Trust in the Lord - Jeremiah 17

Another special night at Listooder Youth Fellowship as we hosted our regular Amongst Ourselves evening, inviting the young people themselves to take part in the meeting. With Alison Ross on the piano, Ross Greer leading the singing and a great crowd gathered, the night got off to an excellent start.

Ross then welcomed Abigail Emerson to the front to share how she came to be a Christian. Saved as a child, Abigail found little difficulty living as a Christian in Primary School. Secondary School was much more difficult, but she took encouragement from an opportunity to explain why she didn't swear or go out to places like others did. Abigail reminded us to always be true to our faith, and to take every chance to stand for Christ - for He is always faithful to us.

Closing the meeting, David McCoubrey stepped forward to present a message from the Word of God. Reading from Jeremiah 17, David explained the plight of Jeremiah the Prophet, who had to carry a sobering message to the people of Israel from God Himself. From verse 5 of the chapter, Jeremiah speaks as the voice of God, casting divine light on the difference between a man putting trust in men, and a man who puts his trust in God.

When looking for somewhere to put our trust, pride often makes us look at ourselves. We trust our own goodness and we trust our own wisdom, which will both fail us often. Not only do we fall into the error of trusting in ourselves, but we also make the mistake of trusting others. In doing this we are like a shrub or a plant, looking for sustainance in a dry, salty desert (verse 6). We won't find what we need when we place our trust in family, friends, politicians or celebrities.

In verse 7, God draws our attention to things above: Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord. God is our hope and our salvation. We must trust in Him alone for the forgiveness of our sins and salvation of our soul. Many try to go their own way, but He alone has the words of life. We must trust God also for provision, for it is He who provides our daily bread. He also protects us, being as a strong tower wherein we can be safe from all the harms of the evil one.  

In a contrasting example to the desert shrub thirsting for water - representing the one who trusts in man - God gives an example of one who trusts in the Lord. He shall be as a tree planted by the waters (verse 8). The tree will grow and flourish because of the constant provision of the rivers of water. As the child of God seeks counsel with the Lord, through prayer, scripture and fellowship with Believers, he or she will grow in grace and in the knowledge of God, flourishing in their lives and stepping out in the strength of the Saviour.

They will also produce much fruit. Unlike the desert shrub, the tree by the side of a river will produce a crop of fruit, of skills that will be of a great benefit to the work of God.

So, which are you? Are you a desert shrub, thirsty for goodness but never finding it, or are you that tree, planted by the rivers of water - flourishing, thriving and producing a real benefit for the advancement of the kingdom of God.