Remember Your Blessings
These are turbulent times in which we live. However, even in the depths of behaviors that are far from kind or humane, there is reason to be thankful. If we closely examine the Scriptures in Jeremiah 17, we find confirmation of how blessed believers are. There are no analogies. There are no rituals to perform. There is only the irrefutable truth that those who trust in the Lord are blessed.
When you read a little further, you are immediately shown how powerful it is to trust the Lord. The text uses the example of a tree planted by the waters with long roots that seek out the water and provide nourishment to the tree. When trouble comes in the form of a drought, the tree, the blessed individual, will still stand. But more than that, the blessed person will still bear fruit.
Please understand that there is a type of strength that you enjoy when you are in the correct position. Living in a posture of trust will fortify you when trouble comes, and trouble will come. You can still be productive. Your fruit will not dry up when the environments in this life withhold substance, such as fair wage, opportunities, or proper recognition; blessings still abound.
There are many kinds of droughts: natural, spiritual or emotional. However, we must be like Job. Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job did not realize that it was not God who brought the droughts into his life, but Job trusted God. He trusted God to know what he was going through. He decided that he would not give up on God. God is righteous. Job trusted Him, and we can trust Him now.
Jeremiah 5 warns us not to place our trust in man; our hope must be in God. Job’s friends did not even bring the comfort of a bit of water to try to combat the drought. Job’s friends gave more dust to a man who was already in a drought.
Human frailties abound even in those who love the Lord, but believers can depend on God. Throughout the Bible, there are words of encouragement for those who love and serve God. I leave you with this Scripture that confirms what is written in Jeremiah 17. It is found in 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV), “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
