Isaiah 43:2-3

Philip Gulley, one of my most enjoyable authors, once wrote about a neighbor who planted several trees, but refused to water them. He planted oaks, and every morning he would beat them with a rolled-up newspaper. Smack! Slap! Pow! When Philip asked him why he did that, he said it was to get their attention. “Trees that weren’t watered had to grow deep roots.” Years later he wrote: “The trees are granite strong now.”

Psalms 1 speaks of the person who is like a tree planted by the rivers of water. That person is disciplined and willing to do what is right in the sight of God; and that person is blessed with a granite strong faith.

I pray that our roots go deep; but there is little use to pray for that if we are not willing to pay the price. I would like to avoid the storms of life, but if we walk with Jesus, we may walk toward them. It is in the storms where we often find our strength as our roots go deeper into the sustaining heart of God. There are depths of love and grace that we might never know until we face the billowing winds and waves.

We all know those dear saints who faced more than their share of hardships and trials; and who found the well of living water that put back everything (and more) that troubles took away. They found the true power of the Holy Spirit: the power to be witnesses that Christ is alive and greater than anything we will ever face; and best of all, God is with us.

We may not prevent the storm, but neither will it destroy our faith. The Gospel song encourages us when we find ourselves wearing out our soul trying to shield the approaching trials.

“It’s not in trying but in trusting
It’s not in running but in resting
Not in wondering but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord”