Daily Devotional

-March 21, 2021-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

-Fruitfulness At All Times-

“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 cease from yielding fruit.”

(Jeremiah 17:7-8).

In California we have been living through many droughts over the last few years. Water is life, it grows our crops and provides refreshment and drinking water for all. In biblical days, God used drought and other means to get the attention of His people. Spiritual drought for the Word of God is far worse than physical drought.

In our text today, the prophet Jeremiah is demonstrating how men and women of God who are trusting in the Lord and putting their hope in Him can survive and thrive in all circumstances. The righteous are described as trees planted by rivers of water, which spread out its roots by the river. Just as trees, especially fruit trees, need water to grow and flourish, we need the water of the Word in this dry, parched, and sinful world.

Christians are resilient, they don’t give up. They pray and keep on praying, crying out to the Lord for His help. Jeremiah mentions four important ways we can make it through spiritual droughts and harsh conditions. God wants us to be victorious and healthy under any and all conditions.

• They will not fear when heat comes – Heat is a symbol of trials in our lives. There is no need to fear, when Jesus is near. We have the Lord with us and His Word. We find refreshment and satisfaction in God, and He blesses if we stay planted where God has planted us in His will, in the local church he has put us in, and serving Him in the ministry He has called us to.

• But its leaf will be green – When tree branches and leafs are green it is a sign of health and vibrancy. Other trees may become brown and even die. We as believers look around and see the devastation Covid-19 has wrought on the world, the USA, and on everyone. It has affected every person in some way. This is why we must cling to the Lord and rely fully on Him. This health crisis will end and things will return to normal, or at least the new normal. Let us stay green, close to the Lord and in His Word and prayer daily.

• And will not be anxious in the year of drought – Anxiety only makes things worse for us and those around us. The Lord knows our needs and He provides for us in His time. If you are reading this you are still alive and God has been so merciful and gracious. We have been through a year of drought with this pandemic. We can see light at the end of the tunnel, we must continue to hang in there.

• Nor cease from yielding fruit – God’s will is for us to be fruitful always and in all ways, even in our old age. Psalm 92:13-14 says, “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”

May the Lord help us to be fruitful in and through all circumstances. Let us be a blessing to those around us, showing them that the Lord is our hope and that we trust in Him. May we continue to bear fruit.

Have a blessed day trusting the Lord and serving Him fruitfully no matter our circumstances. Stay safe and healthy.