Jeremiah 17:7-8 AMP
Who do you trust in a crisis?
The coronavirus and man’s attempt for its cure have created one of the most surprising global panics of our lifetime. Some say this virus is more impactful to our nation than the terrorist attacks of 9-11! Others say the cure may be worse than the disease itself. Many people are fearful of sickness, while multitudes are battling anxiety of the unknown concerning jobs and finances. Churches are suffering, as people are inclined to give less due to lost employment or business. I have never witnessed such a spirit of fear dominating the globe! I believe the Lord drew me to these scriptures to encourage us all.
Trust not. Jeremiah 17:5 isn’t assurance that all will be well, but instead, the context of this verse tells us where we should not place our trust;
“Thus, says the LORD, ’Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, and whose mind and heart turn away from the LORD.’”
Jeremiah 17:5 AMP
Trust God.
We can choose to put our confidence in God and be blessed! Notice when we trust in mankind, our mind and heart can turn away from the Lord. God is saying that we have a choice of who we will trust in crisis: We can depend on our stockpiles of food (or toilet paper!) We can put our hope in the government to hastily give away trillions of dollars for economic rescue. We can rely on medical experts to tell us when a vaccine will come and save us. OR, we can trust Father God!
Nourished like a tree.
Notice, like a tree, we are “nourished” from deep, unseen places. As you pray, exercise your God-given imagination to see your faith going down like roots below the surface of your challenges to find nourishment in Him. A tree doesn’t bear fruit without these roots. While the outside of a tree looks dormant in the winter, its roots are digging deeper. Wine experts tell us the best wine comes from vines grown in the roughest, rockiest, driest soils–- because the roots have to go deeper to find water and nourishment! May this current crisis help us grow deeper roots of faith!
Do not be anxious.
How can we “not be anxious” in a drought? The Hebrew word “daag” means to be full of anxiety or fear to the point of sorrow. God doesn’t just tell us what not to do; He also tells us what to do. Instead of choosing worry and anxiety, we are told to pray!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”
Philippians 4:6 NLT
We are told to pray about everything with thanksgiving. Ask God for what you specifically need. He promises that our simple, child-like acts of faith will bring new peace to our lives.
Bearing fruit.
The conclusion of this short passage is that we will bear fruit in drought. Bearing fruit does not come from our efforts (John 15:4-8), but by being connected to Him. We don’t have to strain to bear fruit; a branch that abides in the vine lets fruit grow as God purposes. He promises we will even bear fruit in drought! Your fruit may be leading people to Christ, giving to those in need, or hiring people who’ve lost their job.
Ask God to show you the fruit you are bearing in this crisis.
GUIDING TRUTHS
