“DOES NOT FEAR WHEN HEAT COMES!”

 Jeremiah 17:7-8                                  (ESV)

“7 "Blessed is THE MAN WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD, whose TRUST IS THE LORD. 

8 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."”

A friend from many years ago was visiting with me recently and commented that in his opinion I had always been a strong Christian, a man whose TRUST IS IN THE LORD.  Of course I explained to him that his eyesight might be skewed because when I think of my testimony, I think of the Apostle Paul writing in 1 Timothy 1:15, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost”!  

What others “think” of us should not be taken too seriously, whether it is good or bad.  It is what ALMIGHTY GOD “knows” about us that should cause us concern!  HE is a loving, caring FATHER WHO grows us using trials, disappointments and hardships to mature us into vessels that GLORIFY HIS NAME. When we stand before HIM to receive the reward for our lives, our money, fame, reputation among men will matter little, if at all!  Having HIS SPIRIT be reflected in my life is what I desire from my being.  

My prayer is that I am becoming more like the man that “DOES NOT FEAR WHEN HEAT COMES”, who has a TESTIMONY that THE LORD even orchestrates what we might believe are calamities for HIS GLORY!  Isaiah 45:7 tells us that “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I AM THE LORD, WHO does all these things”.  How many times do I see a storm cloud headed in my direction and start running from it, trying to avoid the difficult times in my future?  

Realizing that I am “being groomed” by The CREATOR to be in HIS likeness is humbling, but ultimately is our purpose in its entirety!  GOD doesn’t need or want me to do anything for HIM.  However HE is GLORIFIED when HIS CHOSEN “DOES NOT FEAR WHEN HEAT COMES”!!!