Blessed or Cursed?

O. T. #1764  "Blessed or Cursed?"
August 26, 2020
Jeremiah 17
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (verse 7)

LET IT GLOW

We have a pecan tree on the north side of the house. When we moved here some 14 years ago, it was a smaller tree of good size. Now it is huge, flourishing tree with branching reaching to the sky and outward. It bears pecans since it has a big puddle of water that stays there for a few weeks after a rain. I consider it like a tree planted by a stream.

Jeremiah contrasts two types of people-one who trusts in the Lord, like a tree planted by water, with deep roots, and produces fruit (Ps.1); the other ones are people who trust in man, like a dry, barren tree in a desert.

Let's take a look each one.
Those who trust in the LORD in times of trouble:

• They are blessed (to kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration; praise; thank).
• The trusteth (be confident or sure; make to hope) in the LORD.
• Their hope (a refuge; security; assurance) is the LORD.

These people have abundant strength, for their needs and the needs of others. Their life shows the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. they live by faith and not by sight. It is obvious that the Lord is pleased with them.

Is our life like that? Are we praising and thanking God, placing our trust and hope in Him only?

LET IT GROW

Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. (verse 5)

Judah trusted in their army, their king, and their foreign alliances to protect them from the powerful Babylonian empire. they gave lip service to their trust in God, but their actions showed where their faith really was: in their military and financial might. God would not bless those who trusted in anyone or anything instead of Him. Trusting anything other than God is idolatry. (Blackaby)

Is our faith truly trusting in God? We can find out by asking our self these questions:
Where do we turn when we experience a crisis?
When we are hurting or afraid, to whom do we go?
When we have a financial problem, whom do we want to tell first?
Where do we seek comfort when we are under stress or discouragement?

It was too late when Judah realized that they had neglected to trust in the only One who could deliver them. Our challenge is to not make the same mistakes Judah made and go straight to Jesus when we have a need. He is the only One who can provide for us.

LET IT GO
Trusting Jesus, that is all;
trusting Jesus whether great or small;
trusting Jesus through it all;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.