September 25, 2007 Jeremiah 17:7-8

09/25/2007

Jeremiah 17:7-8(NRSV)

⁷    Blessed are those who trust in the LORD,
    whose trust is the LORD.⁸    They shall be like a tree planted by water,
    sending out its roots by the stream.
    It shall not fear when heat comes,
    and its leaves shall stay green;
    in the year of drought it is not anxious,
    and it does not cease to bear fruit.

In the verses just preceding these, Jeremiah is referring to Israel as a bush that is in a desert; that has no source of water. It may grow for a time, but when the scorching winds blow, or when the heat of the sun beats down, it withers and cannot withstand the elements.

Jeremiah echoes the words of the Lord and he declares that Israel will be destroyed, but as always, God allows a path of salvation. God does not seek our destruction out of any sense of pleasure. In fact, he delights in those who trust Him. However, when we continually snub Him, He withdraws His protection and we will fall prey to the evils around us.

But “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.” Trees send deep roots. It is said that the root system of a tree is as large (if not larger) than the branches we see above ground. A tree that is near a good, consistent water source will not wither when scorching winds blow, or when the sun beats down. So it is with those who trust in God. We are not promised that hard times will never come, but we are promised that we will have a good, constant source of strength to withstand them.

What a beautiful illustration Jeremiah gives of how God will be our strength. Trust in the Lord and allow him to be your strength.

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