The Benefits of a Deep Root System
Planted by the Water
The Hebrew word for planted is shathal. This verb means:
1) (Qal) to plant, transplant
When we were born again, we received a transplant of the heart from God.
Our Strength provided us with new roots that began to deepen in the living water of Christ.
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." ~ John 7:38 (NIV)
The Greek word for living is zaō. This verb means:
1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2) to enjoy real lifea) to have true life and worthy of the nameb) active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God
3) to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and actinga) of mortals or character
4) living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) metaph. to be in full vigour
a) to be fresh, strong, efficient,
b) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
I love this description of water. It describes the type water I want my heart to have it's roots in. Because this water is active, blessed, and endless in the kingdom of God, I know my roots will be well-nourished. It inspires me to be fresh, strong and efficient and gives me hope that I can continue to be so, even when times are tough.
Roots That Run Deep
Our roots were sent out toward the waters of grace and mercy given by God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word for sent is the verb shalach, which means, in part:
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
a) (Qal)
1) to send
2) to stretch out, extend, direct
The Hebrew word for roots, mentioned in the verse above, is sheresh. It means:
1) roota) root (literal)
b) root (of people involving firmness or permanence) (fig)
c) root, bottom (as lowest stratum) (fig)
Just as the tree's roots do, our roots reach deep into the true Living Water. They are strong and firm and have permanence.
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." ~ John 10:28 (NIV)
Fearless
Because the tree (our hearts) are planted by the living water, we have no need of fear when the heard times come. During times of drought, we should have enough of the living water stored up within us to see us through. Our leaves should always be green, bearing fruit for Christ. We should have confidence, not fear, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.
The Hebrew word for The Hebrew word for not fear is actually the word for see. Ra'ah means:
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
a) (Qal)
1) to see
2) to see, perceive
3) to see, have vision
4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
6) to look at, gaze at
b) (Niphal)
1) to appear, present oneself
2) to be seen
3) to be visible
c) (Pual) to be seen
d) (Hiphil)1) to cause to see, show
2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
e) (Hophal)
1) to be caused to see, be shown
2) to be exhibited to
f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
I went through an eight year period of infertility. During this time, I was able to pray because my roots were planted deep. The waters seemed to dry up around me and I felt at odds, but I was sustained. I read God's Word every morning and prayed diligently for myself and for others further into my journey. Then the pregnancy and miscarriage came. Had I not stored up during that 8 year period, I would have been in deep trouble, my friends. I cannot tell you the internal pain I went through at the loss of Sydney Michel. I could try to explain it but it was so intense and personal that I could not do it justice. When I was unable to even think clearly, God sustained me. I felt His peace and comfort and was able to make it through the hard times. I was able to survive on the water my roots had soaked up and subsist on the promises of God's Word. One year and eight months later, I had a hysterectomy. Finality. I would never bear fruit from my womb, but I clung to the promises of God.
"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD." ~ Psalm 113:9 (NIV)
Don't Worry, Be Happy
The Hebrew word for no worry is da'ag. This verb means:
1) to fear, be anxious, be concerned, be afraid, be careful
a) (Qal)
1) to be anxious, be concerned
2) to fear, dread
No matter what our circumstances are, like the tree whose roots are planted by the water, we have no cause to be fearful, anxious or concerned.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:9 (NIV)
We can count on God to meet our needs during springtime and drought. Our hearts should never fail to bear His fruit when we trust in His Word and store it up inside us like the roots of the tree do the water.
His Word Never Fails
The Hebrew word for never fails is muwsh. This verb means:
1) to depart, remove
a) (Qal)
1) to depart
2) to remove
3) to be removed (of inanimate objects)
b) (Hiphil) to remove, depart
We can trust God never to depart from us and we can trust Him not to remove the promises of His Word from us.
Later in my life I saw the promises of Psalm 113:9 fulfilled in my life. I praised God for the privelege of raising my bonus daughter in our home with her father from the time we married until Kristyn married. I received immense joy in seeing her grow from age 6 to 20. She matured and grew into a sweet young woman. Now she has gifted us with two precious grandsons, Nolan and Liam. Further still, I am an aunt to Blake, Reese, Kaci, Austin, Tyler, Ashley, and Ethan. I remembered the order of their birth! Blake, Reese, Tyler and Ashley are Steve's brother's children. Kaci and Austin are Steve's sister's children. More recently, I was blessed with my first biological nephew. My sister's son Ethan was born August 19, 2008. He is a doll. Further still, I am surrounded by children when I go to my grandmother's. Jimmy & Susan have James and John. Lee & Paige have Jackson and Gracie and Baby Noah is due to make his appearance any day now. While I am not a biological mother to these children, God has surely settled me in my home and I am happy! I pray that my influence, larger on those closer to me and smaller on those farther away, will move them closer to Christ.
Bearing Fruit
The tree mentioned in the verse above always bears fruit no matter what. We have seen that in all seasons of life we grow through, we can bear fruit if our roots are deeply planted by the water. I love the definitions for bear. We can only bear by God's strength, and it is up to us to drink deep from the Source.
The Hebrew word for bear is `asah. This verb means:
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
a) (Qal)
1) to do, work, make, producea) to do
b) to work
c) to deal (with)
d) to act, act with effect, effect
2) to make
a) to make
b) to produce
c) to prepare
d) to make (an offering)
e) to attend to, put in order
f) to observe, celebrate
g) to acquire (property)
h) to appoint, ordain, institute
i) to bring about
j) to use
k) to spend, pass
b) (Niphal)
1) to be done
2) to be made
3) to be produced
4) to be offered
5) to be observed
6) to be used
c) (Pual) to be made
2) (Piel) to press, squeeze
The Hebrew word for fruit is pĕriy. It means:
1) fruit
a) fruit, produce (of the ground)
b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb)
c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)
What an incredible promise from God! Despite our condition, we can truly honor God by yielding fruit.
Wrap Up
Questions for Reflection: Are your roots deeply planted? Do you find it difficult to bear fruit even in the "off" seasons of life? If you aren't sure about the first question, why not email me at
Verse for the Day: "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." ~ Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that You have given us. I rejoice in the promises held in it and learn so much life application from it. Keep me thristy for You and keep my roots growing deep. Help me to bear fruit even in the off seasons and to always draw from Your Living Water. Thank You so much for Jesus. In His Name I pray, Amen.
P - Purpose in your heart to stay near God. "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." ~ Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
L - Lean on God's promises. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
A - Ask God for the things you need to help you bear fruit. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." ~ Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
N - Nourish your roots with the Word of God. "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees." ~ Psalm 119:10-12 (NIV)
T - Take heart in the coverage of the Vine. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5 (NIV)
E - Encourage one another in the Word. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." ~ 1 Thessaloniains 5:11 (NIV)
D - Deal with the weeds in life so they don't choke out the root system. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Note: This post originally ran 04.15.09
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