Blessed

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
“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.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

While some trees are changing colors, the three orange trees and the lemon tree in my backyard are full of green fruit. Underneath the trees, a drip irrigation system provides water. Last week, the sprinkler system wasn’t working, so the trees didn't receive water for over a week. The trees looked droopy, tired, and dry. With a hose nearby, I turned on the water full blast and soaked the roots.

These verses today give such a beautiful picture of trees that are flourishing and fruitful.

This image is what Jeremiah uses to declare “blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

What captures my attention is the statement in verse 8, “it does not fear and it has no worries.”
Stop the bus! What is he saying? No fear and no worries? I want some of that!

Life is filled with numerous challenges that grip us in fear and worry. Our finances, our health, our families, our futures are just some of the areas we can choose to fear. But what does Jeremiah say when he calls us blessed? “The one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” Trust and confidence in exchange for fear and worry.

Choosing to intentionally trust when we are programmed to fear is an act of our mind and will. My practice lately has been to say, out loud for my brain to hear, “I choose to trust You, Lord.”

A recent song on my playlist by Elevation Worship is “Blessed Assurance”…These lyrics give voice to my heart: “I trust in God, my Savior, the One who will never fail, No He will never fail.”

We can be like a thriving, flourishing tree when we trust and put our confidence in the Lord.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being faithful and trustworthy. Help us trust You with everyone and everything, to fully experience the call of being “blessed.” Thank You. In Jesus Name, Amen.