Our Root

Proverbs 12:3,12;7
This Proverb contrasts the righteous and the wicked. Righteous means being right with the One true Living God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Wicked (7563) means one guilty of sin. Only Jesus can take away the guilt of sin.

The words “root, stand, established” stood out to me.
12:3 A man will not be established by wickedness,
       But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
12:12 The wicked desires the booty of evil men,
          But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
The word root (8328) in the Hebrew, when figuratively speaking of people, means firmness or permanence. This is an encouraging word.

So this particular Proverb speaks to my heart of the eternal, the permanence one’s hope and confidence can have in Christ Jesus. Because He has made us righteous in Him, we are permanently established in His righteousness and Truth which never changes.
Mistakes and failures do not change the root. It goes deep, it is firmly planted. It yields fruit even in old age. (Ps 92:14)

Our root will not be moved. Because of this our life can be whole, stable, and not shaken by the circumstances of life. Not that everything is easy. But when our heart knows that the One who created us has created the world (Col 1:16-17) and all that is in it for Himself, and He is able to hold it all together, we are encouraged to face our life and circumstances with great hope, patience, and strength. We know that if Jesus can hold the Universe together He certainly has no problem holding our lives together. Faith in Him will bring peace and rest.

Proverbs 12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
This scripture speaks in a future tense. What our eyes cannot see, God does.

“House” can mean dwelling, habitation, body, family. He enables us to dwell, live in Him, in His life where the eternal is. If He says our “house” will stand, we can know that He is able to hold our lives together by His mighty power. We can be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Eph 6:10) while we keep our eyes focused on Him and His promise.

Father, enable your children to remember that You have established us in Christ Jesus, who IS Lord.
Rev 22:16 “I am the root and descendant of David, the bright Morning Star.”