Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

February 12
Thursday


THE WELL-
WATERED LIFE

READ
Jeremiah 17:1-8
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He shall be like a
tree planted by the
waters...; its leaf
will be green.
__Jeremiah 17:8
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I have a friend who lives on a ranch in the wide-open spaces of Montana. The road to his home is a long trail that winds through the parched and barren landscape of the wilderness. As you drive toward his home, you can't help but notice the contrasting strip of green trees and vibrant vegetation meandering through the ranch. One of the finest trout rivers in North America cuts through the property, and anything that grows near its banks gets the benefit of an unending source of vital water.

This is the picture Jeremiah paints when he says that those who trust in the Lord are "like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river" (Jer. 17:8). Many may choose the wilting heart and choking drought of life apart from God, but those who trust in God will be vibrant and fruitful. Depending on Him is like putting our roots into the refreshing water of His goodness. We are strengthened with the confidence that His steadfast love for us will never fail.

God will ultimately make all things right. Trusting that He will turn our pain to gain and use suffering to mature us empowers us to become fruit-bearers in a dry and thirsty land. __Joe Stowell

````````````````Lord, thank You for not leaving me alone```````````````````
```````````````in the withering heat of life. I will put the``````````````````
`````````````````roots of my trust into the river of Your```````````````````
````````````````unfailing promises and steadfast love!````````````````````
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Put your roots down by the river of God's goodness.

**********************Today's Bible Reading __ Jeremiah 17:1-8**********************

1 "The sin of Judah is
written with a pen of iron;
with the point of a diamond
it is engraved on the tablet
of their heart, and on the
horns of your altars, 2 while
their children remember
their altars and their
wooden images by the
green trees on the high
hills. 3 O My mountain in
the field, I will give as
plunder your wealth, all
your treasures, and your
high places of sin within all
your borders. 4 And you,
even yourself, shall let go
of your heritage which I
gave you; and I will cause
you to serve your enemies
in the land which you do
not know; for you have
kindled a fire in My anger
which shall burn forever."

5 Thus says the LORD:
"Cursed is the man who
trusts in man and makes
flesh his strength, whose
heart departs from the
LORD. 6 For he shall be like
a shrub in the desert, and
shall not see when good
comes, but shall inhabit the
parched places in the
wilderness, in a salt land
which is not inhabited.

7 "Blessed is the man who
trusts in the LORD and
whose hope is the LORD.

8 For he shall be like a tree
planted by the waters,
which spreads out its roots
by the river, and will not
fear when heat comes; but
its leaf will be green, and
will not be anxious in the
year of drought, nor will
cease from yielding fruit."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The words of Jeremiah 17:7-8 echo those of Psalm 1:2-3; Blessed are
those who "delight in the law of the LORD....They are like trees
planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves
never wither, and they prosper in all they do" (NLT).

[Mackenaw]

Amen!