‘Blessed is the one who looks on the Lord ……. They will be like a tree planted by water.’ Jeremiah 17:7-8
Like so much of my country at the moment we are experiencing a drought, the country is crying out for rain. My small plants and flowers have died, the birds are continually drinking from my bird bath. The tree in my neighbour’s garden is flourishing. It’s leaves are green and healthy, there is no fear of it dying. This is because the roots go down deep to the underground water level.
‘It does not fear when the heat comes, its leaves are always green.’ verse 8. Again this is as result of the deep roots, it receives continued moisture. ‘It has no worries in the year of the drought and never fails to bear fruit.’ again verse 8.
Our souls are like the thirsty trees and plants. We need the refreshment of God’s love. The world will only bleed us dry, it will not give to us at all. Our sin will strip us of spiritual refreshment. The Bible is one of our forms of spiritual food and our source of strength. It contains words of encouragement, correction and love. In reading through the book of Psalms nearly every psalm sets us up for the day ‘My soul faints with longing for Your salvation but I have put my hope in Your word.’ Psalm 119:8