Good morning -
I've learned that irrigation is a big deal where I live in the southwest. Rain is rare and thus trees and other vegetation are dependent upon irrigation for their very survival.
Jeremiah reminds us that, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
The word, "trust", stands out to me as I read Jeremiah's words. To trust is to be totally dependent upon. Total dependency upon the Lord places us in a position to be watered and nourished and to withstand the heat and drought. The problem that I see is that it is too easy to "lean a little on" rather than fully trust the Lord. We have so much to provide us with security that trusting in the Lord is more of an option than a necessity.
Earlier in chapter 17 the Lord says through Jeremiah, "Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5). Such words sting, but they challenge us to consider who and what we trust in. Trusting in the plans, systems, and securities of mankind as well as our own abilities and understanding is much too easy. Most of us are insulated from severe hardship by secure jobs, reasonable salaries, and creature comforts. Our choices consist of WHAT we will have to eat rather than WILL we have anything to eat.
A healthy tree has deep roots that extend down to the nourishing and refreshing waters; growth has been oriented toward nourishment. So it needs to be in each of our lives: deliberate growth needs to be toward our source of help and strength. And that growth is largely dependent upon the choice that we make to actively seek out the Lord through prayer and Bible study and interaction with the people of God.
May your "roots" be deep and well-connected through trust in the Lord who abundantly supplies nourishment and refreshment.
Pastor Steve
I've learned that irrigation is a big deal where I live in the southwest. Rain is rare and thus trees and other vegetation are dependent upon irrigation for their very survival.
Jeremiah reminds us that, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
The word, "trust", stands out to me as I read Jeremiah's words. To trust is to be totally dependent upon. Total dependency upon the Lord places us in a position to be watered and nourished and to withstand the heat and drought. The problem that I see is that it is too easy to "lean a little on" rather than fully trust the Lord. We have so much to provide us with security that trusting in the Lord is more of an option than a necessity.
Earlier in chapter 17 the Lord says through Jeremiah, "Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5). Such words sting, but they challenge us to consider who and what we trust in. Trusting in the plans, systems, and securities of mankind as well as our own abilities and understanding is much too easy. Most of us are insulated from severe hardship by secure jobs, reasonable salaries, and creature comforts. Our choices consist of WHAT we will have to eat rather than WILL we have anything to eat.
A healthy tree has deep roots that extend down to the nourishing and refreshing waters; growth has been oriented toward nourishment. So it needs to be in each of our lives: deliberate growth needs to be toward our source of help and strength. And that growth is largely dependent upon the choice that we make to actively seek out the Lord through prayer and Bible study and interaction with the people of God.
May your "roots" be deep and well-connected through trust in the Lord who abundantly supplies nourishment and refreshment.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 1:44 PM
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