Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 17:1-18
Memory Verse: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is ” – Jeremiah 17:7
God gave Jeremiah this powerful warning: “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departed from the LORD” vs 5.
We must be careful not to place our ultimate trust in people, because God knows that “the heart of man is more deceitful than all else and is desperately wicked.” Having thoroughly searched people’s hearts and minds, He urges us to realise these truths about humankind. Man on his own, cannot be trusted or relied upon, it takes God in man, to make man trust worthy and reliable, even some of those who called themselves Christians Many people have been badly disappointed as a result of betrayal and false promises of fellow human, but God cannot lie and He cannot fail, He is the only one that can be trusted.
God provides a vivid contrast here. On one hand, we see the life of blessing and prosperity that He promises for those who trust Him. He offers a picture of continual supply, for those who trust in Him “will be like a tree planted by the water.”
They will be in a position to receive from Him no matter what is going on in the world around them. Even in drought, they will prosper.
In contrast, those who trust in other people find themselves detached from God. Not depending on Him, they will not receive His continual flow of blessings. Instead, they will find themselves living “in parched places in the wilderness, in salt land and not inhabited” vs 6.
The Bible makes it clear that God desires to bless every part of our lives, he has sufficient grace for everyone of us. To receive these blessings through his grace, we must fear Him, serve Him in holiness and keep His commandments.
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain – Psalm 127:1
Many people are selfish and self centred, they will present an outward impression of love and care for you, but behind you, they are betrayals and unreliable, they will make many pleasant promises, but in the secret corner of their hearts, many know they will not keep those promises. This is why the bible says in Jeremiah 17:9; The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Vs 10; I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. God will judge every work that is done here in earth.
Instead of being self-centered, and untrustworthy, we must seek to please God, let us live our lives in genuine fear of God and in holiness; be ready to give of what God has given us, seeking to bless others and further His Kingdom here on earth. Remember that a day is coming which is coming very soon, that God will judge in the open every secret things that we do, give your life to Christ today and escape the great wrath of God which is coming soon, God is looking for men and women who can be trusted to worship him and to serve him in holiness and righteousness.
I pray that the almighty God will give you the heart of Christ so that Christ alone will rule and reign in your life so that you can be trustworthy in Jesus name.
Prayer point: O LORD, please reign in me and help me be trustworthy.
Key Dose: Whatever God does not give, you cannot get, and if you do, it will not last.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)
