Jeremiah 17:8

“For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots (sheresh: deep, firmness, permanence) by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought (batstsoreth: dearth, destitution) nor cease to yield fruit (periy: reward, produce, offspring).”

SUMMARY

“For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots deep and firm by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought or destitution nor cease to reproduce offspring.”

MEDITATION

Recently I was walking through the woods quite briskly as I came up on a large fallen tree that was laying across the forest floor. I simply saw it ahead, proceeded down my path and jumped upon it in order to pass over it. What I was unaware of was that it was completely soft and rotted out. So, when I landed on it in order to springboard down the path, it crushed beneath my feet. I instantly thought of the spiritual metaphors. This once mighty tree had been uprooted long ago and it had fallen. After laying there dormant and disconnected from its life-giving roots, it had become lifeless, frail and could no longer stand tall and be what it once was. I see things spiritually in the same manner. When one is uprooted from the LORD, the Water, the life-giving Source, spiritual death begins. Years of such disconnect will make one a shell of what they were created to be. Also, be sure that what you are is truly alive. On the outside, the tree appeared to be strong, but in fact was hollow. Today, be assured that you are planted by the Source of life. Establish roots that go deep in Him. He alone keeps us alive.