Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.
Reflection: "Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings". Sounds pretty grim, doesn't it? Aren't we taught from a young age to trust others--your parents, your friends, your teachers? Of course we are--and we should when it is appropriate. The point of this passage is not "trust no one" but rather to emphasize that the basis of our trust must be in the Lord above all. One who ONLY trusts in other people will ultimately be disappointed. It may work for you for a little while, but eventually your life will be like the barren and empty world the verse describes. Only through trust in God will we truly thrive and bear fruit in good times and bad.
Challenge: "Let go and let God". Think of one thing in your life that you are "holding back" from trusting God with--a relationship, a fear, a desire--and pledge to give it up to God by offering a prayer and telling God that you are letting go of that specific thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment