These Have No Root

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."  Luke 8:13.  Temptation, or trial, is a test of faith.  All of us who follow Jesus must know that our faith will be tested.  The old devil will not leave us along.  The word of God has been received with joy.  There is no other way to receive it than with joy.  We have been delivered from sin, and we know salvation.  We are in union with Jesus, our Lord.  But, the temptation comes, and we fall away.  We fall because we have no root.  The rock will not allow the development of the root whereby we are grounded and settled.  We have not fully given ourselves to Jesus.  We are not firmly set in His love and grace.  The seed has fallen upon the rock where there can be no penetration.  Our faith in Jesus cannot be shallow, and stand against the devil.  His assault is harsh.  The winds of trial will blow hard, and uproot us.  In the story of Jesus, these fell away because they had not rooted themselves in the One by whom they were able to stand.