"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSING OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD"
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”
Jeremiah 17:8 “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/10/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:
Jeremiah the prophet was sent by God, as were all the other prophets, to deliver God's message to His people.
The message of the prophets was always an exhortation or invitation to return to the Lord, and to forsake their wicked ways.
It was also a message of what would happen to the people if they continued in their stubbornness and rebellion against God.
But, as with the ways of the Lord there were also very consistent bright spots in these messages.
Much like the one we are looking at today.
These verses speak of the blessing that comes to the man or woman, boy or girl who will put their trust, their faith in the Lord.
1. Blessings come to the man who trusts in the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”
Blessings and trust always go together in the Bible.
God promises to bless the man who trusts in Him.
Trust of faith is always said to be "in the LORD”.
We are called to put our faith in God.
It means we believe Him, and take Him at His Word.
It means that we seek to apply His Word as He shows us how to.
2. Blessings come to the man who hopes in the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”
Blessings and hope also go together in the Bible.
A man can make the Lord his hope.
A man can make the Lord his confidence.
There are many things to hope in in this life.
The Lord is always here for us to hope in.
Hoping in God, being confident in God brings great blessings into our lives.
3. Blessings consist of both being fruitful, not anxious, and a promise of continued fruitfulness.
Jeremiah 17:8 “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit”
The blessings of God are described for us.
Like trees planted alongside a riverbank.
With roots that reach deep into the water.
These trees (or people who trust in God) will not be bothered by the heat or the long months of drought.
People who trust God will be fruitful.
Their fruit will remain, and they will continue to be fruitful.
Some Questions:
1. Do you know that God wants you to trust in Him?
2. Do you know that God invites you to trust in Him?
3. Do you know that as you trust in the Lord blessings will evidence themselves in your life?
4. Do you know that your trust in God will result in lasting and abundant fruit in your life?
5. Can you think of anyone, or anything better to hope in than God?
A Prayer:
Father, we thank You for the many promises You make to us. We thank You that You are faithful to keep Your promises.
And, we thank You that You invite us to trust in You, and to place our hope in You. You also promise us that we will experience fruitfulness as we trust in You. We trust You and You make us fruitful. How wonderful and simple.
You have created us to bear fruit, much fruit and fruit that would remain and abide.
That fruit is Love. Lord, there is no one like You, and we honor and praise You for Your goodness and Your mercy, grace, and love.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
