God of steadfastness, hold steady the life of this dear reader today and all days. In Christ Jesus' Name, amen.
I have many favorite passages of faith and encouragement in The Bible, and among those are these found in Jeremiah 17: 5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. 6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 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.
As we wrestle with obedience, reflect on where we should be "planted." Jeremiah, and the Psalmist in 1:3, both knew of the strength and nourishment that come to trees planted near water and applied that to our faith. If we are planted solidly in God, we shall be like those trees: Roots by the stream, no fear when "heat," and whatever forms those may take, green leaves when all else is brown with thirst and near-death, no anxiety, and continual bearing of fruit. Compare that to what Jeremiah says about those who trust themselves or other humans more: Their hearts turn away from God. They're like shrubs planted in the desert and they become tumbleweeds. While they may have some purpose, overall, compared to strong, fruit-bearing trees, of what good are they? Of what good are we if we plant ourselves away from God?
PRAYER: God of strength and nourishment, plant me in You! I want to be nourished and blessed by my close relationship to You so that I can bear fruit for You. May all that comes by being in You be mine today and all days. I renounce fear when everyone else is scared, I want to be anxiety-free, and I want to be "green" to all, so they may see I am in You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
