Firm

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
FIRM

Prov 12:3
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
NIV
It appears there is one more reason to be considered by God as righteous. It does remind me of the tree of Psalm one or for that matter an orchard of trees. A wicked person just does not stand a chance to get roots firmly planted by the stream of living water. I don’t think a wicked person is even trying to establish his root system near then stream, so as to draw nourishment from it. I would think a wicked person, and again, this is God’s definition, or classification, not mine, even wants to have his roots established by the stream of living water. But it is the choice of the righteous to be rooted near this stream, this living water, the Word of God. What else could provide the life giving nourishment? Now, I think this saying offers a couple of thoughts. One idea I see is that no matter how life happens, that is the tough times, trials, temptations, storms, drought or whatever, as long as I am rooted, established in the Word of God, I will not be shaken, or uprooted. There is no outside influence which can tear me from my place beside still waters. I am firmly established in the family of God. I am firmly planted in his garden of paradise. The other view I could take from this is my eternal security as being one of the righteous. I do not believe in eternal security as never ever not losing out, as I believe I can uproot myself and simply walk away from the stream of living water. But as long as I have chosen to stay there, drawing the nourishment from God, than I am secure in my place within the Kingdom of God. Either way, I am one of the righteous; I am firmly established in the Kingdom of God. I am drawing nourishment from him and as such I will not be uprooted. Yes, there are times when the wind blows and I am blown around a bit. Yes there are times, when my leaves are shaken, and the fruit is not so nice to taste. Once again I must admit imperfection. But I am still planted next to the stream and my roots are deep within. If I concentrate on all the attempts to destroy me, I might think it is possible, but if I keep my focus on the Word of God, I know it is not possible for anything to uproot me, even my imperfection. I am firmly established by God.