Anchored Against Adversity

The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place

  (Job 27:21)

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The evening news was full of reports of the devastating effects of a record-breaking rainfall in our area.  Property damage was estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars as houses stood up to their roofs in muddy water, cars were submerged, and myriad items from port-a-potties to lawn furniture were swept away in the swift current of flood waters. Many were left homeless; some had even lost their lives.  Everything in the low-lying areas had been affected.

Then came a report of damage at a residence far above the flood level where one would never have expected it.  The homeowners, hearing a tremendous crash, ran outside to find a 40 ft. tree had fallen across their driveway, flattening their two cars parked beside it.

There had been no warning that the tree was in danger of falling.  It looked healthy, full-leaved and green.  But in its fallen state, the cause was evident.  The huge tree had virtually no root system.  Obviously, all its growth had been surface, leaving it without the means of an anchor.  Under adverse conditions, the tree had been vulnerable to destruction all along.

This picture describes the lives of many people.  Outwardly, they appear successful, well-rounded and secure.  But in reality, when the adversities of life assail, not being rooted in Christ, they topple over, bringing grave consequences to themselves and others.

What kept the tree from developing a proper root system may never be known, but apparently an adequate supply of moisture near the surface had made it unnecessary for its roots to go deeper in search of nourishment.  All its energy had gone into growing long branches and thick foliage which, in the end, aided in its downfall.

So it is in life.  When only favorable circumstances occur, making it possible to grow outward and upward, there is no anchor when adversity strikes.  This is even true in the life of Christians who, after being born into God’s kingdom, are content to remain on the surface, never growing deeper in their relationship to Him.

None of us welcomes droughts in our lives, in our relationships, churches or jobs. Yet, it is at those times when it is vital to go to God’s Word in search of strength and reassurance; when we are drawn into closer communication with Him, that our root system is developed, anchoring us more firmly in the assurance of His loving faithfulness:

According to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God  (Ephesians 3:16-19)

                                                 I do not want to be shallow, Dear Lord,
                                                 content just to drink of Your dew;
                                                 so send my roots deeper in search of Your truths,
                                                 that I may be anchored in You.