MEDITATIONS FROM PROVERBS

 

May 16 , 2007                                   Reading: Proverbs 12:1-12

 

"But the root of the righteous cannot be moved” Proverbs 12:3

 

From this verse, my soul, you should take great comfort for it speaks of the security of those who love the Lord. Be particularly blessed by the fact that it is the root that is secure and cannot be moved. The part of a tree that is above the ground is often buffeted by the wind, its branches break off, its buds and fruit destroyed by frost but the roots are firm.

During your walk with Christ you will frequently be buffeted about by the “world, the flesh and the devil” and to varying degrees your branches and fruit will be affected. Paul wrote to the Corinthians “To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless” 1 Corinthians: 4:11. Now, very few are called upon to experience such things, but the key here is in the next verse “Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure.” To many “My grace is sufficient for you” is the source of their strength and endurance but to others, they choose to turn their back on God in preference to enduring these things.

The wonderful truth is, my soul, that no matter how badly damaged the branches and fruit become, even to the point of being broken off, the root remains firm. In nature there are times when the roots are disturbed and are yanked out of the ground, but the promise of God is “the root of the righteous cannot be moved.” I live in an area where apple orchards occupied every spare inch of the land, but, more and more, the land is being sold to developers and instead of orchards there are expensive homes and condominiums. That will never happen in the God’s orchard. The root of the righteous will remain firm.

Referring to the Godly person, David writes,

 

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth her fruit in due season, whose leaf shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper” Psalm:1:3.

 

The roots of your relationship with God are firmly established in the Person of Jesus Christ. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” Colossians 2:6-7, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love...” Ephesians 3:17.

As one who has had his branches pruned to such an extent that barely a trunk could be seen (my decision, not God’s) I testify to all who read these words that God is faithful and my roots were not moved or disturbed in any way. After twenty-three years of spiritual decay God, in His love and grace, brought about the resurgence of life from that root that most believed to be rotting under the cover of the earth.

Just as quickly as the fig tree withered away at the command of Jesus, so just as quickly He can cause it to grow, mature, and bring forth fruit. He can bring a withered tree into full fruit without going through the process of time. He can speak and the dead come to life; He only has to say the word and water is turned into wine. After all, He is the One who said “Let there be light, and there was light.” Is He then not capable of causing life to spring from that which appeared dead?

Oh yes, the root is not moved no matter how strong the winds of adversity try to destroy the tree. You are rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ and He will not permit your foundation to be uprooted. You are His possession, you have been grafted into His root and as such He will never allow you to be moved.

Recognizing this, how much therefore should you stand in the face of depression and disappointment, looking always to Him who rose from the dead? Nothing looked more helpless and hopeless than when Jesus hung on the cross, a beaten, torn and bloody mess, but three days later He rose from the dead victorious over everything that tried to annihilate Him. This One is our Protector.