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7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
-Jeremiah 17:7-
Where do you put your trust? Do you put all your trust in your family? Your boss? Your government? Your friends? Dare I ask, yourself? Many years ago, before we had kids, Missy and I had an outdoor swing and have missed it ever since. I have been eyeballing a swing like that for many years. I don’t know why, but I like the soothing back-and-forth swinging motion. Maybe it’s the kid in me, perhaps it’s the movement, maybe it’s just plain relaxing.
A local retailer has an outdoor swing for sale every summer, and not a summer has passed when I don’t sit in that outdoor swing. On nearly every shopping trip, I walk into that store, sit in the swing, and relax. Last week, that swing went on sale, and I purchased it for our back patio.
With great anticipation and great apprehension from my family, I opened the massive box containing the long-awaited patio swing. To my horror, I picked up the instruction book and removed the plethora of parts. I couldn’t believe it, how can a swing have so many different pieces? I knew right then it was going to be a long day. Finally after many hours, through endless frustration, and endless sweat the swing was done! It was time to sit and relax, and of course, swing.
I went inside and filled a glass with ice cubes, cold water, and half of a lemon. I walked outside and sat on that big beautiful swing. Sipping my citrus water I let out a great sigh of relief and self-satisfaction. I fell into my newly constructed contraption and rocked back and forth with my feet swinging in the air. I leaned back, and looked up at the blue sky. It was then, at that moment when something caught my attention…I looked up at the frame and glanced at the springs and the bolts and the nuts holding everything together. Suddenly, my relaxation turned to hesitation. Is this really going to hold me? Did I put it together right? Did the product engineer design it properly? Are the products built to hold or are they just trying to squeeze out the most profit? What would happen if it broke and I fell to the floor? Would I land on my back or crash on my tailbone? What if the frame collapses and crushes my skull?!
Sitting in that swing, I put all my trust and confidence in people, products, and even myself. Why did fear enter my heart? Simple, because I don’t fully trust any of the above. I have had people, products, and even myself let me down in one way or another throughout my life.
This Sunday, we explore the question, “Where do you put your trust?”
Speaking through His prophet Jeremiah, the LORD makes it very clear where your trust should fall.
5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 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.”
-Jeremiah 17:5-8
As we receive blessings from God we are to remember they come from God’s grace and incredible provision. Thankfully our LORD never ever fails us, and He is trustworthy forever. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD!
See you Sunday, I can't wait!
Pastor Austin
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