Trust in the Lord

A few things in life create an automatic feeling of rest and peace. Most people have their own way of finding rest, peace, and rejuvenation. However, everyone agrees that a river with trees growing beside it seems to be the ideal spot to find peace and rest.

A tree planted next to a river can be considered a lucky tree in the 'tree kingdom.' Being planted next to a river provides it with constant nutrition and water. There is no need to strain and work hard in trying to carve out an existence. Compared to his cousin living in the desert, he has a life of ease. He can just rest, knowing all that he needs is right there.

Unsurprisingly, the Bible uses the analogy of a tree planted by the river to describe someone who trusts in the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit.

The verse in Jeremiah creates an image that we all can understand without too much explanation. When we read this verse, we know that this is how we want to live. We know this because the alternative is unthinkable.

The preceding verses in chapter 17 of Jeremiah create a stark contrast. The analogy used for people who put their trust in humans is that of a stunted shrub in the desert.

Jeremiah 17:5-6

“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,

who rely on human strength

and turn their hearts away from the Lord.

They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,

with no hope for the future.

They will live in the barren wilderness,

in an uninhabited salty land.

Again, the scripture is very clear. There is no room for ambiguity. This contrast between a person trusting God versus trusting humans is very stark. I know where I want to put my trust. I know what I want my life to look like, and I am sure everyone reading this article would agree. If my life resembles the tree planted by water, I will be happy.

But what is the truth? If you examine your life, which picture resembles your life? Who or what do you depend on?

The King James translation puts it this way: Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

Note how the translators wrote that sentence. "whose hope is the Lord" They did not write, whose hope is in the Lord, but their hope is the Lord. Hope is a person, and Jeremiah tells us it is God. It corresponds perfectly with Romans 15:13, in which Paul talks about the God of hope.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

You might say that the difference between these two analogies is the effort they put in to survive. The tree beside the river does not strain and struggles to procure enough water and nutrients to survive. All he needs to do is allow his roots to sink deep into the ground and absorb all he needs. For the poor shrub in the desert, it is a daily struggle for survival. Those types of plants usually have very shallow roots so that they capture any drop of water that comes their way.

Another difference between these two plants is what they can provide for others. The tree next to a river is usually tall and leafy. It creates shade and a place of rest and refreshing. The verse in Jeremiah talks of producing fruit. Having good fruit is a blessing for others. On the other hand, no one will find rest in the shade of a shrub in the desert, and neither will they find any fruit.

What does your life look like? Is God your hope? Do you rest in His provision and care? Do you live with an open hand that freely blesses others?

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to worry but to trust God, who knows all we need. It uses the birds as an example of trust. They neither sow nor reap but always have enough to eat. As with the tree by the stream, the birds are not straining in their effort to survive.

So, let us decide today to make the Lord our hope and confidence. He is faithful and true; every promise He has made is YES and AMEN.