Scripture:
Jeremiah 17:5-10 NKJV
[5] Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. [6] 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. [7] “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. [8] 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. [9] “The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it? [10] I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Observation:
Jeremiah has a wonderful way of putting things out there. These 5 short verses are proof of that. What we are going to take a look at today is the contrasting lifestyles of trusting in man or trusting in GOD. Jeremiah was. A prophet from the Old Testament whose heart was to bring GOD’S chosen people to repentance. He was known as the weeping prophet. Often found crying over the sins of GOD’S chosen people. In fact, the Book of Lamentations is believed to be written by him as well as this book which bears his name. The meaning of the word lamentations is passionate sorrow or grief…weeping intensely. At this point in scripture, Jeremiah was overwhelmed by the condition of the heart. They were trusting in not only their own strength but also their political alignment as well. In verses 5 and 6 of chapter 17, Jeremiah gives us a look at the results of trusting in these two things. Telling the Jewish people that trusting in man would leave them without the very thing they needed for a full and successful life. In a sense what he is saying is man makes empty promises but GOD’S promises are yes and amen. The position he has taken here is to describe a shrub that is planted in the desert starving for daily provisions, such as water and nutrition that’s found in the soil. That’s what it’s like to trust in man. The contrast he speaks of is great. It’s like two opposite sides of the spectrum. He goes on the explain what it looks like to trust in the LORD. Saying it’s like a tree planted by the water the roots run deep and it has everything it needs. In fact, the roots run so deep that when a storm or a drought hits it is not phased. It’s not easily blown over nor does it starve for what is needed. Because it’s in the best position it could be to receive all that is needed to produce the fruit that the LORD has intended for it to produce. Verses 9 and 10 you might think are somewhat out of place but I don’t think so. Jeremiah has just given us two contracting positions of the heart. One that is trusting in man and one who trusts in the LORD. Both of which have visual evidence. Then we see him referring to the heart and how deceitful it is and saying the LORD tests the heart. Now I want to point something out. In the example given of the tree that is planted by the water. The Bible does not say it will not have trouble. But what it does say is that when trouble comes such as drought and wind. The types of things that go on in life. It will not be swayed or easily blown over. Whereas the shrubs in the desert just turn into tumbleweeds. Having no roots no ability to hold on. Not having living water or the bread of life. The statement in verses 9 and 10 about the heart and its deceitful condition tests that GOD does.
Application:
Let me ask you… do you think it’s possible for us to deceive ourselves?
Personally, I think it is I think we can get caught up in our emotions and go the wrong way. Over the past few years, I have seen how our political system is tainted. We have men and women running to the voting box thinking about the next political figurehead and how he or she is going to change the world or save it for that matter. Trusting a political system that is built on man ruling over man will never work. The great theologian Dave Mustang said it best, ” You take a mortal man and put him in control, watch him become a god, watch people’s heads roll.” When Israel was begging to have a king GOD never wanted that however, HE gave them what they wanted to show them that the desires of their hearts were out of position. Can I tell you something without getting crucified I have never voted. Never not once. Now that’s not because I wouldn’t have if I had a choice. But I gave that choice away at the age of 11 when I got my first felony. I have been shown by GOD how to trust in HIM all my life. Without the ability to vote, I have had to trust that HE will put the right person in place to lead this country. But the bottom line is that no political figure is going to save us. We will have to trust in Jesus. HE is our only hope. So I just want to bring this into biblical perspective. If you are one of those who hang on every word that a political figure says and you have faith that they are going to bring us out of this mess we have gotten ourselves into. Let’s look at what the LORD says about that. 2nd Chronicles chapter 7 and verse 14, says, “And if my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. GOD wants our full and undivided attention. HE is a jealous GOD. Over my 50 years of life, I have seen a lot of political figures come and go, and GOD has never changed. Mortal man can not save us. What we need to do is hit our knees and seek the face of GOD after all if you call yourself a Christian you are called by HIS name. I have to bring this out because I believe it’s one of the points that needs to be made. How many of us know someone of is on what we call a fixed income? Whether we call it Social security or welfare. Are they making ends meet? Or do they barely have what they need? This is not a stab at those people I have been one. It’s a point that has to be made. In the Book of Acts at the end of Chapter 4, we see that GOD gives us a model of how it should work. All believers come together and have a common bank account. This model was shown when Jesus was on Earth as well. GOD wants us to trust HIM with our everything. HE is our provider our healer. The very bread that came from heaven. Man will fail. But GOD never will. If the church would step up and play its role instead of the government doing so I believe we would see our nation healed and made right remember 2nd Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14. To seek GOD’S face means to look for HIS character. What defines HIM, what makes HIM different, what sets HIM apart? Knowing GOD’S true character is love allows us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Now listen I don’t want to starve. So I don’t want my neighbor to starve either. The point I am trying to make is if we trust GOD we will do what HE says knowing that it is the truth trusting in a flawed political system will only leave us starving for the things we need the most.
Prayer:
Father, you are able, and only you can. So right now we pray that You forgive us where we fail you help us to keep our eyes fixed on you. We know that the only man who never failed we nailed to a cross. The king of kings and the LORD of LORDS. We lay our trust at HIS feet… the foot of the cross where the ground is level. Help us see your character and do our very best to reflect who you are in the way that we love those around us. Always telling the truth seasoned with grace. You are our example. The goldsmith. Placing us in the Crucible of life and removing the impurities until you can see your reflection. That is our desire… that we reflect you. Mold us and shape us to do so. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.