Jeremiah 17.7-8
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Growing in our faith and seeing real change can be discouraging. We shame ourselves, feel bad about how poorly our walk with the Lord is, and that discouragement makes it easy to give up. So how do I start winning the war, and slowly start to see real change? How do I see growth and transformation in the areas of my life that are stale, dying, decaying, hardened, or stagnant?
The three primary gifts God gives us
to battle against the flesh
and to be enlivened by
the power of the Gospel
are the gifts of
His Word, prayer, and His people.
Trees provide many important resources, most notably oxygen for our breath, fruit for our health, shade from the scorching sun, and even when they are chopped down, lumber for our shelters. But to do these things, a tree needs to be healthy, fed with plenty of water.
God’s Word, prayer, and God’s people are the roots that bring that tree its living water. And what is that living water? The living water is the Gospel, the Good News of what Christ has done for us. We need to be watered with reminders of God’s love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace each and every day, because the Word says that the Gospel alone is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1.16). This Good News is the power that changes us!
A tree planted that sends its roots into that water is a tree that provides oxygen, fruit, and shade to the world around it. Likewise, when I am immersed in that water, I will grow and become the kind of person that will provide life-giving truth, love, care, and the sharing of the Gospel to those around me. As a tree grows over the years from getting plenty of water, it grows strong and tall, and eventually, though it may be chopped down, it leaves a strong legacy that will live on and continue to provide for others. Likewise, a believer who grows strong will continue to provide through their testimony and legacy of the Gospel for years to come, blessing many long past they have gone to be with Jesus.
Are my “roots” dipped in the water? Does my time in the Word bring me to the power of the Gospel? If it doesn’t now, it can! Is my time in prayer bringing me to encounter Christ and His promises? If not, it can! Am I pressing into other believers that God has put in my life for the purpose of being challenged and refreshed by the Gospel? If not, I can! This can often be a slow, frustrating pursuit, but the Gospel reminds me that my God loves and desires me deeply and is committed to drawing me into the life-changing presence of His joy and love. I can train myself to help these roots find the living water.
Read Again Out Loud and Turn it into a Prayer:
Jeremiah 17.7-8
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 1.1–6
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not
in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates
day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted
by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff
that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand
in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation
of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way
of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pray Aloud:
O God, You know my weakness.
I am poor and destitute.
I cannot do or think
anything good without You.
Help and strengthen me with Your grace,
That I may resolve not only
to avoid the evil You forbid,
But also to do the good You command.
Amen.
–The Irish Handbook of the Holy League, Dublin, 1890
Father in Heaven, I thank You
that You have adopted me
and You call me Yours.
I am asking You to cause Your Name
to be magnified in __________,
and that this would transform ________,
causing Your will to be done in their life.
Give __________ truth that they need today,
that Your Spirit would bring Your promises to mind,
helping _______ to repent of sin.
Lead _______ heart away from temptation,
but instead be led by Your Spirit
towards the love of Jesus.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Click Here to Have These Devotionals
Sent to Your Phone Daily
(U.S. Residents Only)
