Ever-green Trusting Trees

In the book of Jeremiah, God expresses Himself with some very strong language about our trust in Him, or lack thereof. He even uses the word “cursed” about whomever would turn away from Him and trust instead in other sources (17:5). On the other hand, His description of believers whose life flows out of trust in Him is dramatically beautiful:

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jer. 17:8).

Hmm. “No worries in a year of drought.” You know, it could be said that some parts of our world are in a time of drought right now, spiritually speaking. Spiritually, they are dry. They are withered. They are severely lacking vitality. What are your observations? How are things where you live? Are people flourishing in their relationships with God? How about on the national level?

No matter what is going on in the world around us, according to this Scripture, you and I can thrive. We can live with “no worries” and no fear of environmental conditions. How is this possible? Trust in Jesus connects us right into the life source. It’s like being a tree planted right next to a supply of water that runs unfailingly through every kind of season. Even if the land is in a spiritual draught, you and I don’t have to be. Holy Spirit living waters are available to nourish us continually.

I find it fascinating that this chapter of Jeremiah ends with this authoritative pronouncement: “But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load… then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses” (v. 27). Wow! God was serious about expecting His people to rest once a week.

How, though, does this tie into the previous poetic verses about trees flourishing by inexhaustible water sources? There is indeed a direct correlation. This chapter is all about trust. Choosing to rest is choosing to trust. When you choose to take a day off each week for replenishing, you are making a statement to God with your actions. You are saying to Him, “I trust You to take care of my financial needs, my family, my responsibilities, my entire world, while I cease from work today.”

It would behoove us to ask ourselves, Do I trust Him that way? While we’re at it, let’s take notice of the wording in verse 27, “by not carrying any load.” On our day of rest, we are not to carry any loads at all. No physical loads, and especially no emotional or spiritual loads. We are to cast them all on Jesus. He cares for us.

I don’t mean that we are under the law on this matter of sabbaths. We are instead gloriously under grace! We are under grace that wonderfully empowers us in our obedience to God. Do you realize that a choice to habitually build healthy amounts of rest into our lifestyles is an issue of obedience? Jesus has asked us to make this trust-choice to rest. Saying yes to this instruction is submission to His lordship. It is worship.

So, to finish this up, let’s get back to that beautiful imagery. A tree, planted right next to the water. All-year-long replenishing, nourishing, flourishing. Sounds quite inviting to me. You know, a continuous connection to Holy Spirit living waters that never run dry is a pretty good deal… well worth our full surrender!

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God…” (Heb. 4:9, NIV).

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How would you describe the connection between trust in God, and a restful heart? How do we cultivate both?