Monday, June 16, 2025

           Jeremiah is one of the major prophets in the Old Testament.  He was faithful in declaring the Word of the Lord that was entrusted to Him.  He was commissioned and called as a prophet to the nations even before he was conceived (1:5).  He had about a forty-year career as a prophet centered on Judah—the southern Kingdom.  Some have suggested that we know more about his personal life than any other prophet in the Bible. 
            There is a real gem to be found in Jeremiah 17:7-8.  The Bible says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  A few important truths stand out for us to see.  These truths may become a daily encouragement to your life and faith. 
            First, Jeremiah told us that if we trust in the Lord we will be blessed.  We can trust any number of people, things or institutions today.  And many of them, if not all, will disappoint us and break that trust.  But God does not fail.  He does not break faith or trust with us.  Indeed, Jesus promised His disciples that he would be with them always—even to the end of the age.  We can hold on to God’s promise to be with us today—no matter where we may find ourselves.  There is no centimeter anywhere in the universe where we are beyond the watch and protection of the Lord. 
            Second, the image of a tree planted by water suggests stability and sturdiness.  And if our trust and confidence is in the Lord, we will remain stable and sturdy too.  We will have stable lives, sturdy homes, a strong relationship with the Lord and a firm conviction to dedicate our days and lives to serving Him.  Taking time each day to read the Bible, to pray and to be grateful are important spiritual roots to develop and deepen.  We will never find ourselves able to be sturdy by ourselves.  We need to be anchored in Christ and secure with Christ.  Consider how many times you find the expression “in Christ” in the New Testament.  To be “in Christ” is the safest place imaginable. 
            Third, we do not have to fear changes or adversity.  In the words of Jeremiah, we do not have to fear any heat that may come.  We can surely face the heat of battles today—financial, spiritual, physical and emotional.  But we withstand that heat by sustaining our deep roots in Christ.  We remember that Christ is the ultimate victor and, in Christ, we experience victory too.  We also hang on to the reality that no matter what happens in this world our eternity is secure with Christ.  Great trees are able to ride out both droughts and storms because of their deep, dependable and reliable root systems.  These trees serve as examples for faith too. 
            Finally, we live fruitfully.  In the words of Jeremiah, our faith is green and never fails to bear fruit.  The fruit we bear is revealed in how we love and serve the Lord and others around us.  Unbreakable trust in the Lord will lead to fruit being produced daily and consistently.  If you are disappointed by the fruit you see in your life, come back to the basics of Bible study, prayer, worship and serving.  A part-time faith will lead to little fruit and little stability and sturdiness when the storm comes.  Yet, when we lean into the Lord, faith begins the work of developing deep roots.  Have a great Monday.  Remember you can always share our worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.