feb 24, 2005 A Tree By Running Water

Feb 24, 2005 Jer 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream;
It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.

Trust in the Lord. It gives the strength of a great tree with its roots stretched into the lifegiving stream of faith. If my heart is turned to God, there is no trial or stress that will stop me from bearing fruit. To me this means growing into a life which fully uses all the gifts that I have been given. A tree is rooted and steadfast not moving from site to site.