The more we grow in God’s grace the more He works through us.

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“And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall
again take root downward and bear fruit upward.” 
Isaiah 37:31 English Standard Version

These trees look like they’re about to fall over to a person who doesn’t understand roots. There are times when the wind batters these Ponderosa Pine trees and yet they stand. And as they stand against these storms, they continue to live and produce pine cones that bring continued life to the Black Forest.

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado
Copyright Douglas P Brauner

The Bible often mentions the “remnant” of God’s people. In the Old Testament those Israelites who remained faithful to God’s covenant were the remnant. This remnant of God’s people bore their roots deep into the abiding love of God and as a result they produced fruit.

God’s Church is the remnant of grace. Our roots stretch deeper and deeper into the mercy of God in Jesus, soaking up nourishment from God’s Word. And as a result we produce fruit that benefits the world.

You’ll notice that Isaiah doesn’t tell the remnant to produce fruit, he says that they will produce fruit. That’s how God’s grace works. The more we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the more that God produces the fruit in us.

It is God who produces his fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

May God’s Spirit grow our roots so that we might produce his fruit.

By the way, these Ponderosa Pine grow strongest when their roots grow together. Just a thought.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner