As we continue our journey through the scriptures focusing on the futility of worry and God’s admonition to not worry, I am struck by Jeremiah’s description of the man that trusts in the Lord and doesn’t worry.  Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”  The person who puts their trust in the Lord doesn’t even have cause to worry during difficult and tough times.  Instead, the man who puts their trust in the Lord will flourish even in the most difficult of circumstances.

As we dissect this passage, it is plain to see that trusting in the Lord brings many benefits to the one who has placed their full faith and confidence in God.  There is spiritual security in believing and trusting in the Lord with such confidence that you rely on Him and find your hope in Him.  When your faith in God is strong and you trust in Him for all things and in all circumstances, Jeremiah likens you to a tree that is planted by the waters.  The person who fully trusts in God will be nourished, fruitful, satisfied, and productive.  Their life will reflect deep roots in God, a strong sense of faith, a confidence in God’s ability to care for them and provide for them.   They will live their life with a hope and an expectation that nothing will harm them or overtake them.  The Christian who is grounded and rooted in Christ won’t fear when the heat comes and trouble finds its way in their path.  But instead, the child of God who is seeking the will of God, following His commandments, and living a life that is pleasing to God will have peace in the storms, remain calm in troubled waters, and live victorious over the cares of this world.  During good times, bad times, and all times in between, the child of God who has firmly placed their trust in God and who is believing the promises of God and living in the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus continues to produce life giving fruit regardless of the circumstances around them.

How can someone endure pain, hardship, and trouble without experiencing the worry, angst, and heartache that comes with it?  There is only one way to defeat worry and problems in this world and that is to fully believe that God is in control and that He has your best interest at heart. You must believe that He is fully committed to carrying you through the trouble and delivering you from the problem.  You must live expecting God to do what He has promised and live in the peace that brings. 

You can be very sure that God will fulfill His commitment to you, but can He count on you to fulfil your commitment to Him?  Only you can answer that question.  Only you know if you have fully placed your trust in Him and live confidently in His ability to keep you safe and cover you with His love.  Today, examine your heart and see what you really believe about who God is and what He can and will do for you.  If you find your thoughts to be anything other than God loves you and has proven that love for you time and time again, then you must seek Him earnestly and let Him speak peace to your heart.  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” (Matthew 7:7).  Remember you are loved.  Jesus loves you.

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