Psalm 1:3 suggests that someone who relies on God is like a tree planted by water--refreshed, alive, and fruitful. The verse suggests an earthly embodiment of resilience as the tree's roots are firmly planted and receive nourishment during difficulties.
Of course, my first thought goes to the Sac River that is visible from my seat as I write this. It's an Ozarks stream—verdant and spring-fed—surrounded by woods and ridges. It is similar to those in Appalachia. Except for periods of early spring flooding and torrential storms, flora and fauna thrive there much of the year.
But if I pause to consider the geology of the rivers of the Ancient Near East in which the Psalms were set, the similarities stop. Those waterways are more reminiscent of the streams of the American desert southwest.
The biblical rivers were desert streams called wadis. These dry river beds rushed and tumbled over rocky beds as sudden storms brought a deluge of water. After the flow subsided, only the moisture that had settled deep below the surface remained available to sustain life. The result was an oasis in the desert instead of a lush forest. Plants on these banks required deep roots to survive.
Later as my mind was ruminating on the topic of rootedness, I stumbled upon a succulent that hadn't been watered for a while. The plant was still very much alive albeit a bit shriveled as it extended its roots into the air to bring in life giving sustenance from the unseen moisture there. The plant was Divinely Designed for that.
So, what about all this talk about roots? Deep roots keep me alive, grounded, and fruitful. However, even when I am not actively seeking God, I, too, find sustenance as the Divine Presence is as near as the air itself.
Questions:
Where do you find deeply rooted sustenance?
Are you comforted by knowing that God is as near as the air you breathe?
Do you wonder if God is present even when you aren’t seeking God?