A Shelter in the Time of Storm

“Faith must be strong or love will not be fervent; the root of the flower must be healthy or we cannot expect the blossom to be glorious. Faith is the plant's root, and love is the plant's blossom.” – C.H. Spurgeon

“Do palm trees blow over easily?” my mother asked me the other day.

“No,” I replied, “they have a very unique root system that allows them to withstand high winds… and even most hurricanes. God also made palm trees to bend, not break, when hurricane-force winds start howling,” I added.

Unintentionally, my mother’s question and my matter-of-fact answers illustrated several important spiritual truths, the first of which was mentioned in Charles Spurgeon’s quote today. Simply put, a plant or a tree is only as strong as its roots are deep. And yes, when life’s tempestuous winds inevitably start to blow, we need to lean into – and onto – God’s Word and His promises to weather the storm.

In the meantime, here are a few related verses that I trust will prove helpful on this subject…

“A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3 (BSB)

“Some [seeds] fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.” Matthew 13:5-6 (NKJV)

“Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 (NKJV

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (BSB)

“Because of unbelief they [the unbelieving Jews] were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.” Romans 11:20 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President

(See also Matthew 7:24-27)