“Stand firm by faith in the shade of your Savior, rest, and go deep.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 11, 2024
So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3
My favorite gift is from my wife, Rita. It is a circular metallic piece of art about thirty inches in circumference, with the outline of a massive oak tree as the roots are buried deep underneath the ground’s surface. And written in bold and black on the back, “An oak of righteousness planted by the Lord to glorify Him!” She remembered me describing my experience at Mepkin Abbey outside of Charleston, South Carolina, where I walked and prayed for five days among the 300-acre landscape captivated by a choir of live oak trees praising their Creator. The Holy Spirit impressing my heart, “Go deep in Me and My word to stand firm by faith in Jesus.” An oak planted by God stands firm, bringing glory to the Creator of all good and beautiful!
Saplings are swayed back and forth by the slightest breeze and easily uprooted. But a mature oak tree is deeply rooted in the soil. Its roots stretch wide and deep, anchoring it securely, even when strong winds blow and storms rage. The tree’s trunk is thick, strong, and unyielding, standing tall through seasons of drought and heavy rains. The oak’s branches reach high, offering shelter and shade to those who seek refuge. In the same way, a person who is an “oak of righteousness” stands firm in God’s truth. Their roots are deep in faith, nourished by God’s Word and sustained by His grace. Though life’s storms may come—trials, temptations, or hardships—they remain steadfast, unwavering in their trust in God. Like the oak, their life bears witness to the strength and stability of being firmly planted in God’s righteousness. Are you a sapling or an oak?
Your faith journey may sometimes feel like a weak sapling, fragile and bending under the weight of every gust of wind. You worry—will it survive the storm? Doubt creeps in, and the roots struggle to hold. But in due time, seasons transition, and with each prayer whispered and Scripture read, your roots grow deeper. Storms still come, but now, you’re not swayed as easily. You’re becoming an oak—strong, steady, and unshakable. The winds of doubt howl, but your faith stands firm, rooted in God’s promises. You’ve been through enough to know that though storms will rage, they won’t break you. You are no longer a sapling. You are an oak, standing firm in the strength of God’s love. Go deep in intimacy, and the Lord will grow your influence.
Psalm 1:3 rings true, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Keep your life rooted in God’s love, sustained by the truth of His Word. Christ, the living water, sustains you, feeding your soul with grace and wisdom. The storms of life will come, but your roots hold fast, drawing strength from His loving presence. You don’t just survive—you thrive, branches stretching wide to offer shade and shelter to others. Your leaves remain green, even in drought, nourished by the truth. This is the life Jesus Christ offers—a life planted by living water, rooted deeply in love, unshakable, and flourishing in every season. Stand firm by faith in the shade of your Savior, rest, and go deep.
Prayer
Lord, I ask that You take me deeper into Your love and Word. Let the roots of my faith grow strong and steady, anchored in Your truth. Nourish my soul with Your presence, so I may stand firm in every season and bear fruit that glorifies You. Amen.
Application
Where is the Lord calling you to go deeper in His love and Word?
Related Reading
Jeremiah 17:7-8; Isaiah 37:31; John 15:5; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 2:6-7
Worship Resource
Keith & Kristyn Getty: My Worth is Not in What I Own
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