JEREMIAH 17:5-8 – Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
THEME OF THE DAY. THE CHOICE WE DAILY MAKE. Today’s scripture is so rich in illustrations and application. It is graphic in its pronouncement of warning. It is beautiful in its picture of blessing. And it is direct in its application. Let’s look at it in those directions.
First, the warning from God is graphic. There are no soft words from Him. He comes with a proclamation of seriousness. He says, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Our Lord is telling us, “If you trust in yourself, or any other created being or thing, two things are true about you; you are cursed and have refused Me, My strength, and My counsel.” Pause and think about this in our own lives. Two of our biggest challenges in our walks with the Lord are leaning on our own understanding when facing tough decisions and relying on self-sufficiency in trying situations. In both cases, be very careful not to be impulsive and proceed to make a serious decision or attempt to control a situation in the strength of self. We need counsel from others, and a time to wait on the Lord in prayer and the Word to ensure His power, not ours, is sustaining and guiding us.
The second thing we observe in this text is the beauty of the promised blessing – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” What an inviting picture of refreshment, vibrant living, stability in life, and being fruitful in one’s walk with the Lord. And notice the strength pictured of being an overcomer when fearful situations and anxious times come into our lives.
Finally, we come to the application of today’s scripture in our lives. Amid the imagery of a cursing and blessing is a contrast. It is the contrast of one’s object of trust. And this applies to us each day. Who are we trusting to get us through tough times? Ourselves or the Lord? Who are we placing our faith in during those storms in life? Ourselves or the Lord? And in the daily call of living out the Christian life, where does our reliance go? On the Lord or ourselves? The application is on-going. It is the moment-by-moment choice to either trust in ourselves or the Lord. May He help us to lean on Him. In doing so, the blessings of a fruitful life, a spiritually stable life, and a refreshing life will surely follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23).
PRAYER: “Father, show me the folly of trusting in anyone or anything else but You.”
QUOTE: “We were never created to trust in human wisdom or power.”