Vision 2020Sample

Day 10

Thirsty Roots

Job 18:16  Their roots will dry up, and their branches will wither.

How lively and fruitful are your spiritual branches?

Today’s verse addresses the issue of our spiritual vitality. It is taken from the book of Job. A little information about this verse is helpful for our understanding and application of it.

While Job was facing great pain and all kinds of difficulties in life, one of his friends, a man named Bildad, insensitively suggested that Job’s problems were the result of his sin. Although Bildad’s assumptions were wrong and his attitude critical and cruel, his words to Job represent a powerful and important truth. He identified one of the terrible effects of sin; a dry, dehydrated spiritual root system.

Many Christian believers are living in this condition. Their spiritual roots are dry. They are suffering from internal drought. There is little or no growth or fruitfulness in their lives. They have forfeited their peace and joy. As a result of this condition, some withdraw from their spiritual commitments, and others begin to abandon their faith altogether. This condition of spiritual dryness becomes a serious threat to their spiritual well being.

To remedy this condition we need to understand its causes. The nourishment we need to maintain a healthy, growing relationship with God is supplied through our spiritual roots. If we fail to hydrate these roots regularly and properly, we eventually suffer the consequences––we begin to wither and die. Fruitlessness externally is the result of spiritual root problems––dryness and death internally.

It is easy to ignore a root problem. Because it is out of sight, it usually is also out of mind. It takes time for the results of spiritual dehydration to appear. Ultimately the branches that are seen reveal the underground problem that has been hidden. By this time our situation has likely become critical and dangerous. Dry roots result is a weak structure––a tree that is vulnerable to destructive, adverse forces and ravaging insects and diseases.

How do we solve the problem of such dryness of spirit and soul? We must discover God’s watering process.

God has provided a plentiful water supply for us. His presence is this supply. The solution for keeping a healthy, vital spiritual root system that produces flourishing, fruitful branches is found through frequent encounters with God’s presence. As we recognize our need for spiritual hydration, we must make the commitment to cultivate a regular pattern of exposing ourselves to the life-giving, refreshing and renewing presence of God.

Are you spiritually dehydrated? What adjustments do you need to make in your life priorities to make sure you are getting the spiritual water your roots require?