Consider this Scripture passage for your
Lenten meditation today.
This is what the LORD says: "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. 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 human heart is the most
deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it
is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all
people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Jeremiah
17:5-10
With the emphasis today on the corona
virus outbreak…the world-wide pandemic…people are certainly showing signs of
panic. Put your trust in the Lord. Jeremiah tells us that those who trust in
the Lord and depend on Him for their hope will be blessed.
I’ve always loved
the idea of trees planted by the water, like in Psalm 1 which I memorized when
I was in the seventh grade for my church confirmation class.
 |
| A Tree Planted on a Riverbank--Canal bank in Israel. |
Oh, the joys
of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with
sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the
riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they
prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff,
scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners
will have no place among the godly. For the LORD watches over the path of the
godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:1-6
God provides that water…that
nourishment…to the tree. He will also provide you and me with that spiritual
nourishment. His healing water. Jesus is the living water.
On the last
day, the climax of the festival (Feast of Booths), Jesus stood and shouted to
the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in
me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will
flow from his heart.'" John 7:37-38
Jesus provides life—eternal life. As
Jeremiah wrote…the Lord searches the everyone’s hearts and knows our motives.
Are you like the tree planted by the water—searching for fresh water that
provides everlasting life? Are you putting your trust in the Lord...and not panicking?
Prayer
~ Lord, lead us along the path of righteousness—by the riverbank—that we would
bear the fruit of the Spirit for You: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May we not panic under the pressure of the world-wide epidemic, but may all that we think, say and do bring You glory and honor.
©
2020 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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