So Who Can You Really Trust?

Jeremiah 17:5 & 7 “ . . . Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.”  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.”

Dear Kids:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He will be like a tree planted by the water.”

Every day we trust people. We perform services and believe our clients will pay their bills, hire contractors and feel confident they will do their best work, and elect leaders hoping they will govern our country effectively. But very often our trust is misplaced.

When dealing with humans you never know for sure what you are going to get. This is because no one is perfect. Even the best individuals can make mistakes or let us down. There is only one Person on Whom you can completely rely.

God’s People Turned From Trusting Him

God’s people had strayed far away from Him. In the time of Jeremiah, things had gotten about as bad as they could get. Idol worship was rampant and many misled worshipers even offered their own babies on altars to foreign gods. The religious leaders were just as bad. Many had turned away from the worship of the true God and rejected His prophets. These relied on their own errant understanding of worship and the power of foreign nations to come to their aid in troubled times brought on by their sin.

The prophet Jeremiah warned that those who trust in mankind and rely on the strength and wisdom of humans would be disappointed. He likened them to a bush in the desert  – dried up and destitute. Conversely those who rely on the Lord and put their trust in Him would prosper. They would be like a tree planted by a stream whose leaves stay green and bear fruit even in difficult times.

Even today people claim to worship God but turn first to other sources for guidance and help in times of difficulty. A friend, family member, co-worker, pastor, or government official may become the first choice for counsel or assistance. But even in the best of situations, a man or woman can let you down and leave you dry.

So Who Can We Really Trust?

There is only one way to flourish through every circumstance of life. Put your trust in the Lord and follow His laws carefully. He searches the heart and tests the mind of every individual, giving each a reward according to his ways.

Your clients may fail to pay for your services. Elected leaders may make bad decisions. Co-workers may let you down. But if you put your trust in the Lord, despite what life may bring, you will surely be blessed. You can count on it!!

Love,

Mama