"7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
"8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7-8)
Let us use some uncommon common sense, for once.
God is LORD, He who was, who is, and always will be.
Jesus Christ is this certainty made flesh for us:
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13: 8)
He is this certainty for us forever:
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Malachi 3: 6)
One aspect of Him which is always enduring is His mercy:
"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 106: 1)
This refrain is often repeated throughout the Old Testament, a refrain which is affirmed forever in Christ Jesus, our high priest forever according the order of Melchizedek:
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
The LORD is bigger than anything we can imagine. He is greater than any problem, any person, anything, including ourselves. With the promise of everlasting righteousness fulfilled for us in Christ (Daniel 9: 24; 2 Corinthians 5: 21)
When you understand the fulness of God in Christ, you cannot begin to think of a God who may or may not move in your life, you see Him as greater than anything and everything, even your hurts, your feelings. Not once do you have to think or feel a certain way in order for Him to move in your life. When Jeremiah prophesied that He is our hope, this statement was not a statement of what He would be, but what He is, and this fulness is realized forever for us in Christ
Peter quoted David on the Day of Pentecost:
"25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." (Acts 2: 25-28)
Paul described this hope that we have today, in Christ, who lives in every believer:
""To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)
Peter also centers our hope one Person: Jesus:
"Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1: 21)
When you trust in the Lord, when you trust in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ, God will take any of your "bitter", and make it better, just like a tree planted by a river will thrive in all things, even in times of drought.
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