Daily Devotions 20th Feb 2017

Jeremiah 17: 8They will be like a tree planted by the water.

The context of today’s scripture starts from verse 5-7 onwards which reads, ‘Cursed is the one who trust in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a slat land where no one lives.’

This is a warning to all who turn their backs to God and who rely on their own strength and human resources. When the people turn away from God, they invoke a curse upon their lives, because verse 5 clearly tells us this.

Then this warning turns into a blessing if the people turn back to God. In verse 7-8 it says; ‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.’ Jeremiah made a comparison of a person who is obedient to God, instead of facing the wrath of God and bearing His wrath, an obedient believer will receive the blessing of God.

Jeremiah liken it to the example of a tree planted besides the river where its roots will go deep and strong. It would also be continuously able to draw the life giving water from the river. The tree would be strong and healthy with much leaves and will bear much fruit.

Jeremiah is illustrating a comparison of a strong and fruitful tree to that of a faithful believer. He will also have a strong spiritual life; his faith will be secured upon the foundation of the word of God which is compared to the fresh running water in the river which will give him the spiritual nourishment. With the strong foundation of the scriptures in his life, the faithful believer will not be shaken even when facing the strongest storms.

Today the Christian community at home is still very much affected by the abduction of a pastor by an unknown gang of men over the last week. However the pastor’s family members are believers who are well grounded in the word and they are spiritually matured. No matter what happens, they are looking to God and trusting in Him. They are comforted in that they know that God is still in control and even in the worst case scenario they know that God is still in control.

This is a simple illustration of what Jeremiah is saying in today’s verse, the family members are like a tree planted by the water. Having said that let us stand in unity in intercession for the pastor and his family at this very testing and challenging time. Let us continue to pray and believe in a miracle from God for this family.