March 19
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing to declare the Lord is upright.
Psalm 92:13-15
I haven't even opened the book, but I like the idea of being fresh and flourishing for the Lord in old age!
"If we keep changing the place where we are planted,
we will never grow spiritually the way God intends."
Yesterday, as we waded through the grief related to our daughter facing a miscarriage, the lab results for our daughter in law in relation to her pregnancy, and a couple other shocking bits of news, my husband tossed up to me a quote of mine…."Life is a lot." Yes, it is, so we trust in the Lord, cling to each other and keep on keeping on knowing heaven is coming and we have lessons to learn in the waiting.
Bevere's writes boldly about the importance of us being planted in the "house of the Lord." He relates our hopping around trying to find the perfect church home or relationships where people agree with everything we say, to how deadly constant uprooting and transplanting of a plant can be. We have to put down roots and weather some storms to grow and mature.
Listen to what he says: "Many people go from church to church, ministry team to ministry team, trying to develop their ministry. If God puts them in a place where they are not recognized and encouraged, they are easily offended. If they don't agree with the way something is done, they are offended and go somewhere else. Offended people uproot themselves, complain, blame the leadership, and never realize their own flaws. God continues to refine and mature us by increasing pressure in the areas where we need to grow. If we keep changing the place where we are planted, we will never grow spiritually the way God intends. Thank God for the church He has planted you in and ask Him to mature and prosper you there."
Let's pray:
Father, life is complicated. Our hearts are easily wounded. Yet, you know all this and your Word leaves so many teachable moments on how to persevere along the path and become more like Christ on the journey. Grow our roots deeper in the places you have planted us, so we may weather the storms. May we not be wishy washy people who pull up roots and run for softer soil. We do give you thanks for the establishment of the church. Create in us hearts which are assets to the Body of Believers, building one another up, serving and giving in joy and coming into your presence with passionate worship. In Jesus' Name, Amen
