Devotion – Like a Tree

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought & never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 7:7-8)

I love to photograph trees, the variety, the shape, even the twisted trunks of dead trees – they all appeal to me.

These verses in Jeremiah paint a picture of hope. In the midst of all the criticism the Lord is having Jeremiah pass on to the people who have gone astray, he reminds them that if they will only turn back to the Lord & trust in Him, they will be blessed.

The tallest trees have some of the longest roots. In order to balance the height of the tree, they need a firm base to withst& the wind, or storms. The trees described here are alongside a water source so it is well watered. A well-watered tree, is green & healthy & will bear fruit or sometimes flowers, that go on to support birds, animals, insects, or provide us with food.

If I think of myself as being like a tree – as it says in Jeremiah – I need to be nourished in order to live, I need to be in right relationship with the Lord. I need to be mindful of the foundations of my faith, that like the roots will keep me strong in the trying times. I need that living water that Christ promised to us. It also says that I need not worry – something I spend too much time doing – rather h& over those worries to God.

Living with chronic illness, it may seem hard to see ourselves as “always green” – I know I often feel dry & shriveled up. I know I look at my circumstances & know that without my faith, I couldn’t make it through each day of pain. I wonder though if these verses today remind me that even when I may feel dried up & useless because of my circumstances, it is saying that God sees me as a green tree & He can still use me to bear fruit for Him.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, travel & photography.