Intentional Planting Begets Trust

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. 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."
(Jeremiah 17:7,8)

Blessed. Happy. Content.

This is God's promise to those who trust Him, to those who place their hope in Him.

I love this promise - we all do. But isn't it easier said than done? I think our spirits readily embrace this truth. We love the Lord, so what's not to trust? Right?

But our flesh. Now that's another story. Our flesh wants to wallow in self-pity, to flaunt our worries and concerns. Our flesh wants to figure everything out - hold onto the control - while our lips proclaim trust and hope in the One True God.

I know. I know the misery. If only we could learn to TRUST Him with every ounce of our being! No doubts, no worries, no fears - just contentment...blessed contentment. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

You know, this level of trust is attainable. If it weren't, then God wouldn't have said so, right?

This passage of scripture says that the person who trusts and hopes in the Lord is like the tree PLANTED by the waters. That tells me the tree was placed there purposefully, intentionally.

We must understand that our faith must grow deep, intentional roots lapping the streams of Living Water. This occurs supernaturally when, during times of drought or seasons of winter, we RUN to our God and cry out to Him, keeping our hearts soft and pliable in the hands of the potter. The roots of our faith grow deep when we seek Him in our darkness, when we listen for His still, quiet whisper in the midst of the tumultuous waves of despair that life throws our way.

Trust. Chasah (chah-sah): to trust, to hope, to make someone a refuge.

The next time a torrent of fear and doubt billows relentlessly in your direction, run to Him. Run as fast as your little legs will carry you. Run to the safety of His everlasting, outstretched arms.

Can you picture the cross? That's where we learned we could trust Him.

Lord, Thank You for Your remarkable love, Your lavish love. Forgive us for taking it for granted. Help us get the mindset that trust is more than a sweet concept for the Christian to refer to. Teach us that trust involves action. It requires setting our jaw in determination and planting ourselves next to the stream of Living Water. It requires knowing the One in whom we have believed. We want to know You more, Lord - all about You. We want to please You, Lord, to walk in Your truth each and every day. I am so thankful that You desire that, as well. We only need to take You at Your Word. Thank You, Lord.