Pastor Dave Mann
Jan 12 min
by Pr. Dave Mann
The similarities between Jeremiah 17:5-8 and Psalm 1 are striking. I encourage you to look at both passages side by side. Jeremiah 17:7 and Psalm 1:1-2 describe how blessed are those who trust in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:8 and Psalm 1:3 draw the comparison to a tree planted by a stream of water which allows it to flourish and bear fruit even in times of drought.
Jeremiah 17:5-6 and Psalm 1:4-6 look on the other side of the issue. They describe the broken lives of those who trust in mere human strength.
In addition, we might also compare a few verses in the first and last books of the Bible, where we find the descriptions of the Tree of Life planted by rivers in the Garden of Eden and in the new heaven and earth.
Genesis 2:9-10
The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden...
Rev. 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
The strength of these trees is not in and of themselves, but their strength is established by their proximity to the stream of water. It is the river that gives life to them.
Jesus announces this truth in John 7:37-39.
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.
The message is clear. As we conduct our lives close to the work of the Holy Spirit – the Bible, the sacraments, worship with other believers, sharing our lives in small groups, etc. – we will experience the blessings that God intends for us.
Heavenly Father, I pray that in this new year, you would allow me to be planted near the work of the Holy Spirit. Guide me to draw nourishment from your Word, your sacraments, and your people. Allow me to produce fruit that will bless others in turn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.