Jeremiah 17:5-8
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Thoughts from Pastor Josh
Dive Deeper
Behind the Scenes
Jeremiah was a Hebrew prophet of God who lived in days of chaos and uncertainty. Jeremiah’s country, the kingdom of Judah, was ravaged by war and its capital city of Jerusalem was attacked numerous times. In 587 BC, Jerusalem finally fell to the invading Babylonians and many of the Hebrew people were taken away in captivity. At one time, the Hebrew people formed a strong kingdom, but they strayed from the ways of God and turned to worshiping idols and practicing evil. Over the course of several hundred years, God sent prophets warning them to repent but they persisted in their idolatry and evil. Thus, God handed them over to their enemies.
Jeremiah lived at the end of this period and was in Jerusalem as it fell to the invaders. God called him at a young age to be a prophet, and Jeremiah faithfully preached God’s word even though it brought him persecution and slander from powerful enemies. At one time, he was even thrown into a mud pit to die! Jeremiah lived, but he saw his home overrun by enemies. After Jerusalem fell, a remnant of the Hebrews asked Jeremiah to pray for God’s guidance. Jeremiah prayed and told them to remain in the country and God would bless them. But they still refused to listen to God. They relied on human wisdom instead of God’s word and fled to Egypt in fear. They even forced Jeremiah to go with them!
How did Jeremiah persevere through all this suffering and turmoil? He remained rooted in God and His word. He continued to serve God and seek His will no matter what. Did he avoid suffering? No. Jeremiah wept and suffered, and he prayed. And by God’s mighty grace, Jeremiah persevered through the storms of life. Jeremiah was like the tree sending deep roots down by water. Others around him were not so steadfast. They had shallow roots of faith and took their strength from armies, from wealth, from human wisdom. When all of that failed them, they had nothing. They did not possess real roots, and their lives were a wasteland.
Make it Real
So how do events that happened over 2500 years ago impact us in the 21st century? God does not change, and his ways remain just as true in our world today as they did in Jeremiah’s time. Take a moment and be honest with yourself and with God. What are your actual roots? What gives you a sense of security and wellbeing? Bank accounts, jobs, status, influence, relationships, accomplishments? What do you turn to when trouble hits and you need comfort? Food, sex, alcohol, drugs, busyness, human wisdom, Netflix? All of these, good and bad, are shallow roots. God and his living word, Jesus Christ, are deep roots that will keep you anchored in times of trouble and chaos. You can’t avoid suffering but roots planted in God will help you persevere and survive that suffering. Pray, read the Bible, worship, engage in church community. God is your fortress, your rock, your deep roots that will keep you watered when the drought hits.
Johnny Spence
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Father God,
I am suffering right now (name your problems). Help me become rooted in you, God, and not rely on the shallow roots of earthly things. Like a plant by a stream, let me feel the waters of your peace flow through me. Let me feel your Spirit inside of me and help me stay connected to You. You are the only true water, the only true anchor in this life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.