Deep Roots

(Prov 12:3 NLT) Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.

This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon contrasts the stability (or lack thereof) of the wicked and the Godly. The Father, through Solomon, wants us to know that a wicked life, a life without Him, is never really a stable life. It may seem stable from time to time, it may seem like the ungodly are getting ahead, but in the long run, their wickedness will eventually catch up to them.

We all know people who cheat to get ahead. Some place a “white lie” on their resume, or fudge a little on their taxes, or overcharge clients to make a bigger profit, or… you get the point. Then there are those that are not subtle at all. They seek success by any means necessary and they don’t care how many people they have to step on to get it.

They disregard their family, disrespect coworkers, and kiss-up to leadership, all to seemingly get ahead. The problem is that although they might enjoy apparent success, whatever success they think they have will only be temporary, because they bought their success at the expense of their character. Those with flawed character will eventually be found out.

Real success maintains personal integrity on the road to achieve it. Later in Proverbs Solomon says, “There is a way that may seem right to a man. But in the end it leads to death” (14:12). These people may think they are on the right road, they may believe there are OK, but they have been deceived. Success without God is not true success.

Yesterday we learned about Joshua 1:8 and that is what I call “God’s formula for success.” The Bible actually calls it “Good success.” If there is good success, then there must bad success, and bad success is success that is obtained through wicked means. This success is deceptive and it will only be temporary. If you want to live a strong, stable, and secure life, seek success God’s way.

This leads us to the latter portion of the text where Solomon tells us that the Godly have deep roots. This is obviously a reference to a deep-rooted tree. Another translation spells it out, saying: “You will be as secure as a tree with deep roots.” One of the best pictures of this deep-rooted Godly success is found in the 1st Psalm. The psalmist describes what he calls, “The Blessed Man.” The Blessed Man is a man that seeks success God’s way. He does not heed the counsel of the ungodly. He does not spend quality time with persons of flawed character. But what he does is spend quality time in God’s Word. He meditates on the Word continually and the psalmist likens him to a tree that is planted by the rivers of water. This tree has a constant supply of what it needs to grow (God’s Word), therefore, it is full of green leaves, it brings forth lots of fruit in season, and whatever it seeks to do prospers!

This is the type of success that you and I want – it’s success God’s way. Godly success is not deceptive and it is not temporary. Although we don’t know for sure what type of tree the psalmist had in mind when he wrote this, many believe it was a reference to a palm tree. A palm tree that is planted by a water source is able to develop an exceptionally strong root system. Storms can come, winds can blow, and the tree will still stand. Some palm trees have even bent over to where the palms touch the ground, but because of the deep roots, they simply bounce back up again!

So what does this mean to you today? It means if you have not attained success by God's standards, you have not achieved true success. The wicked are never stable. Their wickedness will eventually catch up to them, but if you have Godly success, you will be able to stand the test of time. Come what may, you will bounce back, because you have deep roots!

Father, I know that it is Your desire that I live a strong, stable, and secure life in You. To ensure that I do, I will pursue success Your way. I am the Blessed Man. I do not heed the counsel of the ungodly. I do things Your way and I experience Your results. I do not spend quality time with persons of flawed character. I surround myself with people of like-precious-faith. I meditate on Your Word and I allow Your standard to be the ruler by which I judge every decision. I become like a tree planted by the rivers of water. I have deep roots and I am able to withstand any storm – by faith! I may bend, but I will not break! In Jesus’ name. Amen!