Rooted

“It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:8b CSB

So we have come to the end of your memorizing. Do you have it? I am sure you have it nailed.  The last sentence takes what we learned last week; being rooted in Christ takes away “the fear” of everyday difficulties, and extends that truth over the years of our lives. We have now gone from a short period of heat to a year of drought.  Because I don’t have to fear and fear does not control me then worry does not have a chance to set in. You see, fear is the belief that something bad is coming; worry is dwelling on that belief. It is impossible to worry if you have no fear. Our verse tells us that this tree, this Christ-follower, has no fear, so they have no worry; and because their roots are attached to the source of living water even in a drought they will continue to produce fruit. Isn’t that just the way God works? Not only does He provide peace, He also adds blessing. We need to realize that the fruit we produce is the “Fruit of the Spirit,” love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Each of those characteristics has an effect on the people around us. So in the drought that everyone else is facing, we are providing hope and pointing others to the source of our life.
Christ-follower, over the past few months have you found yourself worrying or producing fruit? You have everything you need to produce fruit.

-Pastor Tim