Deep Roots Bear Much Fruit

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV)

But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They know that the Lord will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that sends out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ERV)

But blessed is the man who trusts in Me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – never a worry through the hottest summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, MSG)

I love this analogy, as it is a beautiful visual of what God does when we trust in Him. With roots deeply established in Christ, we won’t be swayed by the struggles of this life. In fact, we can continue to bring His good to others, no matter what we are going through, for He nourishes, equips, and strengthens us to fearlessly forge forward with Him. May we ever trust in the Lord and place our confidence in Him, for He is good and His love never fails.

Choose trust in the Lord,

No matter what comes;

For He is enough,

As love overcomes.

The cool in the heat,

True strength when we’re weak;

Abundant blessings,

Are found as we seek.

The Lord is faithful,

As we choose abide;

Our hope and our help,

His arms open wide.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You nourish, refresh, and equip us for all that life brings our way. Thank You that we need not fear struggles or difficulties, for You provide as we abide. Thank You that we can continue to bear fruit in every season as we trust in You. Forgive us for somehow thinking that we are only able to do good when things are going our way. Teach us to trust in You to bless and encourage those around us in the same ways that You do for us. Lead us to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we invest our hearts and lives in You, trusting You to grow our roots deep, and to ever supply what we need to bear Your good fruit. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ my dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and how long and high and deep is the love of Christ. – Ephesians 3:16-18

Strong Roots Sustain

The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends roots out toward a stream, it does not fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, HCSB)

But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They will know that the Lord will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They will have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ERV)

But blessed is the man who trusts Me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, MSG)

When we trust in God, He meets us where we are, and provides what we need, even when our circumstances feel impossible. His presence is like a stream in the desert, for He supplies hope and help and removes the worries we hold when we cannot see a solution to what is before us. God is good, and the blessings found in Him remind us that He is our Provider and Sustainer throughout all our days. May we ever seek the Lord in trust, knowing that He will supply all that we need, as He grows deep roots within us that nourish and water our soul, even when we are in a space of seeming drought. 

When weary and worn,

The Lord is so good;

He meets all our needs,

True hope understood.

Like water in droughts,

His love does provide;

All we are needing,

By grace, He supplies.

So trust in the Lord,

No matter what comes;

He’ll walk beside us,

The true Faithful One.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are so good. Thank You that Your faithfulness remains in every season and circumstance. Thank You that You nourish our roots and help hope to spring forth, for You are our Source and Supply in all things. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations when things seem hopeless or never ending. Thank You that You are greater than all that we face. Teach us to trust You more, for You are forever faithful. Show us how to love and encourage those around us in ways that remove fear and flood with hope. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all things, and witness the beautiful blessings that You supply to sustain and grow us strong in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

Fear is a Liar

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, NIV)

Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the Lord, you will be safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, ERV)

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. – (Proverbs 29:25, MSG)

Fear is a liar. It creeps in and tells us that we are not enough, and that we will never accomplish what we have been called and created to do. When we choose to trust in the Lord, we discover peace, provision and safety. The things that once brought fear can become sources of joy. In Him, we need not be afraid, but rather we can move confidently forward in all that He calls us to do and become. May we choose to listen to the voice of truth, and allow Him to show us how to overcome fears and persevere.

Choose let not the fear,

Of people and things;

Keep us from doing,

What is our calling.

Instead trust the Lord,

Who arms and protects;

Equips success,

As He knows what’s best.

Rise up in freedom,

Choose His strength and song;

Keep pressing forward,

In Christ, carry on.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we need not fear people and their opinions, but rather we need to trust in You. Thank You that we have been created and called with purpose. Forgive us for allowing the opinions of others to give fear a foothold. Show us how to listen to Your voice and trust in the truth of Your word. Teach us to love those around us in a way that encourages trust and chases away fear so that all might persevere. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize the truth of who You are and silence the fears that are not founded in truth. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 118:6

Blessed to Bear Fruit

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV)

But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They know that the Lord will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ERV)

But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, MSG)

Our blessings come through trust in God. When we know that God will do what He says, there is a constant stream of hope to water our soul, no matter what surrounds us. This is especially encouraging, as the days that lie ahead hold much uncertainty, yet we can be assured that God will be with us through all things. More than that, as we trust and rely on God, we bear the fruit of His character to nourish those around us. May we ever trust in the Lord and rely on Him to provide all we need to stand strong, to grow deep roots, and to bear good fruit in every season.

Through the Lord alone,

We find streams of hope;

Nearby to nourish,

And soothe weary souls.

As we trust in Him,

Roots grow deep, secure;

Granting all we need,

To be blessed, endure.

In ev’ry season,

His blessings shall flow;

So we may bear fruit,

Making His love known.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You plant our hearts securely in You and grow our roots deep to water our souls. Thank You that You not only refresh us, but You raise us up to bear good fruit that lasts. Forgive us for the times that we allow the dry stretches to distract us from the promised faithfulness found in You. Teach us to remember our Source, for Your love never stops flowing. Show us how to love those around us in ways that bear good fruit that nourishes souls and point hearts to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to ever deepen our roots and water our weariness so that we bear the fruit of Your love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Deep Roots Bear Fruit

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV)

But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They know that the Lord will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ERV)

But blessed is the man who trusts Me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, MSG)

 

As the need to “shelter in place” grows, so too ought our commitment to trust in the Lord. When we choose to be intentional in our time with God, our confidence in Him grows and our roots gain depth and strength. Deep roots protect us from storms and harsh weather, as depth creates a capacity to continue to draw nourishment and water from what has been firmly established, rather than being tossed to and fro, or uprooted by the unanticipated storms. Incredibly, not only are we able to be nourished ourselves, but we can produce fruit that is beneficial to those around us, as we stay securely planted in Christ. May we seek the Lord in trust, so that we grow confident in Him; ever deepening our roots to nourish and bear fruit in every season.

 

Blessed is the one,

Who trusts in the Lord;

A tree, well planted,

Nourishing reward.

For deep roots are strong,

Always resolute;

Hold fast through the storms,

And keep bearing fruit.

So, let us resolve,

Be planted in Christ;

Secure and fruitful,

Joy in sacrifice.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we trust in You, we gain confidence in who You are and how You love and protect us. Thank You that our trust is like the roots of a tree, growing deep and far-reaching, granting us what we need to weather whatever comes our way. Thank You that the nourishment we receive produces fruit that can be shared with others too. Forgive us for the times that we allow trials to challenge our root system. Teach us to trust You more, so that our roots will be planted so deep, that we will not be shaken by anything that comes our way. Show us how to love well and bear fruit from where we are, however we can. May many come into a lasting, deep-rooted relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we invest in our roots and seek You to bear fruit. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. – Psalm 1:3