

Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. "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."
It's been a grouchy day today. I am deeply worried about events in the news right now; a friend is about to be homeless; there's sickness in the family. And where shall I find help?
Not in human beings, that's for sure. No, human help is a fine thing, but limited. There's only so much that a doctor, a social worker, a politician can do; and then what, when they can do no more? Should we just give up and die?
No. Jeremiah knows the answer: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord." Someone like that is like a tree growing by a river, where its roots always find water, even during a drought. In good times and bad, people who trust the Lord will have help that never fails—wisdom that never makes mistakes—love that never gives up. They have Jesus Christ, and He is their Life forever.
Is someone in my family sick? I will pray to the Lord, because I know He cares about them, and if He sees that it is best, He can heal them. What about my homeless friend? The Lord already knows what to do about that—and it's just possible He might be looking in my direction, at my spare bedroom! And what about the news? Can the Lord deal with that?
Yes. Because there is no evil so strong that God is not stronger still. Jesus came into our world to defeat the powers of darkness and to set us free from sin and death. He did this by facing evil Himself, in His own body, through His own suffering and death. And three days later, Jesus rose to life again. Now we know that, no matter what comes to us, even death itself, Jesus is stronger. Jesus is with us, and He will never leave us. He will raise us too from the dead—and bring us safely into the kingdom of God His Father, where no evil can ever go.
WE PRAY: Lord, when I am afraid, help me trust in You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are you afraid of, right now?
2. What does the world say you should do to overcome your problem?
3. What can God do—what has God already done, to save you from your fear?
Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 12-13 Matthew 26:1-35
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