.png)
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Message No. 0589 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca
When I graduated from the University and was looking for a job, I looked up to different people for assistance. I got notes from those who knew people and those people in turn gave me notes to other people they knew. I was privileged to enter the offices of some directors, including the office of a CEO. I was taken to the house of the same CEO and got to see him when he was not so busy and I had high hopes that a job was in the offing, but nothing came. When God would do His job, it was the place where I did not have so much hope that a letter of employment came from, and the rest was history.
In Jeremiah 17, verses 5-8, the Bible says:
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 shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall 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 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 will cease from yielding fruit.
As seen in this scripture, man trusting in man is a sharply condemned practice, the Bible says that those who do this are cursed. Among the many reasons why this is not a good practice, I took particular note of the line saying that those who make men their strength “shall not see when good comes.” This is a very dangerous place to be, and it’s because the eyes are so fixated on the wrong source that when the right opportunity comes, they will not see it.
Some people have experienced very damaging disappointments because they were so sure that help would come from a particular source, but it didn’t. Some trusted in uncles and some in aunties and others in pastors, but help did not come. The more trusting you are, the more disappointed you would be when that source fails. In Genesis chapter 40, Joseph trusted strongly in the king’s cupbearer to mention him before the king. He thought, God has used me to interpret his dream and since he will be restored to serve Pharaoh directly, there is no more powerful person that could help him get out of prison, than this cupbearer. In verses 14 and 15, Joseph told the cupbearer:
But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Who can blame Joseph? I would do the same if I were in the same situation. Unfortunately, man is so unreliable that even the cupbearer forgot about Joseph as soon as got back his powerful position in the king’s palace. His colleague in crime, the baker, was killed by Pharaoh as interpreted by Joseph, but even this was not enough for the cupbearer to remember Joseph. However, when God would come into Joseph’s matter, he was catapulted to Prime Minister, a role that was higher than anyone else in Egypt except the king, so the cupbearer on whom he was looking for help would now have to bow down to him.
In verse 7 of Jeremiah 17, the Bible says “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in the Lord.” If you have been putting your trust in man, all is not lost, many of us did at some point in our lifetime. In Psalm 121 verses 1-3, the Bible says:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber;
In 2022, God is saying to look unto Him for help. He is the only source that cannot fail. As you are starting this year, begin by telling God that you surrender your life completely to Him and will look up to Him for help and guidance. You are sure to be on the right path always, because God does not sleep and He does not forget those who rely on Him. I pray that at the end of this year, you will look back, praising God with plenty of testimonies of ways He has led and guided you throughout the year. Have a blessed and fruitful year!
To leave a comment for this message, add new subscribers or share through social media, please follow these steps:
1. To leave a comment, please use the comments box below.
2. To add new readers, please use the Subscribe Form below or click on the Subscribe menu and enter your email address.
3. To share through social media, please use one of the relevant icons below.
PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
Comments