Rooted and Sustained
A PROMISE FOR EVERY SEASON
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
– Psalm 1:1-3
As spring unfolds around us, there’s a renewed sense of life in the world. The days are longer, flowers are blooming, and the earth seems to come alive with color. It’s easy to be reminded of the beauty and fruitfulness that comes with this season.
I love flowers. I really enjoy the whole process of planting and potting them and then enjoying their beauty. This year, I got ambitious and decided to plant some azaleas on a rocky hill behind my house. The ground was tough—full of rocks that made it almost impossible to dig through. But with some help from Lisa and a rented auger, we managed to break through the stubborn earth and get the azaleas planted. After surviving the digging, my biggest concern was whether these beautiful flowers would actually grow well in the soil. So, to help them out, I added a lot of good dirt to the holes to help them thrive, and now I am watering them to give them a good start. But only time will tell if all the hard work will pay off. There is a chance the plants won’t make it because the soil is not conducive to their growth.
Thankfully, when we look at Psalm 1, we see a fantastic promise from God that ensures growth, fruit, and success. As we are about to learn, it's all about where we are planted! In these verses, the psalmist compares a person who delights in God’s law to a tree planted by streams of water. It’s a picture of stability, nourishment, and growth. The tree is rooted, not in barren ground, but in a place of constant sustenance—a source that ensures its vitality and fruitfulness. No matter the season, this tree will flourish because of where it is planted.
The Power of Being Planted by Streams of Water
In the same way, when we root ourselves in God’s Word and delight in His ways, we are planted by streams of living water. This is not just a fleeting blessing but a promise that God’s provision is continual. Just as the tree is nourished by the water, we are sustained by God’s presence.
The imagery of being planted by water in Psalm 1 reminds us that our growth comes from something deeper than the surface. The tree doesn't grow by chance—it is in the right place, with its roots reaching deep into the soil, drawing from the nourishing streams below. Similarly, when we align our lives with God’s Word and seek Him consistently, we, too, are rooted in a source that will always sustain us, no matter the season.
Growth in Its Season
As much as we long for growth, flourishing, and fruit, Psalm 1 also points out an important truth: growth happens in its season. There are seasons in life where growth is abundant, where we can see the results of our efforts, and where joy and blessings seem to pour in effortlessly. These are the spring-like seasons when everything blooms, and we feel aligned with the flourishing picture of Psalm 1.
But not every season will look like spring. There will be times when we experience winter—a season of waiting, of quiet, of hardships that seem to challenge our faith. During these times, it may feel like growth is nowhere to be seen. We may question whether the promises of God are still true for us or whether we’re being overlooked in the midst of our struggles.
However, even in those hard seasons, God is still at work. Like the roots of a tree that grow deeper during the winter months, unseen growth is happening beneath the surface of our lives. In the quiet, in the waiting, in the struggle, God is strengthening, refining, and preparing us for the next season of growth.
Sustained by God's Provision
The beauty of the promise in Psalm 1 is that, in every season, God’s provision can sustain us. Whether it’s a season of abundance or a season of waiting, God’s faithfulness never changes. The tree’s leaf does not wither because it is rooted in a place of constant supply. Similarly, we can find strength in knowing that God's provision is reliable and never-ending, no matter what season we are experiencing.
We may not always understand the timing of growth or the challenges that come with certain seasons, but we can trust that God’s provision is always sufficient. And just as the tree’s fruit is yielded in its season, our faith will bear fruit at the right time—when the season is right.
Thought-Provoking Questions:
In what ways can you root yourself more deeply in God’s Word during this season of your life? How might this affect your growth and fruitfulness?
Are there areas in your life where you are waiting for growth but feeling frustrated by the silence or the slowness? How might God be working beneath the surface to prepare you for future fruitfulness?
When you experience the quieter or harder seasons of life, how can you remind yourself that growth is still happening even when it’s not visible?
What would it look like for you to trust in God's provision and timing during seasons when growth seems to be absent or when it’s difficult to see the fruit of your efforts?
