A few years ago I planted a row of spruce pines to the east of our home for a couple of reasons. One to keep the dust from a neighboring field from blowing onto our house. The other reason was to keep the wind down.
They were just about 3 feet high when I bought them because, smaller the tree smaller the price. It was early Spring and the March wind was really aggres-sive. To keep them from blowing over I drove wooden stakes beside them and tied them up with string. I returned to the Garden Center where I bought them to pick up some other shrubbery and told the salesman I had to stake those spruce pines up because of the wind blowing them over. He said that they didn't need to be supported by a wooden stake because the roots will not take hold and stand on their own with support. He also said, that is what the March wind is for so that it will make them strong and healthy.
The moment he said that I thought about Psalm 1.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper
Water is a symbol of God's word and every child of God has been planted by that water. Some feed and drink by that water and are nourished and grow in His word. Some come to God to find the promise of salvation but, never grow. Those are the ones that when that wind or troubles of life comes are tossed from side to side and sometimes fall. But, when God's children drink and feed from His word the Bible says they will bring forth fruit and their leaves will never wither.
We live in a time that divorce is at an all time high, jobs are stressful or maybe stress comes because some can't find a job. Our children and grandchildren feel the stress of their parents, don't think for a minute that those little ones aren't paying attention. When the parents are under stress, it shows in the whole family. Maybe they don't understand why their parents argue or have shouting matches but, they understand hurt, they understand feeling distant love and unstable relationship.
How can Christian families be stable in and unstable world? By staying in God's word feeding and drinking from it regularly. Going to a good Bible based church together.
A little old lady was amazed at how nice the young man was next door. Every day he would help her gather things from her car or help her in her yard. One day, the old lady finally ask the young man, "Son, how did you become such a fine young man?"
The young man replied, "Well, when I was a boy, I had a drug problem."
The old lady was shocked. "I can’t believe that."
The young man replied, "It’s true. My parents drug me to church on Sunday morning, drug me to church on Sunday night and drug me to church on Wednesday night."
Troubles are still going to come to the Christian family but, when they put their faith and trust in God each day maybe they will get tossed around sometimes but, never fall.
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller
www.themillersbiblestudy.com
