A Heart Abiding in God's Word -- Part 2

Our Heavenly Father loves you and me so much that He desires that we spend time with Him. In addition, He has created a deep need in each one of us -- a need for Him. Therefore, it is necessary for us to slip away and be alone with God, especially when the pressures of life mount. When we place Him at the top of our list of priorities, He then chooses to bless us beyond measure.

As we take a look at Isaiah 58:11 in the Message Bible, notice how God describes the blessings that will be poured out upon those who seek after God in the right ways.

"I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places - firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry."

As women of God, we draw life from God's Word just as surely as a healthy fruit tree draws nourishment from its hidden root system. Let's consider two more facts about this vital part of a tree that grows downward into the soil.

3. Roots are for storage.

As we soak in needed refreshment from God's Word, He creates in us a reservoir of hope and strength in Him. Then, when times are rough, we won't be depleted. We won't dry up, disintegrate, or die. Instead, we will simply reach down into our hidden reservoir of refreshment and draw out what we need right now from what God has given us.

4. Roots are for support.

Without a well-developed root system, we become top heavy -- lots of leafy, heavy foliage appears above ground but nothing supports it from underneath. Without a network of strong roots, sooner or later we have to be staked up, tied up, propped up, straightened up -- until the next wind comes along and we fall over again! However, with firm healthy roots, no wind can blow us down.

We know that the healthiness and strength of a tree is dependent upon the root system. In the same way, our spiritual healthiness and power is dependent upon what goes on "underground" in the quiet solitude of time spent with the Lord. This is where the beginning of abiding takes place; this is where our relationship with God thrives; this is where the real work is done.