Every child of Grace is faced with a choice of whom they will trust today. Who will be my refuge today? Who is my confidence and security today? There are only two choices; it will be man or God; it cannot be both. You will trust in the arm of the flesh or in the Power of God. Our text is found in Jeremiah 17:5-8:
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (6) 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. (7) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (8) 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.”
The prophet Jeremiah was warning Israel not to trust in man, but to make the LORD (Jehovah) their Hope. If you trust in man then you will be cursed; your fruit will be poor or none at all because you will dwell in the desert, in a salt land; in an uninhabited place; a barren, uncultivable place; a place where growth is stunted and moisture is sought for, yet there is none. Your soul will be like the heath or shrub in the desert; no beauty; no good fruit; no vision; only a heart that departeth from God and from His Ways.
This is where most of God’s children seem to be; that is in the “wilderness;” the place of murmurers and complainers. Their fruit is fear, doubt, rebellion, and the works of the flesh. Child of Grace there is a better way and it is to trust; to place your confidence in the Lord. Make Him your Hope, your Refuge, your Expectation; and then you will be blessed. Make His Word your necessary food and source of wisdom. And then, even in a drought, your leaf will be green; your roots will be by the River of God, the River of Love, and then you will bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit of the Spirit of God.
Your inner man will be strengthened by God’s Spirit. You will be filled with the peace, power, and joy of the Holy Ghost. Your goal will not be self, but to please and honor God in body, soul, and spirit. Your life will be filled with all goodness, righteousness, and truth as you walk in the Light. You will be blessed; you will be happy. Your day will be filled with Hope; even the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ. Your hope is sure and certain, for your Hope, Christ, the Anchor of your soul is now passed within the veil; seated upon the Throne of Glory, crowned with glory and honor. He has secured the Victory and now has made you a part of that Victory.
(This devotional was previously posted on June 28, 2010. Thank you!)
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