This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. . . . But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

Devotion based on Jeremiah 17:5,7

In the modern world that we live in, influenced by so much wisdom, supported by sophisticated technology, and pampered by a great amount of materialism, people can be deceived into thinking that they can live without God and his help.

However, those who put their trust in human power and turn away from God deprive themselves of the rich blessings that he intends for people to have. Without God, there is confusion about the true purpose and ultimate direction for life. In the end, having separated themselves from God, finally, God eternally separates himself from them. Cursed indeed!

However, for those people who place their confidence in the Lord, there are wonderful blessings. “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

God is speaking to everyday people who operate businesses and anxiously watch the bottom line, who go to work faithfully and collect their paychecks, who attend school regularly and try to make the grade. There isn’t a lot of difference outwardly between those who are blessed and those who are cursed. The real difference is in the heart.

The cursed trust mainly in their business acumen to succeed; the blessed recognize that it is the Lord who blesses with profits.

The cursed trust their paychecks to provide; the blessed give thanks to God for his provision.

The cursed endeavor with their wisdom to succeed in school and a competitive world; the blessed praise God for the gifts they have and use them to the best of their ability for the glory of God and the good of others.

It is often said, “You can do anything if you try hard enough.” The truth is that the ability to accomplish things is not ultimately dependent on human strength. To put our trust in the Lord opens our eyes to his countless blessings.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.