Bearing Fruit Even in Drought

Jeremiah 17:5-8
NIV
5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

MSG
5-6God's Message:

"Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He's like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.

7-8"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They're like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.

There is no doubt that this is a season of drought for me. A season of waiting is definitely a season of drought as you fail to see anything happen that you think should be happening! For me, it is getting the funding I need to get to Africa... Being patient is hard, but these verses have been speaking to me so much on so many levels about quieting my own ambitions and trusting God; even if I see a vast, dry desert in front of me. He promises that if you seek Him first you will bear fruit, even if by all natural means it is impossible!! (Matt 6:33) I mean a tree bearing fruit in a a season of drought... that's pretty impossible isn't it? But He still promises FRESH fruit!! Here are some thoughts on these verses...

Why do the leaves stay green in the drought?
- The tree (you and I) is drinking from the stream (God's Word- He is Living Water!!!).
- It must have been planted for a while to have a substantial root system to even receive water, especially in a drought season.
- I've been thinking about the fact that during a drought (even summer months) a tree would actually need to drink MORE water than usual to counteract the heat's effects.

Why does it not worry in times of drought?
- God has PROMISED a harvest of fruit!!
- Have faith in that promise even when the heat continues, no life is seen, and dryness and hopelessness abound.
- Don't worry because you have access to all the water (stream=God) that you need and you WILL bear fruit.

Why doesn't it fear when heat comes?
- It doesn't fear because it is connected to the stream!!!
- See how it says the leaves stay green? I believe the tree is trusting because, although there isn't fruit YET, its leaves are green. That means you can see that the stream IS providing, IS nurishing and fruit is on its way!!!! I believe God is saying don't look at your circumstances (the heat and lack) but look at your source and evidence- even if it isn't what you'd expect (leaves instead of fruit... for me: spiritual growth and not financial- YET!)


Compare our two options:
1- Trusting in Man (Others/Ourselves)
You become like a tumbleweed in the dessert. You are tossed around, inconsistent, with no prosperity. Your heart is deceitful (vs. 9) because you are focused on your circumstances. This leads to worry and fear, which lead to confusion.

2- Trusting in God
You are like a tree planted by a stream of Living Water with strong, durable roots. You are consistent, bearing FRESH fruit EVERY season. Your focus is on God and His Word. Your focus is on the promises He has made you from the mountain top of faith. You trust Him, because He CANNOT lie! Therefore you are not worried, you do not fear, and you are serene and calm during this season of drought!

I don't know about you, but I'm working hard to be that tree and I'm just waiting for the harvest of fruit!! (Who'd really want to be a tumbleweed anyways!! LOL)