"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."
Jeremiah 17:7
Jehovah had called Jeremiah and “set [him] over the nations and over the kingdoms.” His purpose for Jeremiah was “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10b). In other words, to make significant changes in the status quo. God’s people desperately needed to change their ways. It’s hard to imagine that God’s people were not trusting in Him.
In chapter 17, Jeremiah is speaking to Judah and her sin. He told them what the LORD has said about those who will not trust in Him.
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5).
The consequences for the untrusting soul He describes as –
“For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited” (Jeremiah 17:6).
He describes the cold, arid heart that “used to trust in Him.” The LORD goes on to show us that He is the hope of all those who are trusting in Him. He will care for them.
“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” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
Dear friend, where is your trust today? In the weak and helpless “arm of flesh?” Or is your “hope” in the eternal and all-powerful, all-wise, and all-present God of the Bible?
Quote: “The LORD is good. He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble. He takes care of those who trust Him” (Nahum 1:7, HSB[1]).
[1] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible from Harvest Ministries in Guam.