Deeply Rooted
By Sharon W. Betters
Today’s Treasure
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.
Dear Friends,
One of the fun parts of writing Daily Treasure is introducing you to our What She Said! guest writers. In this series, we have a mix of return writers and new guests. You’re going to love the insights and thoughtfulness with which each writer shares her perspective on Scripture and the transforming power of Jesus.
Marlys Roos starts off Part 12 of the What She Said! Series. Per her bio, Marlys Roos is Publications Coordinator for the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. She, her husband, and her son live in Atlanta and are members of Perimeter Church. But these few words do not give insight into the heart and passions of Marlys. I met Marlys while co-writing with Susan Hunt the Leader’s Guide for Aging with Grace. Later she oversaw the re-release of the Leader’s Guide for Treasures of Encouragement. Marlys’ careful attention to the details of each of these resources led me to conclude she should be writing and I was delighted when she said yes to being a guest writer for Daily Treasure. I soon learned Marlys also takes seriously the gift of community and enjoys connecting like-minded people. Marlys introduced me to several of our Help & Hope guests, and two of the guest writers for this series are her friends. Marlys believes in community and unleashing the gifts of God’s people to encourage and equip others to walk by faith. Her view of community is deeply rooted in her theology which is threaded throughout each of this week’s devotionals. I especially love her description of the mesquite tree, a tree whose roots sometimes go 200 feet deep and though they may appear gnarled and worthless as they twist around other mesquite trees, they bring value, even to those who hate them. From Marlys, Thursday, Daily Treasure:
“It’s easy to see how mesquites are like the tree described in today’s verse and in Psalm 1:3 which represents those who are rooted deeply to the Source of living water (John 4:10, 14). God often uses the metaphor of plants being rooted to represent those who abide in Him (John 15:4-6). He promises we cannot be uprooted (Prov. 12:3) and that we will flourish, bear fruit, and be full of sap, life-giving sap (Ps. 92:13-15). So, like the seeds that fall on good soil in Matthew 13:8, the mesquite produces good fruit that benefits others, even those that hate them (1 Pet. 3:9).
Like the mesquite, those who are rooted in Christ and His Word can endure the storms of life (Prov. 10:25, Matt. 7:25) and have the hope of resurrection for those who conquer (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 25-27; 3:5, 12, 21). Though the taproot is its main source of strength, the lateral roots also are key in the mesquite’s weathering the winds and storms—just as the covenant community is to the believer. We are to encourage and build up each other (1 Thess. 5:11), gently reprove and restore from sin and bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-2), rejoice and mourn together (Rom. 12:15), and live in unity of the Father and Son (John 17:22). We cannot “do it ourselves.”
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Though there are bigger, more popular trees than mesquites, few are as strong and giving. Twisted, gnarled, and often dwarfed by conditions around them, they continue to thrive by means of strong vertical and lateral roots, and to even enrich the land around them and feed the creatures who rest beneath them. How I long to be like this analogy in God’s creation.”
But Marlys doesn’t stop with the examples of the tumbleweed and mesquites, her words in Saturday’s devotional brought me to tears as she explained the meaning of the Hebrew word Dayenu. I think you will be moved as well.
Thank you, Marlys, for once more sharing your gifts as a way of giving back to others what our great God has given to you.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
More free resources for help, hope, and healing:
MARKINC seeks to help men and women grow in their faith so that they are better equipped to face the trials and suffering that they will encounter in life. In His Grip is the preaching and teaching ministry of Dr. Chuck F. Betters from 45+ years in church ministry. Click to learn more about In His Grip
About The Author: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Sunday, 18 August 2024.
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