Hey, Everybody!
Soon after this post is published, I’ll be on a plane to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for this weekend’s Living Proof Live. I love going to the Dakotas so I am filled with joy over the privilege to serve there and anticipating God’s gracious and obvious (please let it be, Lord) presence crowded around us and welling up within us. Please pray for Jesus to be exalted, experienced, and enthroned there and for many to be saved and stunningly delivered.
My Scripture memory selection this week is springing up from my Monday morning reading there in my den at home. I’ve mentioned many times that I use a different translation for my devotional and prayer time so that the words will fall particularly fresh on me and so that, if the reading happens to be a familiar segment, I can’t anticipate it and unintentionally dismiss it. The translation I often use is The NET Bible. I’m going to give you the whole segment I read Monday morning so that you’ll see the verse I’ve chosen this time around in its context. This is Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NET):
17:5Â The LORD says,
“I will put a curse on people
who trust in mere human beings,
who depend on mere flesh and blood for their strength,
and whose hearts have turned away from the LORD.
17:6Â They will be like a shrub in the desert.
They will not experience good things even when they happen.
It will be as though they were growing in the desert,
in a salt land where no one can live.
17:7Â My blessing is on those people who trust in me,
who put their confidence in me.
17:8Â They will be like a tree planted near a stream
whose roots spread out toward the water.
It has nothing to fear when the heat comes.
Its leaves are always green.
It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought.
It does not stop bearing fruit.
If you are like me, you found the way the NET translates the very first verse (V.5) a little disturbing. You’ll be relieved to know this isn’t the Scripture I’ve chosen to memorize (smiling) but it still needs addressing so that we’re not too distracted by it to engross ourselves in the remainder of the segment. If you’re familiar with the passage, you are probably more accustomed to wording like the NIV: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man.” The fact that the NET makes God the one “putting” the curse on man makes us squirm. Before we let it tie us in a knot and throw us in a lake of fear, we have to remind ourselves of our position in Christ. We have the glorious benefit of living this side of the completed work of the Cross and resurrection.
Galatians 3:13 says to our great relief: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'”
Jeremiah 17:5 is still tremendously relevant to us because it unfolds the misery of counting on mere flesh and blood. I wonder if the “curse” talked about in this verse is of the same ilk as the one in Genesis 3 that came directly from God to man after the fall in the Garden. If Adam and Eve were doing anything at all when they ate from that tree, they were shifting their trust from God to themselves – mere flesh and blood – by attempting to be God-like. Though the Cross of Christ bore the curse for us, we can still endure the desolation that invariably results from placing our trust and confidence in people rather than God. This gets us where we’re going in our post today. Look back at Jeremiah 17:6 because this is the part that totally captivated me.
“They will be like a shrub in the desert. They will not experience good things even when they happen.”
Read it again if you need to but don’t proceed until you’ve tried to absorb that second sentence. Have you ever been right in the middle of something good happening and yet missed the full experience and joyful impact of it? Surely you’ve said silently to yourself as I’ve said to myself, “I should really be happy right now. What is wrong with me??” You know the feeling. You’re in a celebration or service of some kind or a holiday gathering and yet you almost feel detached from it. You’re there. But you are somehow disconnected from experiencing it. You know “it” (the positive thing presently happening) but you can’t feel it. It’s a good thing but you don’t feel good about it…or in it. What on earth is that about?
Jeremiah would suggest that the experience of good can be disconnected from the good because we are in a season of shifted trust from God to man. When we’ve set our hopes for happiness in how well all our people are doing…getting along…flourishing…affirming us…satisfying us…and all-around-generally-blessing us, and we even get a glimmer of it, we can’t experience the good because we know down deep that we can’t hold onto it. As much as we love all our people, we know that, ultimately, they are not going to come through for us. One shoe will drop. Then the other. The disappointment will come. And the harmony we feel for this moment with our fellow humans could at any second flip upside down into complete mayhem.
Notice the part that says “they will be like a shrub in the desert.” Isn’t it ironic that the more we depend on flesh and blood to come through for us and to fulfill us, the more isolated we become? You’d think that numbers alone would insure company and community. In other words, why derive our strengths and confidences from one God when we could get infinitely more out of all these people? Out of all these communities? Out of all our fellow church members? Out of all our Facebook friends? Our fellow tweeters? Company is one click away.
But it never works that way, does it? We never can let down our guard completely and find any shred of real security from flesh and blood. The person obsessed with us today can turn on us tomorrow and we know it. The person who makes life worth living for us today could die on us tomorrow and we know it. I don’t mean to be morose. I just mean to point out the emotional tightrope we’re walking. Being vastly people-oriented rather than God-oriented always ends up taking us to a place of isolation because they’re invariably busy when we want to play, invariably distracted when we want attention, and invariably more taken with themselves than with us. And so, there we sit, with our trust and confidence in mere flesh and blood and we end up feeling like a shrub in a desert. Just as Jeremiah 17:6 says, “It will be as though [we] are growing in the desert, in a salt land where no one can live.”
Trust in man can seem a great place to visit but no one can really live there and come out calling it living.
It’s so odd to me that the more drawn I feel to God and the more taken I become with His Presence, the freer I am to love other people and the less I hold them responsible for me. Community with God increases our “experience” of good in a community of people. It is its own paradox.
And all of this brings us to the verse I have chosen for my memory work this time around:
Beth, Houston. My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me. Jeremiah 17:7 The NET Bible
And what earthly difference would that make? Well, let’s see…
“They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit.”
Notice a very intriguing contrast hidden in Jeremiah 17:8 – “It has nothing to fear when the heat comes.”
Reflect back on 17:6b – “They will not experience good things even when [good things] happen.”
When we place our confidence in mere flesh and blood, we are shortchanged even when good things happen. When we place our confidence in God, the Immortal Invisible, we have nothing to fear even when hard things happen. The former leaves us a dry shrub. The latter makes us a fruit-bearing tree.
We never get this lesson learned once and for all, do we? Or maybe it’s just me. I still get so tempted to put my confidence in people and to think that, if all my loved ones were safe, well, and flourishing, I could be so happy. The truth of it is, I do want those things for my loved ones but God alone can come through for them and for me. Anyway, at the end of the day, I could have everything this world could offer and all the good that man could possibly do me and still sit back and think, “Why doesn’t it feel better than this?”
My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me.
Let’s hear your verses, Sisters!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
LISA S.
KINSTON,NC
JEREMIAH 17:7 THE NET BIBLE
My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me.
Edna, O’Fallon, MO
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 106:1, ESV
Lisa M, Davidsville, PA
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Psalms 56:3-4 ESV
Kristin V from Greenwood, IN: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 NIV
Melinda in San Antonio
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Carrie, Burnsville, MN
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Deborah, Augusta, GA
“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. ”
-Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
Deanna, Frisco
Isaiah 58:10 (NLT)
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
Tangila, Pearland TX
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Philippians 2:9, 10 NLT)
Paige in Lincoln, NE
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,[e] 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 HCSB
Shelley, from Bolivar, MO
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Matthew 6:33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never seen – don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” MSG
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of
worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23 NIV
Sharron, Spring, TX
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Col 3:13 NIV
John 8:12 NIV: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Pat, Littlefield, Tx.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
I Thessalonians 4: 11-12
Ellen, Moneta VA
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. -Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT)
For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
Michelle Prairieville, LA
My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me. Jeremiah 17:7 The NET Bible
Mandy, Watkinsville, GA
Jer. 17:7 (NET) “My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in me.”
Deborah from Calgary,Alberta -Ephesians 6:12. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Tracey Moyers from Loganville, GA
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
Phil 2:5 NKJV
Gail
McDonough, Ga
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 17:7 NET
Katie Melton from Loganville, GA
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
Phil 2:5 NKJV
Debbie- Ringgold, Georgia-
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the Kingdom of the SON HE loves, in WHOM we have redemption the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
Christa from Az
Mark 10:27 (NLT) Jesus looked at them intently & said, “humanly speaking it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with _God.”
Romans 8:6 (GNT) “To be controlled by human nature results in death, tobe controlled by the Spirit results in life & peace.”
Marti, Loganville, Ga
Whom have I in heaven but you? and earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25 NIV
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
He turned to me and heard my cry.”
Psalm 40:1 (NIV)
Jill Sayles, Puyallup, WA
Isaiah 58:12, NLT
“Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.”
Misti, Brookshire, TX
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 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.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
Bombey, Bellaire TX
Psalm 34:4
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. NIV84
Elizabeth, Pittsburgh, PA:
Matthew 5:6, NIV:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Praise The one and only true God. The Lord of Abraham, The Lord of Moses, The Lord of Isaac, and The Lord of Jacob. Because of His love we can leave sin at the cross and we can leave our doubts at the tomb. In the past year and 1/2, I have lost 21 yr career, 16 yr marriage, partial custody of my 14 yr old daughter, and I nearly lost my life from a stroke. I am 42 yrs old. Our amazing God is so very faithful and present. Blindly walking by our faith alone trusting in The Lord alone and we see His Glory after devastating storms if we rely on Him. “Though He slay me, still I will praise Him.” (My paraphrase of Job’s response to his trials.)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand! <3 Isa. 41:10 (NLT)
Kim B. in Thatcher, AZ
Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 NIV
“My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in me.”
Jeremiah 17:7.
The NET Bible
From Stafford, Texas Psalm 34:3 “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” NKJV
Cindy, living in Cochem, Germany: I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119.30 (NIV)
Lisa, Andalusia, Alabama
“Don’t you know that as long as you do what is right, then I accept you? But if you do not do what is right, then watch out, because sin is crouching at the door, ready to pounce on you! You must master it before it masters you.
Genesis 4:7 The Voice
Arlington, TX
Matthew 17:20-21 HCSB
20 “Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you wil tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing wil be impossible for you.
21 However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.”
Jennifer, Medford OR
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23 (NASB)
Debbie
Olathe, KS
Psalm 139:15 -(NIV) “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,…”
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MSG)
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
“My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me”.
Jeremiah 17:7
The NET Bible
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas. “My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 MSG
Pat, Birmingham, Al
The Message Proverbs 12:25
Worry weighs us down, a cheerful word picks us up.
Gwen, Muskogee, OK James 1:19 NLT Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
I move on toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The heavenly prize is Jesus Himself.
Phil. 3:14 NIRV
Wendy Smith, Plano TX
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Eph 3:16-17 NLT
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
Romans 12:12 NLT