Get Rooted

You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

A number of years ago, we held a Harvest Crusade in Colorado. When we arrived, it was around 70 degrees, and the sun was shining. Our crusade was to begin the next evening. But as we watched the news that night, we learned that a cold front was moving in. The next morning, there was snow on the ground. That is how quickly the weather can change in a place like Colorado. The sun is shining, and the next thing you know, there's a blizzard.

That is how life can be as well. Everything is looking great, when all of a sudden, a storm cloud appears. Something horrible happens.

That is why the Bible tells us, "Establish your hearts . . . " (James 5:8). Another way to translate this verse is, "Strengthen and make firm your inner life." The same word is used to describe Jesus' attitudes and actions when He headed for Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there: "When the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Jesus, being God, had full knowledge of all that was about to unfold, yet He resolutely set out for Jerusalem. That is the same meaning behind the word "establish" in James 5:8.

God wants us to be rooted and grounded, yet many Christians are not. They have not taken the time to develop the habit of personal Bible study or the discipline of prayer or even regular church attendance. But God is saying we need to get rooted, because our faith will be challenged. We will face hardship. And a storm can come, just when we're least expecting it.

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