Key scripture – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

As you read this scripture, think about what author Suzie Eller said, “picture a tall tree, its leafy branches are thick and hovering over the water, it’s roots are deep and have plenty of nourishment, the water is still and you can see the reflection of the tree in the water. The tree of the blessed man is heavy with fruit, though everything else around it is burned, dry and dusty, with leaves that are brown, not green, and they break into small pieces when you squeeze the leaves from the dead trees in your hand.”

When you sense the heat coming your way as a result of financial burdens, emotional uncertainty, family problems, and everything else that makes you fearful, you need to stop and whisper these beautiful words over and over until they soak into your heart: “Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”

Maybe you are in a hard place today. Perhaps it’s a place you’ve encountered before, and it’s the last place you wanted to be. I pray that Jeremiah’s words in today’s Key scripture bring guidance to you, as they do to me.

First, Jeremiah reveals that we can be honest with God about how we feel. Sometimes, in that hard place, we don’t give space to the feelings trapped in our hearts. We somehow believe that acknowledging our emotions is a lack of faith.Jeremiah doesn’t paint a pretty picture with his words about what is taking place. Instead, he describes intense heat that withers everything around the tree. But He also points to a God who is close by. Our God knows what we are going through. He’s our safe place. He will be strong for you and me and He will never forsake or abandon us.

Second, we can run to the life-giving Source. Hard places require wise choices. God will give you wisdom. Hard places can make you feel empty. Yet there is a promise of refreshing that runs so deep that we are strengthened and nourished in spite of what is taking place.

Lastly, let’s settle into this promise: When we remain close to God in the hard places, there’s fruit. Fruit might come through a peace and joy that makes no sense in relation to our circumstances. Fruit can spring forth in laughter that erupts where darkness wants to take hold. Fruit shows up in unexpected blessings. Fruit is the very real promise of eternity. Fruit is planted inside of us as we hold tightly to a faith that is bigger than we are.

So when you are rocked by bad news, even though you don’t want to be in the hard place, you know what to do. Push your roots deep in your faith and scoot over closer to God in the midst of the drought as He covers you with the shadow of His wings, and wait with excited anticipation for the fruit that will drop from your life as a result of all of this.

Today, let’s whisper it together and let’s hold close to it in the hard place: “Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, today I intentionally walk to the living water and I dip my roots in deep to find all that I need while I am in this hard place. Thank You for being my Source. Help me to remember that You are my Refuge, my Strength, my Peace, my Strong Hightower, my Song and an ever present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 and 118:14). I am like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. I am blessed because I do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but I delight in the law of the Lord, and on His law I meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1-3). Thank You for the beautiful fruit that comes out of hard places. Give me the grace to have an attitude of gratitude. I will not give up, no matter how long I am in this hard place, because I trust You. “Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.