Dwell | PsalmsSample

Deeply Rooted

Introduction

Hi, this is Viv. Welcome to Dwell.

For the next few minutes, I invite you to join me as we recenter upon the Lord by opening our hearts to hear from him through the words of Scripture.

Thanks for joining us.

Silence

As we begin, let's sit in silence for a moment, seeking to be attentive to the presence of God, the one in whom we live, move, and have our being.

Passage

Psalm 1:1-3

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (NLT)

Exhortation

I’ve always been a bit of a biology geek. I’m drawn into the details of creation — the fingerprints of God’s mastermind tucked away in the beauty all around us. Trees are a mystery of complicated systems, all working together quietly behind the scenes. Since a tree can’t walk to the water cooler for a drink of water, or raise its arm to sip from a glass, God built systems of transportation right into the roots and trunks of trees that do all the work of drinking! I love walking in a forest and reminding myself that I’m in the midst of giants, quietly sipping water from the deep underground.

And if you’re a plant lover, you know that the way to tell when plants are thirsty is by their leaves. When they start getting saggy, you know it’s time to grab the watering can.

Take a moment to imagine your life as a tree planted by the river of God’s life. What kind of tree would you be? Imagine the limbs stretching out with their branches towards the sky, thousands of leaves flapping in the breeze. And fruit! What kind of fruit do you imagine your tree growing?

In Psalm 1, we get to imagine our lives as a tree rooted in the riverbank of God’s life when we find joy in the ways of God. His Kingdom — his way of ordering right living — is what we usually refer to as “the law of the Lord.” As we keep company with Holy Spirit and his followers, we find ourselves further and further away from the influence of people who twist and bend and mock the ways of God.

Imagine your life as a tree again: soaking up the goodness of God’s ways, which fill your limbs with power. Up into your branches, the righteousness of God’s guidance fuels your growth. Each of the delicate leaves of your life that captures the light of His love is bright and alive. And fruit! When you find your life in Christ, you find yourself flourishing with nourishment to share: showing mercy, sharing forgiveness, offering kindness, and giving love. You were made to be a tree full of life, rooted in Christ.

Whatever part of your tree has wilting leaves today, ask Holy Spirit to lead you in meditating on His Word of Life, that will revive your tired branches. What scripture might He be guiding you towards to give a drink to your thirsty soul. Walk away from company that keeps you from giving your full focus to God’s goodness — His Word & His Kingdom. You don’t need to go anywhere to get a drink, you just need to root yourself in the life of God. Yes! May you find delight there.

Active Response

In response, let's return to the truth from today's passage one more time and spend a moment in quiet reflection:

I flourish in God when I root myself in His truth.

Closing Prayer

What a great gift, dear Lord, that I get to plunge my roots into the life-giving power of your Word. My delight is in discovering the hidden source of life that fuels my being. Show me how to send my roots down deeper into You. Reveal to me the parts of myself that don’t fully yield to your company — where I might need to cut off influences that don’t honor you. May the fruit of my life be plentiful. I want to share the good things that grow in my life with those around me who hunger and thirst for right living. Yes! Let me be that tree by streams of living water. Yes!

Outro

Now, go in peace, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.