Trust In The Lord
A few weeks ago, I gave a sermon at CLF called “Let It Go”. And to be completely truthful, there have been many days I wished I would have “let it go” before I gave it! I have been greatly challenged in my life about what I preached, particularly in the area of letting go of fear and anxiety. It has been a very interesting journey over the last few weeks. Today in my quiet time the Lord led me to Jeremiah 17:7-8. “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.” (NKJV)
In youth last Sunday, I challenged the teens that when we are obedient to the Lord in our daily walk, in the small and the big things, the He is responsible for the outcomes in our lives. I don’t know about you, but I find myself way too often focused on what I want the outcomes to be and neglect the day to day yielding to His leading in my life. And I can become completely stressed out when I think of all of the “what if’s” that might happen. But when the Lord dropped these verses in my heart today, it was like a breath of fresh air – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord…and will not fear when heat comes…and will not be anxious in the year of drought.” This is a very challenging time for many folks in our area. Hundreds of families have lost their jobs in just the last 10 days. Uncertainty fills the air. But we have hope – the hope of His promises. Even we pastors can be overcome with fear and anxiety. When the economy is faltering, it doesn’t just affect the pocketbooks of households, it affects church finances. Bills still have to be paid. But I’m continually reminded that no man is our source. My Source lacks for nothing. My Source isn’t worried. My Source isn’t caught off guard. I have no need to fear when the heat of uncertainty is breathing down my neck. I have no need to be anxious in the year of drought. My hope is in the Lord and I will be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river to obtain provision and life from the Living Water.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 says, “…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” (NKJV) If you return to Jeremiah 17, the verses before the ones mentioned earlier say, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength.” (Jer. 17:5, NKJV). I choose to trust in the Lord. Why would I trust in a man (myself or anyone else) when I can trust in the Creator of all men. Something for you to think about…