Like a Tree Planted by Waters

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus says the Lord:”Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.

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.

Reaction: Lately I have writing a lot about trusting the Lord, so this passage seemed very appropriate. During my meditation, I did feel blessed knowing that I can always place my trust in God. The image of the tree planted by the water made me think of an earlier prayer session where I was drinking from Christ’s living waters. I imagined that my roots (faith in God) would continue to be nourished and strengthened, even through dry spells and oppressing heat. If I remain steadfast, I will continue to bear fruit. Since I have had fruit trees in the past, I know that some years yield better crops than others. So too might my fruits be diminished during some episodes in my life, but I will not cease to yield some fruit as long as I take my nourishment from the Lord.