Those who put their trust in people and rely on human strength, turning their hearts away from God, are cursed. They are described as stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. The land in which these people live will become a barren wilderness in an uninhabited salty land.
"This is what the Lord says:
'Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.'"
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NLT)
But those who put their trust in God, having made the Lord their hope and confidence, are blessed. They are pictured as trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. These trees are not even bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves continue to stay green and the trees never stop producing fruit.
"'But blessed are those who trust in the lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.'"
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
If a nation continues to put its trust in man's abilities, turning away from God and His commandments, then God says that there will be no growth or success in the land. However, God also promises us that if we do not worry and continue to put our trust in Him, we will continue to grow in His care and light, producing good works for Him, even if starvation and thirst prevail in the land.
Do not fear, but trust God!
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