YOU ARE CALLED TO ROOT OUT

Jeremiah 1:9–10

Key Verse: Jeremiah 1:10

We Christians like to talk about the “reigning” part of our inheritance in Christ. But have we taken seriously the responsibilities of reigning that God outlined to Jeremiah? What about the process of “rooting out”?

The Lord must think we are ridiculous at times. We stand up and say, “Devil, wherever you are, I bind you in the name of Jesus. Come up and show yourself.” It sounds silly, doesn’t it? You see, when you “root out” something, you uncover that which is hidden, disguised, or intermingled with other things. Most of Satan’s devices are cunning strategies. We must root out and discern them before we can deal with them.

We also say, “I am praying that God will clean up the neighborhood, fix the schools, and fix the government.” Meanwhile, God is shaking His head and saying, “I put you over them. Now you need to root them out.”

The only way to “root out” something that wants to stay hidden is to go after it. You take everything He has given you and dig deep. Invest some real time in the Word, in prayer, and in the problem. Be willing to get your hands dirty, because it is hard work.

Once you root out the problem, you cannot just say, “I am going to pull you down,” and then do nothing. Figuratively speaking, you have to reach up with your hands and stretch to pull something down. If it does not come easily, you should not be surprised. God told you to go further and “destroy and throw down.” Do not leave anything uncovered, for you are going to build and plant. This is what it means to “possess the land” of God’s promises.

Jesus Christ defeated, stripped, and humiliated the chief rebel almost two millennia ago. This means that in many cases, our first and most difficult battles take place within our own hearts; and the weapon of preference is called repentance.

Then our battles move into the heavenlies where our weapons of warfare include fervent prayer, the blood of the Lamb, and the Word of God.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I know you expect to see fruit growing from the “branches” of my life this year. That means some hoeing, rooting, clearing, and soil preparing must happen. Have Your way with me, Lord; I humble myself before You and yield to the Holy Spirit. I confess my sin and repent of any and all things that bring dishonor to You or grieve Your Spirit. I destroy and cast down every area of my life that refuses to acknowledge that You are Lord of all. Now build me up in Your image and plant Your purposes deep in the soil of my heart for a record harvest in due season.