"I, Jesus , have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star" (Rev. 22:16).

     Roots are the underground anchor for all plants.  They absorb the moisture and mineral nutrients from the soil that help feed the plant.  The roots send the gathered moisture and nutrients to the shoots, laterals, branches, limbs, and trunks of the trees which are above ground.  Roots also store some of the nutrients generated by the leaves and make chemical compounds that help regulate the growth of the foliage.  The health and life of the tree will be according to the health and state of the root.  

     There is now only one root in the whole world that has life in it; it is the Root of Jesse; the root and offspring of David (Isa. 10:11), the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6).  He is the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast (Heb. 6:19).  We all must have this Root within us or we will not be "His Garden" - we will be lost, without life, and without God (Matt. 13:6).  

     If a tree is to grow strong and tall its roots must grow and sink deeply into the ground.  We must grow down if we are to grow up, and be strong.  (Oaks are rooted when the storm blows the hardest.)  

     Pride and self-righteousness are rooted so deeply, and strongly, in our nature that usually only the heart-breaking trials (the Lord's  fertilizer) will get rid of these old rotten roots so that the root of David will grow and make our tree a tree of righteousness - a tree that is the planting of the Lord (Isa. 92:12-14).  

     The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the pain and suffering of today.  God took David's child to cure him of the sin of adultery (II Sam. 12:14).  God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh to cure him of the sin of pride (II Cor. 12:7).  God took all that Job had to cure him of self-righteousness (Job 32:2, 40:4)  Surely we have more cause to bless God for all our troubles  instead of murmuring and complaining when He shows such love to us by killing our sins by means of our trials and chastisements. 

     "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."  If we do this, we shall not only grow like the lily, but we shall be as the cedars of Lebanon, deeply rooted, firm and strong, decaying very slowly and always with a sweet aroma (Hos. 14:5).