Bible in One Year
Thursday, September  24, 2009
(2 Tim 1 - 2 Tim 4)

Memorise: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is" (Jer 17:7)


Read: Proverbs 3:5-7

The one who trusts in God is compared to a tree planted by the river side (Jer 17:8). All kinds of trees exists today. There are decorative trees, synthetic trees, trees planted in the desert, trees in local dwelling places and trees beside the rivers. Proximity to water secures a tree of continuous sustenance. The tree beside the waters can access regular supply of needed water and minerals and as a result will live longer and be more fruitful than the tree in any other location. This means your faith and trust in God not only guarantees your protection but also your satisfaction (John 4:14). The more you trust in God, the less you focus on men. Trusting in God is in varying degrees. Your faith in God can be shared 50:50 with trust in man. The extent to which you trust in God will determine the position you will be placed - whether in the desert, local dwelling community or beside the river. When God is talking about trusting Him, He means 100%. In doing this, all your eggs must be in God's singular basket. There will be no option for you. It is either He helps you or you sink. If you look at the heroes of faith, they completely trusted God without reserving any percentage for unseen alternatives. Many of us find it difficult to score 100% in our faith in God because we habitually device alternatives: 'Should God fail, let me not lose completely'. 'Should I fail to have a child by my wife, let me not lose out totally, so let me keep a mistress by the side and have children by her'. But with God, it is either you are trusting Him 100% or you are not trusting Him at all. 


Isaiah 55:1-2 talks about the satisfaction that comes from things that money cannot buy. One great virtue of the blessed is contentment. There are billionaires who are not satisfied with their wealth. Everything about such people is plastic. They have happiness but no joy. When planted by the rivers of water, you will not only have water to drink, but also water to bath. Ephesians 5:25-26 tells you how God washes you clean with water. In addition, the tree by the river has its roots spread out. This means trusting God is one way to be established. No wonder the Psalmist said his heart was fixed on the Lord. When your heart is fixed on God, He will make sure nothing moves you from where He has placed you. If you want to excel and do all God wants you to do this year, trust God completely. 

Action Point: Those who dare to trust God to a point of foolishness ultimately end up as winners.