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Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessings in Trust, Hope and Confidence in the Lord.Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT) But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.INTRODUCTION Two kinds of people are contrasted here: those who trust in human beings and those who trust in the Lord. The people of Judah were trusting in false gods and military alliances instead of in God; thus, they were stunted and unfruitful In contrast, those who trust in the Lord flourish like trees planted by a steady source of water (see Psalm 1). In times of trouble, those who trust in human beings will be impoverished and spiritually weak, so they will have no strength to draw on. But those who trust in the Lord will have abundant strength, not only for their own needs, but also for the needs of others. Are you living in an unfruitful drought, or do you, like a well-watered tree, have strength for times of crisis? Accept God's blessing on you and ask him to help you bear fruit. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Rooted in Trust Native to Northern China, the weeping willow enjoys being around water. This long, droopy branched tree with elongated leaves doesn't produce fruit but has a special feature that was first discovered by Hippocrates, a Greek physician in the fifth century BC. When chewed, the willow's bark would relieve fever and pain. The bark contains salicylic acid, which is the main ingredient in aspirin. Just as the bark of a willow relieves pain, God has given you a natural remedy for worry: trusting "in the LORD." Our complete trust and hope must be in Him. We need to give Him everything - our careers, aspirations, relationships, fears - and allow Him to fully live in our hearts. Then we will be "like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river." We will be deeply rooted in Christ. When rooted in God, we "will not fear when heat comes ... and will not be anxious in the year of drought." For God promises that our "[leaves] will be green ... nor will [we] cease from yielding fruit." In other words, God will provide and take care of us during the good and bad times of our lives. We have no need to worry because our Provider is in control. Unlike the willow bark that only relieves pain and doesn't cure the cause, God's natural remedy for worry will completely heal both. Give Christ your heart so that you will be firmly rooted in Him. My Father, please take away all my worries and help me to be rooted in You. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] A Certain Hope One of the great hymns of the church, "The Solid Rock," by Edward Mote and William Bradbury, begins, "My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand." On what is your hope built? You may hope for a raise in pay at work. You may hope that you pass an exam at school. You may even hope that you win a contest you have entered. Such hopes are based on externals over which we have little control: a favorable view of our work by the boss, the "right' questions being asked by the professor, our name being drawn among thousands of entries. But all these "hopes" fade into insignificance when compared with the greatest hope of all - our hope of salvation in Christ. And that hope is an absolute certainty, because it is based not on ourselves or our good works, but squarely on "Jesus' blood and righteousness." Circumstances change, people leave, and possessions get destroyed. If any of these are the source of our hope, we're in for a lot of heartache. Thank You, Lord, that a hope in You never disappoints. [Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Jeremiah 17:7 - Hope Has a Name. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210310-0924.html Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessings from Trust, Hope and Confidence in the Lord. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200320-0851.html Jeremiah 17:7 - Trusting in Man or God? https://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061012-1010.html Psalm 56:3-4 - Fear And Respect God Not Man. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20241112-1349.html Romans 15:13 - Hope, Joy and Peace are in a Relationship with Jesus. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240115-0738.html Matthew 6:33 - Make Christ First And Last And Best In Everything!!! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240619-0920.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |