This is what the Lord says: The man who trusts in mankind, who makes human flesh his strength and turns his heart from the Lord is cursed. He will be like a juniper in the Arabah; he cannot see when good comes but dwells in the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land where no one lives. The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8
My words…
Praise
The interesting thing about trust is that I have to place it somewhere. I can’t keep it locked in a vault. When I purchase an appliance, I trust that when I get it home, it will work. When I am admitted to the hospital, I trust the doctor will make me well. An investment company has a hold of my retirement funds, and I trust they are making sound investments. This trust is in humankind – a bored factory worker, a tired physician, and a speculating financier. It’s enough to make me shudder. But thanks be to You, Lord, for being the perfect receptacle for me to place my trust, for my trust in You overrides my trust in the world. Every facet of my well-being is in Your hands. It’s enough to make me praise!
Prayer for me
I am not, by nature, very trusting. My trust is not easily earned. And when it’s earned, it’s prone to weaken if I don’t see timely results. You have earned my trust, and You treat it as a treasure. But I still have inklings of doubt, and my trust in You wavers during times of waiting. I have placed much of my worry and concern on You lately, trusting You to give me rest. Is it too much to ask for a shot of holy adrenaline to get me through?
Forgive me
When I concern myself with what I have already trusted You to handle, I reveal my lack of faith. Forgive me for not wholly trusting You with every care of my heart and every atom in my body.
Prayer for others
I know of so many who are like junipers in the Arabah. Their souls are parched. They have placed their trust in humankind and have been burned. They cannot see You in their world. I pray for those who are wandering, seeking the perfect vessel in which to place their trust. I pray they find You today.
Thank You
It is written that when I place my trust in You, I am blessed. How true! Thank You for blessing my life with innumerable pleasures, joys, successes, and comforts. You have also blessed me through trial, challenges, and pain. It’s all from You, and I lay every ounce of gratitude at Your feet.
More praise
Because of You, I am a tree planted by a flowing river. My roots are well-watered, and I do not wither when the heat comes. It’s been a long growing season for me, and I trust that You will not leave my side. You never have.
