In God We Trust

5 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans (flesh), who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 6 They are like stunted shrubs (bushes) in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren (hot and dry) wilderness, in an uninhabited salty (bad) land. 7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence (see also Psalm 40:4). 8 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 (see also Psalm 1:3). 9 The human heart (mind) is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives (mind). I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:5-10 (NLT).

The prophet Jeremiah is listed among the major prophets of the Old Testament and he ministered primarily to the southern kingdom of Israel (Judah). Judah had turned their hearts away from wholeheartedly following the one true God and continued to sin. God called the prophet Jeremiah to warn Judah of their sins before the coming destruction.

Jeremiah proclaimed that the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and "Judah's sin is engraved . . . on the tablets of their hearts" (Jeremiah 17:1) In the Holy Scriptures, the heart was the organ of reason, feeling, action, intelligence, and will where sin lives. The heart embraces our innermost being and the center of life. Unfortunately, our hearts are prone and bent toward sin, selfishness, and sickness from the time we are born. The human heart has a deep bent or inclination to sin that only God can repair and redeem. As humans, we cannot change our hearts through self-reform, self-will, or human efforts. Only God as the Great Physician can diagnose our heart problems and bring the necessary healing. As the Great Physician, God can repair our sinful hearts and place His Word on our hearts as we seek, love, and trust wholeheartedly in Him (Jeremiah 31:31–34). As we seek and trust God, God’s Holy Spirit transforms and strengthens our hearts and brings life, discernment, and healing to our whole bodies (1 Kings 3:9; Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5). Unfortunately, those who do not trust in God continue in their deceit and wickedness and have neither salvation nor security. On the other hand, those who trust in God are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) and the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).

Moreover, the Holy Scriptures teaches us to continually protect and safeguard our hearts from sin and wickedness (Proverbs 4:23). We can protect our heart by setting boundaries on our outward actions and inward desires. To set these boundaries, we must continually seek God and bring glory to Him in every life situation (Colossians 3:17). A good rule of thumb to remember: will this action or desire bring glory to God?

People who totally trust in God are fruitful and lively, despite any outward crisis and difficulties. Those who trust in God flourishes like trees planted by water (see Psalm 1) with abundant strength, not only for their own needs, but even for the needs of others (Isaiah 40:29-31). In contrast, those who do not trust in God are infertile, weak, and unfruitful. In times of misfortune and suffering, such people are often damaged, broken and spiritually weak (see also Jeremiah 13:1-11).

God can turn us away from sin and evil as we turn our hearts to trust completely in Him. God is ready and willing to clean and repair our hearts and give us a new heart if we seek and trust Him (Psalm 51; Amos 5:5-6). As we continually seek God, God send His Holy Spirit to help us resist sin, evil, and temptations. Self-help, money, and riches will never solve the sin and evil problems of our hearts. Only our committed trust in God will bring God's blessing or lasting happiness, despite any outward struggle or crises.

We must all repent and turn our whole hearts to God in love, commitment, and faithfulness (see Psalm 78:8; Isaiah 1:16-20; Hosea 6:1-3; Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7). Repentance means to turn from sin, evil, and self-centeredness and turn to following and loving God and our neighbors (see also Jeremiah 18:1-17; Matthew 22:34-10). God’s blessings and restoration flows to those who confess and repent of their sins and honor God by seeking what is right (Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 18:7-11; see also Psalm 51). Most important, seeking God brings true life (Psalm 1:3). The Holy Scriptures are clear that God blesses those who trust and obey Him and seek His will (Proverbs 3:1-12).

Today, our world applauds self-importance, wealth, assertiveness, possessions, and independence (Jeremiah 18:12). However, God applauds a humble heart committed to trusting, obeying and loving Him and loving our neighbors (see Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 11:4; Matthew 22:34-40). God does not convict human resources but He does want everyone to seek His will and way first and foremost in every life situation and circumstance (Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 6:33). So, let everyone seek and trust in God!

3 Never let loyalty (faithfulness, truth) and kindness (love) leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will (acknowledge God) in all you do, and He will show you which path to take (direct your path). 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:3-8 (NLT).

References:
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.