JEREMIAH 17 THE OUTCOME OF TRUSTING MAN

July 10

JEREMIAH 17
5 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 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.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
10 “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.” – Jeremiah 17:5-10

JEREMIAH 17 THE OUTCOME OF TRUSTING MAN
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you rely on your own strength and understanding
You are actually defying God’s sovereignty and power
The outcome of reliance on oneself and others is very harmful
The Lord himself curses those who have put their trust in humans
They will experience drought in their lives and will be fruitless
Because man’s heart is deceitful, to trust their own heart is pointless.

It gives me goosebumps just hearing verse 5 in these following prophetic verses of Jeremiah. The Lord himself curses the man who trust another man and rely on their strength. God considers it a form of defiance against him. Why is that? Well, we know as Christians that God created all of humans to be in relationship with him. So, if we are only in relationship with ourselves and with others, we are neglecting the purpose of our make. We are not for ourselves. We belong to God and our purpose in life is to give all the glory to him. Because of sin, we want to give ourselves the glory instead of giving it to our Maker. What is a man saying when he trusts himself and others rather than God? He is insinuating that God isn’t first but only secondary to mankind. It is twisting the order of creation. God is our Maker and we are the creatures. He must come first than any other human being. John 3:30 says the proper order of creation when he says “He must increase, I must decrease.” In other words, putting our trust in the wrong order generates a curse from God himself. This exhibits rebellion and ingratitude to the One who gave us life.
Jeremiah spells out the outcome of trusting humans instead of God. They become deceived and fruitless. God commanded mankind in Genesis 1 to subdue the earth and be fruitful. That can only happen if we are in relationship with God and we revere him as the source of all things. We do not own anything since we are only creatures and not the Creator. We begin to think that we are higher than him which is the aftermath of the original sin. We are exhorted to put our trust only in God rather than man.

REFLECTION
• How do we manifest trusting man rather than God in our daily lives?

PSALM 55 CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD

July 9

PSALM 55

   He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah
    because they do not change and do not fear God.

20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.
21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart;
    his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you;
    he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction;
    men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

                                                                                        – Psalm 55:18-23

PSALM 55 CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are feeling down and stressed, do not feel hopeless

For the Lord your God will never abandon all the righteous

No matter how bad your predicament is, cast your cares on him

He will listen to all the pleas of those who love him and hate sin

Believe in his promises for protection and shield for all his people

You will realize that your burden will become light and bearable

Trust in him alone for he knows every detail of your lifecycle

He only allows things to happen to you that you can handle.

Humans tend to solve their problems on their own and don’t usually get help until they are so desperate. It is in the sinful nature of man to be proud and be independent, but God made us all for his own purpose. The reason for our existence is for us to be in relation to him, our Creator. He made us in his own image so that we can eventually reflect him in our lives. The fall of Adam and Eve changed all that original plan that God had for mankind. God gave us dominion to rule over the earth and subdue it. Adam and Eve were provided all they needed and enjoyed God’s presence regularly until the serpent came into the picture and changed the plan of God for mankind. The disobedience they committed changed the design that they were made for. They were made to walk with God and depend on him for everything, but the original sin totally changed their God-dependence to independence and self-indulgence.

In this psalm, the author reminds us to cast our burdens to God. When we run to God and trust him in all things, we are going against our sinful nature of isolation and independence. Like little children who are helpless and can’t do without the parent, God expects us to have that same dependency on him. It is his original purpose for humans, to be connected and dependent on him and not on ourselves.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think we stopped depending on God when we became adults?

PSALM 62 TRUST IN YOUR ROCK & YOUR SALVATION

July 8

PSALM 62

For God alone my soul waits in silence;   from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man   to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths   but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah – Psalm 62:1-8

PSALM 62 TRUST IN YOUR ROCK & YOUR SALVATION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you rely and trust in the Lord, you will be fortified

No victory awaits your enemy for they will be shaken

God alone will be your strength and your fortification

Trust in your God who is your rock and your salvation

If you trust in yourself and in other men, you’ll be doomed

But if you rely and depend on God, you will be assured.

In these following verses, David explicitly described his overwhelm from the attacks of his enemies. We can’t particularly identify who or what was historically going on at the time he wrote this psalm. Some scholars say that it was written when Saul was pursuing him and some sources say that it was Absalom, his own son who was plotting to overthrow him. This psalm starts with focus on the character of God which David described as his rock, his salvation and his fortress. This psalm sounds like a Shakespearean soliloquy where he speaks out his thoughts and beliefs. David is one of my favorite characters in the bible because he is so honest about his own feelings and fear. He doesn’t run away from what he perceives or sense, but faces all the things that are confronting him with much courage and faith in his Lord. There are varied emotions presented here such as fear, anxiety, depression but at the same time he also looks upon the Lord’s promises. When he focuses on God, the fear is replaced by assurance and knowledge that his God is bigger and mightier than any of his enemies.

As he laments over his predicament, he also rejoices knowing that God is on his side. In verse 8 David exhorts all those who are hearing this psalm about trusting God alone. His faith shines in this psalm which Paul reiterates in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 when he said that when he is weak, then he is strong. The only way we can be strong is if we run to our rock and our salvation in Jesus. On our own, we can never defeat our enemies or overcome our anxieties and fears. Trusting God who is bigger than us and who knows all things brings that strength in us.

REFLECTION

·       How is admitting your own weaknesses a form of praising and trusting the Lord?

PSALM 112 A FIRM HEART FROM TRUSTING GOD

July 7

PSALM 112

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

                                                                                        – Psalm 112:1-8

PSALM 112 A FIRM HEART FROM TRUSTING GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you have the fear of the Lord, you will delight in his laws

You love God and don’t look at his commandments as rules to follow

Because you love him, you have a desire to always please him

You allow the Spirit to transform your heart and begin to hate sin

As you trust in the Lord your God, you receive a heart that is firm

It doesn’t compromise and follow cultures; it sees sin for what it is

The righteous will not be moved; they triumph over the wicked

They don’t take part in evil, instead, they expose them.

A firm heart is not something a human being can manufacture.  It is the result of believing, loving and trusting the Lord. Those who do not know the Lord are easily tempted to sin because they have no loyalty and allegiance to God. They are unstable and changeable which is exactly the opposite of God’s character. They lack the discipline to follow through with what is hard and easily gives up when things are not comfortable and convenient. On the other hand, a true believer is stirred by the Holy Spirit to choose what is right and what is pleasing to God.

In this psalm, the anonymous author alludes to the benefit of trusting God. Those who rely and anchor their lives on God live in uprightness and constant fear of the Lord. This psalm is almost a reiteration of David’s Psalm 1 where he describes the differences between the blessed and the wicked. As Psalm 1 describes the righteous as delighted in the word of God, this psalm also says the same thing. But the author enumerates more benefits in this Psalm. He points out that the offsprings of the righteous and those who trust in God are poured out riches and prosperity. They see the light and do not stay in the old life which is covered in darkness. Most striking of these benefits is having a firm heart when we trust the Lord our God. Trusting God is one of the ways we can truly show our allegiance and love for our Maker. Without trust, our relationship with God won’t grow deep.

REFLECTION

  • Give examples how a firm heart is manifested in a believer’s life.

ISAIAH 26 TRUSTING GOD BRINGS PERFECT PEACE

July 6

ISAIAH 26

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.4 Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

5 For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city.

He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.

6 The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.”

7 The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.

8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you;

your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.  – Isaiah 26:3-8

ISAIAH 26 TRUSTING GOD BRINGS PERFECT PEACE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you stay faithful and continue to trust in the Lord

You will observe that your heart and mind turn calm

Since you no longer rely on yourself, anxiety leaves you

You begin to be humble and know that God is in control

Trusting God brings you perfect peace and endurance

It grows your faith and starves your bent on impatience.

Anxiety plagues our world today. There are many distractions and a lack of the knowledge of God in our world that leads to constant chaos and turmoil. In this information age, we begin to have an overload of things that are not truly important for us. We forget our purpose in life and it becomes meaningless. We pursue things that are all fleeting as the book of Ecclesiastes presents to us. Without the knowledge of God and the absence of purpose in our lives, we will always generate anxiety and worry. Where does all these unrest stem from? It usually comes from our sinful nature. By nature, we want to know things, understand it and have control over them. We rely on our own understanding which are so limited that we often fail to see many aspects of what is truly going on around us.

In these following verses in Isaiah, he emphasizes the benefit of trusting the Lord. Perfect peace is the aftermath of dependence on God. It is the opposite when we trust in ourselves or other humans. He shows us that God is an everlasting rock, a sure foundation. When we rely on the Lord, we begin to recognize his sovereignty which humbles us and keeps us focused on his majesty and greatness. Not only do we gain perfect peace, but we reap the knowledge that only comes from those who fear God. We get to deepen our faith and our hearts become softened and long for those that pleases God. It gives us a way of strengthening our weakness and discerning the evil plots that are constantly at work while we are in this world. If we don’t trust the Lord, we will have a hard time navigating this cruel and corrupt world. But if we come to God and trust our heavenly Father, he will provide for all that we need.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think we get more anxious and unstable when we rely on our own strength?

PSALM 118 A TRUSTWORTHY GOD

July 5

PSALM 118

4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
    the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
    What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes. – Psalm 118:4-9

PSALM 118 A TRUSTWORTHY GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Man is so fallen that he is not truly trustworthy

He can even deceive his own self; he’s not reliable

Because of sin, man puts himself first than others

Why would you then put your trust in your neighbor?

The only one you can absolutely rely on is God

He unconditionally loves you and cares for you

You’ll be let down if you put your trust in humans

Instead, depend on the One who won’t let you down.

According to some sources, Psalms 112-118 were considered Egyptian Hallels, a group of psalms sung during major Jewish festivals such as Passover. According to scholars, It is considered a royal and Messianic psalm. It features a processional entry to the Temple and highly triumphant language that has historically been linked to a Davidic king and the coming Messiah.

As David wrote this, we hear his rejoicing over how the Lord has delivered him from all the myriad enemies that constantly hunted him. But as king, this psalm could also refer to the Israelites, whom David ruled over. Since he was chosen by God to look after God’s own people, we hear how grateful he is to God and points to every deliverance God had given Israel. It praises God’s steadfast love to him and his people, who in the midst of all kinds of attack and adversities, made it through. David encourages God’s people never to trust humans, but to only trust in the Lord God, who is Almighty and their rock and salvation. Man is finite who can be very subjective, but God is infinite and sees all things. He knows our enemies and our predicament in all its aspects, but humans only see in part. David wants for all his people to rely only on the trustworthy God who made us all.

REFLECTION

  • Share insights how humans can never compare with God’s trustworthiness.

PSALM 56 TRUST GOD WHEN YOU’RE AFRAID

July 4

PSALM 56

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; 

I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

5 All day long they injure my cause;
    all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps,
    as they have waited for my life.7 For their crime will they escape?
    In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

8 You have kept count of my tossings;
    put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call.
    This I know, that God is for me. – Psalm 56:3-9

PSALM 56 TRUST GOD WHEN YOU’RE AFRAID

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

In the midst of danger, God’s people know where to turn

They don’t rely on their understanding but run to God instead

They are aware of the power of the One who made all things

They keep their eyes on Jesus, the source of all strength

Trust the Lord even if you are overwhelmed; He’ll always be there

He will never leave or forsake you; he is always after your welfare.

David had many enemies wanting his head. We hear in this psalm that he is overwhelmed with fear. What do you do when you get into this kind of dilemma? Most of us, if I am being honest, would probably be so distressed and frozen to do anything. Maybe, depression would set in when we focus on the reasons why we are being hunted. Interestingly, David was a faithful king, but Saul’s jealousy paved the way for his life of running and living in caves. What did David do in these distressing and fearful times? Instead of wallowing in fear and pity for himself, he stood on the promises of God. I love how honest David was to cry out to God and tell the Lord all the things he is going through. Instead of complaining and grumbling, he recalls that God is aware of every detail that is happening in his life. He focuses on how much God loves him and recalled how God would keep count of all his enemies and store all his tears in a bottle. What intimate knowledge of his God! Do we have that kind of relationship with our Lord? Do we honestly declare our difficulties and humbly lay it down to God?

In this psalm, David prays for all the fear that he is going through. Instead, he runs to God and continues to faithfully trust in Him. Like a child to his father, he goes to the person who would know how to deal with his enemies and who is capable of protecting him. He declares his dependence on God in the most fearful and adverse times of his life.

REFLECTION

·       Share a time when you were overwhelmed with fear and remembered to run to the Lord.

PSALM 40 BLESSED ARE THEY WHO TRUST THE LORD

July 3

PSALM 40

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,   making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who make   the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,  to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told. – Psalm 40:1-5

PSALM 40 BLESSED ARE THEY WHO TRUST THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you put your trust in the Lord, you’ll be blessed

He will secure every step you make and lead you to his ways

You will not be destroyed by your enemies for God is your shield

He will protect you and your family for as long as you live

He will multiply you and make you fruitful in all that you undertake

Because you trust his holy name, you will be victorious and triumphant.

In this psalm, David praises God for the many times his prayers were heard. He was delivered from his enemies and those who want to pursue him when he pleaded God to do so.  He exalts God for listening to his pleas and gave us a picture of a God who clearly cares for every detail that happens in each of his people’s lives. In verse 2, David paints a picture of a rescuing God, almost prophetically referring to God’s mercy and plan salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood when he died on the cross for all humankind. The pit of destruction is symbolic of the enemy’s ploys and the miry bog represents our sinful nature which is filthy and muddy.

In verse 3, he declares another promise of God where there will be rejoicing and a new song given to those who trust in him first and the plan of God to fulfill his promise over his name being praised and glorified by multitudes of people. This prophecy of David was also reiterated by Isaiah in chapter 45:23 when God declared that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. David describes the man who trusts the Lord just as he differentiates in Psalm 1 the wicked and the righteous. He illustrates the God-reliant people as those who live honestly and do not compromise their relationship with their Lord. They do not mingle with the ungodly and the sinners. They discern lies when it comes because they know their God and his word. They know right away if it goes against God’s laws and truth. They walk in righteousness and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead.

REFLECTION

  • Share some blessings you have received because you trusted in the Lord.

PSALM 9 TRUST IN GOD ALONE

July 2

PSALM 9

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!
    Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
    he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O Lord!
    See my affliction from those who hate me,
    O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may recount all your praises,
    that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
    I may rejoice in your salvation. – Psalm 9:9-14

PSALM 9 TRUST IN GOD ALONE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you trust in God alone, you will not be abandoned

He is a fortress for all those who have been forgotten

Put your trust in God and not in any idol or human being

He is the Lord Almighty who is gracious, loving and amazing

His love for you is unconditional and never-ending

Trust in God alone for if you do, you will be contended.

We can easily trust ourselves but to trust in God can pose many challenges to many people, especially those who do not know God. Some people trust in their wealth, knowledge, power and many other idols which do not last or truly give us a guarantee or assurance in life. Many unbelievers do not have a clue as to their purposes in life. We become so accustomed to the world’s system of believing in the “self” instead of a higher power who knows more than ourselves. We all live our lives assuming that we know a lot of things when in reality we often struggle with trying to make sense of many things. By nature, we are so arrogant and rely on our own skills and understanding which sometimes cancel other people’s opinions or expertise. Then we become disillusioned if these idols we trust do not live up to our expectations.

In this psalm, the writer wants us to trust in God alone because he is a stronghold. A stronghold is a fortress that shields us from enemies and attackers. If we trust in God alone, we will be assured of total safety and protection, but if we trust in something else, we won’t have that guarantee since no one loves us more than our Maker.

REFLECTION

  • What do most people trust in our world today and why do you think they rely on them?

PROVERBS 3 WHEN YOU TRUST THE LORD YOUR GOD

July 1

PROVERBS 3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

                                                                                        – Proverbs 3:5-12

PROVERBS 3 WHEN YOU TRUST THE LORD YOUR GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you trust the Lord your God, you are glorifying him

It means that you do not lean on your own understanding

When you lean on your Lord and Savior, you’ll have an overflow

Your life will be materially rich and you will also spiritually grow

Depending on the Lord for everything brings much wisdom and healing

It makes you constantly humble and will stop you from rebelling and sinning.

Trust is a very crucial ingredient in any relationship. Where there is no love, trust won’t thrive. Your gauge to a good relationship is the presence of trust between the people in the relationship. Trust is the building block of love while mistrust is the breeding ground for fear and sin. If you investigate a failed marriage or relationship, you’ll find that the culprit of the breakdown is a lack of trust in one or in both parties involved in the relationship. Some marriages may last without trust if they are in a codependent relationship where one person is in control and manipulating the marriage to work while the other person does not care at all. This kind of relationship is not based on love but on a transactional basis, where one or both will compromise their belief system or stay in the relationship just for the convenience of it. This is a sad fate because this is a contract not a covenant marriage. They are actually unloving because they are not looking at the other’s welfare but ensuring that they get their needs met.                                      

Solomon gives us wisdom in these following verses regarding the benefits of trusting God.  He points out the importance of trusting God with all our hearts. It means that we cannot trust our own judgements or understanding of something. Instead, we run to the Lord for counsel. He is the only one who knows all things and can see all situations from an objective perspective. We tend to be biased and subjective on situations because we don’t see the big picture. He reminds us that if we trust him with all our hearts, we will stay calm even in the midst of adversities and trials. We also are showered with favors when we seek God’s counsel and go with what he tells us to do.

REFLECTION

·       How does trusting God protect us from pride and arrogance?