Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
8 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.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV

In contrast with the person who trusts in flesh in verses 5-6 and who is a shrub who dwells in the dry uninhabitable places; the person who trusts in the Lord is pictured as being a tree with deep roots planted by the river. When the heat of oppression and tribulation comes this person will not fear, because they trust in the Lord. They will continue to bear fruit, even in the periods of drought when the rains cease. Their leaf remains green because they have a continuous source of life giving moisture. The contrast between those who trust in flesh as opposed to those who trust in the Lord cannot be be more stark. Death opposed to life. A dry empty life as opposed to a sparkling joyous life. Dry twigs opposed to luscious fruit.

Lord,
Help me today to trust in You. Help me to ignore the temptation to trust in myself or some other human for my hope and happiness. Let me put my roots into the ground by the river so I can always tap into the life giving waters that will help me to bear fruit even in times of drought.