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Day 351 (Jeremiah 17:5-11) Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he will be like a shrub in the desert and will not see when good comes but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he will 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 will it cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.” Many people trust only in themselves and their abilities. Their motto is, ‘If it needs to be done right, do it myself.’ They reject help from everyone. Their lives are empty and dry. They live hand to mouth, saving nothing. Their words are bitter. Wickedness flows easily off the tongue. They have plans about how to make their fortune, but nothing comes of their plans. They eke out a living without hope. He lives a cursed life. Contrast that person with one who puts their trust in God. His life is blessed, and everything he does prospers. God told Jeremiah He searched the heart, tested the mind, and gave them the fruit of their ways. Even among Christians, you find people who trust only in what they can do. They say they are working for the Lord, but they are working for their own glory. Their words are empty, and their lives are full of trouble. They said yes to God and His salvation, but live life on their terms. Fully committed Christians know God’s blessing in their lives. When trouble comes their way, they seek God and trust Him to take care of them in the storms of their lives. You know a committed Christian by the fruit in their lives and the joy they display in the words they speak, and the genuine love they show everyone. Their hope is rooted in God and everything they do prospers. What type of Christian are you? Commit yourself to God today, trust Him, and He will bless you. Let’s pray: Father, I don’t want to be a foolish Christian who says one thing and does another, seeking only my good and not the good of others. I want Your blessing to flow in my life as I seek You with my whole heart and trust You to lead me through this life. Help me not to be a shallow Christian, but a fully committed Christian who seeks You first in everything. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 29 June 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay