SHRUB OR TREE?

SHRUB OR TREE?

Are you a shrub or a tree?  Jeremiah causes us to think about that in chapter 17.  Let’s look and ask ourselves.  (Jer. 17:5-10, 13) 

Jeremiah—spoke to the southern Kingdom—nation of Judah.  Israel—northern kingdom had gone into captivity by Assyria.  Now Babylon is on the horizon. 

Israel fell because of their sin.  Would Judah do the same and be overtaken also?  Or would they turn to God, and Him alone? 

Notice the contrast—“Cursed is the man who trusts in man—whose heart turns away from the LORD.”  But “blessed is the man who trusts  in the LORD.” 

Which would they choose—cursings/problems/captivity from God or blessings?  And all due to their sin of turning away from God. 

When people are more dependent on people than they are on God, they are in trouble.  People are not trustworthy—especially in relation to an all-powerful, loving, eternal God. 

There are those who trust in:

1)      Their husband or wife or family instead of God—trouble

2)      Their government instead of God

3)      Their political party instead of God

4)      Money and power

5)      Job or profession rather than God

Which is eternal?  Which is more worthy of trust?  Jeremiah would say, “God!” 

People are sinful—people often have good intentions but do not always have power to carry out their wishes or desires. 

But God is none of those.  However, we still get caught up, at times, in trusting others more than we do trusting God. 

One who trusts in God:

1)      a tree planted by running water—sending out roots to the water

2)      leaves are always green due to the presence of the water, so

a.      no fear of heat

b.      no fear of drought

c.      never fails to bear fruit

                                                               i.      Fruit bearing must depend on ongoing relationship with God 

Note again the contrast—One who trusts human beings:

1)      like a bush (not a tree) in the wastelands

2)      Not see prosperity when it comes

3)      Dwell in parched places of desert 

The person trusting only in the physical, in the human, may survive, though barely.  But the person trusting God thrives, even in the most harsh circumstances. 

v. 9  “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?”  Jeremiah asks. 

1)      One reason to trust God—His heart is not like that.  He is dependable

2)      Deceitful--our heart--

a.      At times, our heart tries to deceive others

b.      At times, our heart deceives us about the rightness or wrongness of things

c.      Who can understand the human heart—only God! (v. 10) 

v. 10 Only God can truly know the human heart—and be just in His dealing with us.  Only God really knows what is inside of us. 

v. 13  Notice the descriptions of God:

1)      Hope of Israel—there is always hope with God because there is always hope in God—He is totally trustworthy

2)      Spring of living water—where is true life and true food and true water found—in God alone.  John 10:10  “I came that you might have life and have it abundantly.” 

a.      Living water—flowing or moving water

b.      Represents a constant source—a life giving source

c.      Picture in Ezekiel and Revelation—a stream that flows out from the throne of God—God’s life giving Spirit 

Why would anyone turn away from trusting God for trusting in humans or human institutions?  Because our heart is deceitful—sinful—unbelieving—lacking faith.

This summer—drought and heat—many bushes and trees have died—not flourished.  They didn’t get the needed water—life giving water. 

How can believers be sure they do not turn away from God to other lesser things? 

Through regular time with the Lord—regular, daily time in the Scriptures.   

In good times, we need the life giving words of Scripture.  When times are hard, we especially need them, so we do not give up. 

Scripture helps us see where our heart is being deceitful. 

Scripture also helps us receive the hope found only in God and the true, living words of God. 

Scripture sustains us—feeds us—waters us—teaches us about God so we believe what it says about Him instead of what others might say or our hearts may even say about God. 

Be a tree—not a bush.  Trust God above everyone and everything else.  And even in hard times, you will flourish.