HOUSE OF ROBERTS BLOG

I read through my Bible every year, I believe in that discipline, and God speaks to me through my Bible reading; with that said, there are a few books in the Bible that are very challenging for me to read through. I’m looking right at you Leviticus! Another one of those books for me is Job, there is a lot going on in that book that messes with me, but with that said there is a verse that I came across that I wanted to share with you.

Job 14:7-9 says, “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.”

This verse paints this picture of a tree that is in bad shape. It should be this massive tree with branches and leaves. It should be providing shelter for those who need it, it should be producing fruit and seeds that can be used to plant other trees. It should be playing a part in the ecosystem that it finds itself in. Yet that is not the case with this tree; this tree has been completely cut down, and its roots are all dried up. There are no branches, no fruit, no purpose; it’s just a stump. However, there is still hope. It’s not over for this tree, in fact, the verse says that at even the scent of water, it will begin to grow back. 

Dad, you were meant to be this incredible tree in your family. One that provides protection and nourishment for your family. One that would produce little seedlings called children that will become their own trees someday. You are here because you are part of this bigger plan that God has for the earth. Some of you though, don’t look like that. You look or feel more like a tree that has been cut down, whose root system has been dried up. You lack purpose for this life, and you struggle to be what your wife and children need you to be. 

I’m not sure how you got there, maybe it’s because of what someone did to you or what someone did not do for you. Maybe it’s because of horrible words that were spoken over you or because of what you saw growing up. Maybe it’s because of some bad decisions that you made. No matter the reason, if you feel like you are living less than your God-given potential, then these words are for you, “…there is hope…”

There is hope for you Dad, and your life doesn’t have to stay like this. There is so much more that God has for you, and all you need is the scent of water. Throughout the Bible Jesus talks about water, He says things like, “Whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty…” and, “Whoever believes in me will flow rivers of living water…” Bottom line, a relationship with Jesus is necessary if I want to be the man/tree that I need to be.

Why do I read and live my life according to the Bible? Why do I go to church? I’m a tree, and my roots need the water that comes only through a relationship with Jesus. I don’t know all that you’ll need to do in order to grow into a tree again, but I do know that it starts with Jesus. There is more for you, Dad. Keep fighting, keep believing, keep going…There is hope!