"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 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." Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)

We walked into the doctor's office fully expecting good news.

We walked out carrying a slew of pamphlets and news that we didn't see coming.

Cancer is a place we've been through before as a couple. Except back then it was me, and now it's him.

In the hours after his diagnosis, we attended a sweet birthday celebration for a grandchild. We danced under the stars at a family wedding. When the busy weekend finally passed, I sat in the living room with my Bible in front of me. Sun streamed in through windows as I grieved.

Lord, I don't want to do this again.

I glanced at my open Bible and read the Scripture verse in Jeremiah I'd committed to memory the week before:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 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."

As I memorized it, I had pictured a tall tree, its leafy branches hovering over the water, roots reaching for nourishment. The tree was laden with fruit, though everything else around it was burned and dry.

Now I sensed the heat coming our way. Hard decisions. Financial burdens. Emotional uncertainty.

With tears, I whispered the beautiful words over and over until they soaked into my heart: Blessed is the {woman} who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

Maybe you are in a hard place today. Perhaps it's a place you've encountered before, and it's the last place you wanted to be. I pray that Jeremiah's words bring guidance to you, as they do to me.

First, Jeremiah reveals that we can be honest about how we feel.

Sometimes, in that hard place, we don't give space to the feelings trapped in our hearts. We somehow believe that acknowledging our emotions is a lack of faith.

Jeremiah doesn't paint a pretty picture with his words about what is taking place. Instead, he describes intense heat that withers everything around the tree. But He also points to a God who is close by. Our God knows what we are going through. He's our safe place.

While we are being strong for others, He will be strong for you and me.

Second, we can run to the life-giving Source.

Hard places require wise choices. Hard places can make you feel empty. Yet there is a promise of refreshing that runs so deep that we are strengthened and nourished in spite of what is taking place.

Last, let's settle into this promise found in today's key verse: When we remain close to God in the hard places, there's fruit.

Because I've walked this path before, I know it to be true.

Fruit might come through joy that makes no sense in relation to circumstances.

Fruit can spring forth in laughter that erupts where darkness wants to take hold.

Fruit is the very real promise of eternity.

Fruit is planted inside of us as we hold tightly to a faith that is bigger than we are.

I'm still rocked by the news, and I still don't want to be in this hard place, but I know what to do. I'm pushing my roots deep in my faith. I'm scooting closer to my God in the midst of drought. I'm even anticipating the fruit that will drop from our lives as a result.

Today, let's whisper it together. Let's hold close to it in the hard place: Blessed is the {woman} who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

Dear Jesus, today I intentionally walk to the water and I dip my roots in deep to find all that I need in this hard place. Thank You for being my Source. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)

Psalm 118:14a, "The LORD is my strength and my song." (ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

This month, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Do You Know Him?

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REFLECT AND RESPOND:

Matthew 11:28-29 offers rest when we feel overwhelmed. Isaiah 40:29-31 promises renewed strength. Romans 8:37-39 assures us that He keeps us company in hard places.

Read these verses and underline the words that describe what you need from God today.

© 2014 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.