“He grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground.” (Isaiah 53:2)

‘…Its roots are the means whereby a plant is nourished, the channel through which its life is derived. No plant can live without a root-system. Equipped with one it may survive in the most unpromising conditions. Isaiah’s words suggest that Jesus Himself did not derive His life and strength from outward circumstances. Nor must we. If necessary we must be able to live without the succor of our brethren in Christ. Even with them around us, we live with our fellow members, we do not live by them. The secret source of our life is God alone.

But to live thus “out of a dry ground” means something more. It means that nothing merely circumstantial can destroy us. No drought can wither God’s tender plants. Amid barren, even hostile conditions, His children are equipped to be “more than conquerors.” Their life is Christ Himself.’

(from A Table in the Wilderness)