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):
17:5 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.
17:6 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.
17:7 My blessing is on those people who trust in me,
who put their confidence in me.
17:8 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
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9, 10 NIV)
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
Kathi Nitzsche
Lexington, OH
Yes, you who trust Him recognize the honor God has given Him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”
1 Peter 1:7 NLT
Soozi, Lexington, KY. “You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.” Psalm 73:24 (NLT)
Susan House
Lady Lake, FL
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14. NIV
Joelle, Abilene, Tx
My blessing is on those people who trust in me,
who put their confidence in me.
(Jeremiah 17:7 NET)
Crystal, San Antonio, TX
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 NIV
Donalda Reimer, Osler, SK
James 5:16 NLT
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Lisa Braun
Warman, Saskatchewan Canada
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
Revelation 12:11
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 17:7 NET
Lamentations 3:25 NKJV
The Lord is good to those who wait for HIm, to the soul who seeks Him.
Julie, Chesterland OH
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Psalm 119:160 ESV
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
Matthew 7:7(KJV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1Cor. 1;18 NIV
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
Romans 12:12 NLT
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Melanie, Armuchee, GA
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV)
Rebecca, Corpus Christi
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 17:7
NIV Study Bible
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Amber
Laporte, MN
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, Don’t judge by his appearance or height for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7 NIV
Stephanie, Abilene, TX
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14, ESV
Billie, Greenville, KY “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV
Leah from Bloomington, IN My Blessing is on those people who trust in Me. Who put their confidence in Me. Jeremiah 17:7 the NET
Emily (Kemptville, Ontario) Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Pro 22:6
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. NIV Philppians 3:14
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from The Lord who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2 ESV
Joan A., Dousman, WI
For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20. NIV
Sandy in Long Beach, CA.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still water.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever
Psalms:23 NKJV
Regina, Salado, TX
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Andrea Dublin, OH
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. NIV
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
P.S. I’ve been at camp even more the last couple of weeks, so I’ve gotten waaaaayyyy behind on everything! I’m a little stressed.
Jeri, Draper UT
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Shawna, Longmont, CO
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Lindsey Johnson
San Antonio, TX
(Joshua 1:9 ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NASB)
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
kerry
sheridan, wy
the Names of God Bible
Is.60: 14-15
“the descendants of those who oppress you will bow in front
of you. All who despise you will bow at your feet.
They will call you the city of Yahweh, Zion, the city of
Qedosh Yisrael.
You have been abandoned and hated: no one has passed through
you. But now I will make you a source of everlasting
pride, a joy for all generations.
“When I am afraid I will trust in you”. Psalm 56:3 NIV
Paula, Okc, OK: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8 NIV (Tip: There are 8 words in this verse, corresponding w/ the verse number!)
Sandra
Wichita Falls
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6b NIV
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:26 KJV
Danyelle
Dayton, OH
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Jeanne San Antonio, TX
Better late than never 😉
2 Chronicles 15:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.
Stephanie Solomon, Morgantown, WV.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10) ESV.
Stacey, Omaha, NE
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Emily (age 13)and Ally (age 11)
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Luke 19:10 NLT
Kristina, Duluth, MN
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
Matthew 5:7-8 NIV
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
Cheryl Primeaux, Pensacola, FL
Psalm 27:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 Wait for the Lord;be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Cami
Nashville, TN
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
Peggy from Homer, IL
James 3:13 NIV who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.