Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. 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. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Like A Tree Planted By The Waters

When a man learns to trust in the Lord for everything he needs, a refreshing spirit of peace and tranquility covers the heart and makes life a journey filled with contentment. The messengers of the eternal word have always shown the futility of human wisdom. There is nothing that lasts when humanity pursues the carnal desires of the flesh, worldly ambitions, and senseless occupations of earthly gain. A person can achieve all the financial success of life and possess more misery and heartache than a poor man. Trusting in the Lord brings peace, solitude, and hope.

There is something beautiful about a vibrant river flowing by a grassy knoll filled with aged trees of great strength and beauty. A tree planted by the waters never lacks what it needs most of all. The water from the river refreshes, revives, and restores the tree throughout the harsh seasons. Storms batter the tree, but it is planted firmly by the waters, spreading its roots firmly into the ground. Heat cannot diminish the beauty of the tree. The river supplies nutrients to sustain the greenery of the abundant cover of leaves that fill its branches.

Like a tree planted by the water, the soul who embeds its life in the grace of God will never faint from heat, succumb to the harsh weather, and will be sustained by the flowing gifts of the Lord that abound from His presence. True peace comes only from the Lord. Life can be hard and cruel, but the Lord offers shelter for the times of trial. Trusting in the Lord is giving complete control and understanding to the will of the Father. It does not suggest that difficult days will not come, but God assures His children that He will cover them with the mantle of His glory to protect them.

One of the things that most people lack in their lives is direction and purpose. The prophet Jeremiah answers both of those questions. When a man directs his heart to the Lord, he will find purpose in life. True peace comes when a man plants his life near the waters of the living stream flowing from the throne of God. The living waters of Jesus Christ drive away the heat of the world. Through the sustenance of the living waters, life is filled with the glory of God to blossom into branches filled with green leaves. The fruit of a life devoted to the Lord brings forth contentment and joy. When the storms come, the tree (the life of the Christian) is firmly planted in the love of God and will not be destroyed. In the days of heat, the nourishment of the living water will refresh the soul. Trusting in God is planting your life next to the river of God.

Trials will come in life; if a man is unprepared, those trials can be devastating. Seeking to plant the heart on the side of the river of the Lord will bring about the blessings of God’s care and love. It begins with trust and blossoms into love. Life needs a purpose. That purpose can only be found when the heart is planted where God is. The blessing of godliness is trusting in the Lord. When you trust in the Lord, you will find meaning in life: it’s called hope!