Go Deeper: A Year In The Word
This past Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon on Psalm 19:7-11[1]:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
— Psalm 19:7-11
It was especially timely for me, because despite how often I read the word, I've been feeling a pull to go deeper—to be more firmly rooted in it.
This made me reflect on the name of my blog: Rooted in the Word. Why did I choose this title? And why is it important not just to know the word, but to be truly rooted in it?
To answer, I took a trip back to the scripture on my homepage:
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
— Colossians 2:6-7
The word rooted here comes from the Greek word rhizoó.
Definition: To root, to cause to take root, to become stable.
Meaning: To plant, fix firmly, establish.
Usage: In the New Testament, rhizoó is used metaphorically to describe becoming firmly grounded, particularly in the context of a believer's relationship with Christ and the Gospel. It evokes the image of being deeply established, suggesting stability, strength, and nourishment. This agricultural metaphor was familiar to ancient societies, emphasizing the need to be grounded in truth to grow and thrive[2].
So, what we are rooted in determines whether we grow and thrive spiritually or not.
Recently, I had an ongoing conversation with someone who, although a believer, holds views about the word of God that made me examine my own beliefs more closely. However, rather than shaking my confidence in Scripture, it has only deepened it. I’ve never felt more sure that God’s word is inerrant because the Holy Spirit has instilled in me a love and reverence for it that I can't fully explain. Yet, in the midst of all that was said, I was reminded to, as Paul writes:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15
There is a need to righty handle or as other versions put it, righty divide the word of God.
The word of God is not just a book; it is the means by which God reveals Himself to us. It tells the story of His redemption plan for all people, and through His Spirit, it points us to Jesus—the Word made flesh. Not only that but the word keeps us from error. It helps us discern truth from false teaching—both outside and inside the Church.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
— John 1:14“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
— John 5:39“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
— 2 Timothy 3:16“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12
As you read this, I want to challenge you with three questions:
What do you believe about the Bible, God’s word?
Who do you believe authored it, and what informs that belief?
Do you believe it is all God’s truth?
If we, as the Church, truly believe the Bible is God’s word, then why wouldn’t we prioritize it? Why would we ever go a day without reading it? One of the most memorable things my pastor said in Sunday’s sermon was along the lines of, ‘We often feel like God is silent, but if we would just open His word, we would hear Him speak.’
One of the main reasons it is hard for me to be more rooted is because we live in such an overstimulated culture. Trust me, I get it—I'm right there with you. “Hi, I’m Tanya, and I struggle with a phone addition.” Sitting still to read the word for any length of time can feel daunting whereas mindlessly scrolling for hours can feel like bliss. But, if I’m being honest, the hardest part of reading the word can be getting started. Once I’ve prayed, asked the Lord to clear my mind, to empty me of my opinions, to change my affections, I find so much joy in searching His word. The more I learn about Him, the deeper my love for Him grows. As my love deepens, my desire to obey Him grows as well. And in obedience as Psalm 19:11 reminds us, there is great reward.
So, as my pastor challenged us this year, I extend the same challenge to you: Make this ‘A Year In The Word’. Let 2025 be the year we as the Church root ourselves even deeper in God’s truth.
[1] To watch the sermon in reference, please click here!
[2] Strong’s Greek: 4492. ῥιζόω (rhizoó) -- to root, to cause to take root, to become stable. (n.d.). http://biblehub.com/greek/4492.htm
