When the Heat Comes

Jeremiah 17:7-9

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord

And his trust is the Lord.

For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

That extends its roots by a stream

And will not fear when the heat comes;

But its leaves will be green,

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought

Nor cease to yield fruit.

 

Have you ever been there? Ever had a time when life feels dry and barren… A time of drought emotionally, relationally, spiritually?

I think we all have.

A few years ago I experienced one of those times. I felt barren and unfruitful; unwanted, unneeded, and forgotten. I was fearful, anxious, and uncertain that life would ever be good again. When I woke in the morning I could barely lift my head. I walked through the day eyes down, shoulders drooped, bone-weary and cried out.

That’s when I discovered this verse.

I clung to Jeremiah 17 like a drowning woman clings to a life preserver. I memorized it and repeated it over and over in my head. This verse brought me safely back to shore. It reminded me, once again, that my blessing comes not from what I do, what I produce, whom I know, or who knows me. My blessing will never come from people, possessions, position, or praise.

No… My blessing comes from trusting the Lord.

It is He who produces fruit. It is He who mends relationships. It is He who opens (and thankfully, closes) doors. It is He who heals. It is He who renews. It is He who holds me in the palm of His hand.

Really… It’s all Him.

I have so many dear friends experiencing drought right now. They’ve been abandoned, abused, deserted, and divorced. They’ve received diagnosis’ for themselves and their loved ones of cancer, autism, Asperger’s, and dementia. Some are carless, jobless, and homeless.

They have every reason to fear.

They have every reason to be anxious.

They are feeling the heat.

Their pain seems without pity and without end.

But God…

If it weren’t for God, they would be without help, without hope, without a Hero.

But God…

Today I’m praying for them, and I’m praying for you, and I’m praying for me, that together we would trust in the Lord and that He would be our trust. Then, regardless of our circumstances, in the midst of the drought and the heat, He will produce the kind of fruit that could only come from Him.

Our job is to trust, dear ones… He’ll take care of the rest.

Blessings,

Megan