Standing for a Purpose

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

These trees look like they're about to fall over to person who doesn't understand roots. There are times when these Ponderosa Pine trees are battered by the wind and yet they stand. And as they stand against these storms, they continue to live and produce pine cones that bring continued life to the Black Forest.

"And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward." Isaiah 37:31 English Standard Version

The Bible often speaks of the "remnant" of God's people. In the Old Testament those Israelites who remained faithful to God's covenant were the remnant. This remnant of God's people bore their roots deep into the abiding love of God and as a result they produced fruit.

God's Church is the remnant of grace. Our roots stretch deeper and deeper into the mercy of God in Jesus, soaking up nourishment from God's Word. And as a result we produce fruit that benefits the world.

You'll notice hat Isaiah doesn't tell the remnant to produce fruit, he says that they will produce fruit. That's how God's grace works. The more we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the more that God produces the fruit in us.

It is God who produces his fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

May God's Spirit grow our roots so that we might produce his fruit.

By the way, these Ponderosa Pine grow strongest when their roots grow together. Just a thought.

Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.