We really have only two options: Trust God or trust something else
By Dean Collins
David and Jeremiah agree when it comes to where we are to place our trust. Their understanding of God presents two options: Trust in man or trust in God. Research suggests we do better at making decisions when we have fewer options. Yet our tendency is to want many options without realizing how they can lead to confusion and delay our decision.
Deceitful heart
I suspect our biggest problem concerning where to put our trust is found in verse 9 in Jeremiah 17: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” We often have trouble believing that left to ourselves, we really do have an unreliable source. How easy it is to deceive self, and of course, self-deception is impossible to see.
Drought regardless
Notice in the Jeremiah passage that we will experience drought regardless of whether we choose to trust God or trust man. The difference is that when we trust God we do not have to be anxious in seasons of drought because God will not only remain with us, he will also allow fruit to be produced in our lives even in the wilderness of drought.
When we trust in man to make us strong our tendency is to turn our hearts and minds away from God’s truth. The result is that when drought comes, the heat of the wilderness makes us weak and unproductive. The results we can produce apart from God pale in comparison to what God can do when we place our trust in him.
Enduring fruit
In John 15, Jesus confirms what Jeremiah and David expressed in their writings. When we put our trust in Jesus and abide in him, he produces fruit in our lives and through our lives that endures even into eternity. Jesus added that when we abide in him, we can confidently pray for what we need.
Alignment with Jesus will always be more productive than alignment with the world. The world may offer short-term results, but placing our lives in God’s hands brings eternal benefits.
Lord, today we choose to trust in you. We acknowledge our tendency to depend on the wisdom of others over wisdom from above. Forgive us. Thank you for your promise that when we are faced with difficulties, even drought, we can depend on you to use us to produce fruit. Lord, we want the results that you want and not what we can produce by ourselves. Thank you for your promise that you will never forget us and our needs. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-6; John 15:7-11, 16 ESV
Photo by Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
