ESOCS Devotional 29 July 2022
TEXT: JEREMIAH 17: 5 – 14
MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Jeremiah 17: 7 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
In our text today, a sharp contrast is presented (vs 5 – 8). It is a contrast between a person who trusts in man and his abilities and the person who trusts in God. It is the contrast between a brown lifeless shrub in the desert and a green fruitful tree planted by waters. It is a contrast between a person who is cursed by God and the person who is blessed by God.
Although the question is not stated, it is implied: “In whom do you trust?” This question demands a response. Jeremiah writes to the Old Testament church, Judah. In the threat posed by the kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon, there were those who trusted in themselves or in the help of the nation of Egypt. These were terrible times. Do you look to the arm of flesh, or do you look and trust in God’s mighty arm? We may ask in these current troublesome days the same questions. Do you trust in the economy, politicians, scientists, hospitals, health care, or government policies and handouts? Or do you rest and have confidence in God who is sovereign and does all things well? How foolish and weak is the arm of flesh. The economy changes. Governors and presidents can threaten or make promises. Scientists can, maybe, find a vaccine that works but also can create viruses that kill. Money can be given out by the government, but it is not free. The arm of flesh is sinful and mortal. The person who trusts in man is the one “whose heart departed from the LORD.”
In whom do you trust? God’s word says, “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man.” How dreadful. The person that lives and dies in unbelief is cursed, under God’s wrath and hatred. God’s curse is a powerful and effective word that brings death.
The contrast of the above is the child of God who trusts, has saving faith, depends upon the LORD. That person has hope, which means confidence. Why do we have this confidence even in difficult times? The reason is that the LORD is the God of our salvation. He loves us. He will work all things for good to them that love Him, who are the called according to His purpose. He has provided for our salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ! Our eyes, our mind, and our heart are stayed upon Him. Jeremiah’s confession is found in verse 17, “Thou art my hope in the day of evil.” May we say with the Psalmist, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Ps. 56: 3 – 4).
The person that trusts in God is compared to a green and fruitful tree. He is planted by the waters. He is planted there by God Himself. He is given deep roots, roots that keep on spreading by the river. Christ Jesus is that water of life. Christ’s life flows to us by the Holy Spirit. When times of trouble come, the person who trusts in God does not shrivel up or become unfruitful. Rather, his roots sink further and deeper into Jesus Christ and His Word. He becomes stronger. He is not anxious in these troublesome times but has the fruit of joy and peace. God’s Word says that God blesses those who trust in Him.
- Put your trust in God if you desire His blessing.
- Lord, I put my confidence in you because I know you will sav
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FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 10:1-13; Acts 16:6–34; John 14:1-14
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ESOCS Devotional 29 July 2022
