HOPE IN THE LORD FOR HELP (3)

“BLESSED is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose HOPE is the LORD” – Jeremiah 17:7

Blessings are assured those who Trust and HOPE in the LORD for HELP: “BLESSED is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose HOPE is the LORD. 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.” (Jer.17: 7-8). The contrast is sharp! It is a contrast between a person who trusts in man and his abilities and the person who trusts in Jehovah; between a brown lifeless shrub in the desert and a green fruitful tree planted by waters; between a person who is cursed by God and the person who is blessed by God.

The entire book of Jeremiah is a collection of prophetic words to the people of Israel as they went through life circumstances, specifically their life before and during Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah called out their sin, prophesied judgement, encouraged them to turn back to God, and cried out to God on their behalf. Here, the prophet called out their misplaced trust in man instead of in God. Yet, as he highlighted the harsh realities of their sin, glitters of Hope began to filter in as he discussed the positive prospects of turning back to God. These two realities are juxtaposed to compare and contrast the person who trusts in man and the person who trusts in the Lord – whose HOPE is the LORD!

The person who trusts in God is like a green and fruitful tree, planted by God by the waters of life, rooted, without fear of harm, enjoying rest and strength. He lives and serves from a place of Hope and is able to see and partake in God’s goodness. The one who trusts in man or in self, is like a shrub in the parched, desolate desert, locked in hopelessness, loneliness, discouragement, distrust, dryness, impairment, and blindness to God’s goodness: “And shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited” (v.6b). Ministering from a place of hopelessness is miserable. Service from a place of Hope and Trust is delightful!

The question must be pointed: In whom do I trust and hope? In whom do you trust and hope? Who is the Pivot of our Hope? Do we look to the sinful arm of flesh, or do we look and trust in God’s Mighty Arm? In these current troublesome days, do we trust in deceptive politicians, fallible scientists, the unstable economy, imperfect health care, insincere government policies and handouts? Or do we rest and have hope in the Sovereign Lord Who does all things well? The litmus test: “whose heart departs from the Lord” (v.5b). “Where is my Heart?”