"Tree Planted by the Water?"
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD … He will be like a tree planted by the water…” Jeremiah 17
Leaving the desert in the botanical conservatory, one enters the tropical forest complete with waterfall and lush greenery. What a refreshing contrast to the arid wasteland! Jeremiah offers a similar contrast to Judah in need of repentance.
While disobedience and rebellion against God lead a person to be cursed like a bush in the wastelands, Jeremiah describes the opposite hope: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). How glorious and inviting this description of one who trusts in the Lord!
Would Jeremiah identify you as by God’s grace a tree planted by the water? The Savior died for you on that barren tree in the wastelands. A stream of living water flows forth from Him – a stream of healing, forgiveness, and refreshment. God has planted you as a flourishing tree by the waters of Baptism. Repentant of sin, your roots reach out to that living stream. Despite the heat and drought of temptation around you, your leaves remain green, and through God’s never-failing supply of living water in Word and sacraments, you bear fruit daily among family and friends, co-workers, and fellow Christians. What a joy to trust in the Lord “like a tree planted by the water” – His water of life!
PRAYER: O Lord, help me to continue to bear the fruit of Your love as I witness to my family and friends of Your sacrifice on the cross for us all. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 45-46 Romans 8:22-39
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