Reading

• Jer. 15:10-17:18

Devotional

GOD shares some very important wisdom in today’s reading—wisdom that applies to every person, regardless of the time period that they live.

⁵ Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD. ⁶ “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. ⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. ⁸ “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.  ⁹ “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? ¹⁰ “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.
(Jer. 17:5-10 NASB)

We need to place our trust in GOD and not in people. People make mistakes. Often even while having very good intentions we mess up. People can also break promises, lie, change our mind, and turn against one another. GOD, on the other hand, never makes mistakes. He always does what is right. He has all wisdom and knowledge and, even though we might not understand why He tells us to do (or avoid doing) something, we need to trust Him because He knows best. While humans are short-sighted, unable to see the future, GOD sees the end at the beginning and therefore is supremely qualified to direct our steps. Also, GOD will never break a promise. It is impossible for Him to lie. And GOD will never fail to uphold one of His promises.

GOD says that the heart is more deceitful than all else, and it is desperately sick. This literally means “incurable” or unable to be healed. Only GOD can heal our hearts from the sickness of deceit and sin. Trust in Him. Love Him. Obey Him. Follow Him, and you’ll receive the blessings like a tree that is planted by water.