Week 40: Why You Shouldn’t Trust Your Heart (Jeremiah 17)
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream…” (Jeremiah 17.7-8)
The prophet Jeremiah gives us contrasting imagery to describe two very different ways of living. The first is of a bush struggling to survive in a barren wasteland. The second is a tree that flourishes because it’s planted next to a stream of water. The difference is meant to highlight the importance of being connected to the source of life!
Doug Whitmore joins Andrew to talk about these images found in Jeremiah 17. What are the lessons they have to teach us about placing our confidence in God rather than human strength? Why are we so quick to trust ourselves, or other people who seem to have the answers, instead of God? And how can we develop a trust in God that sustains us through life’s most difficult seasons?
Highlights from this episode:
- What Jeremiah’s images teach us about trusting God
- Why relying on human strength and wisdom often leads us astray
- How to develop deep roots that sustain you through hard seasons
Listener question this week:
- Proverbs says there is a way that seems right to us but ultimately leads to death. How can we recognize we’re on the wrong path when it seems right? (Proverbs 16.25)
We want to invite you into the conversation! Each week, we’ll respond to questions you send in. If you’re participating in the reading plan, ask your question by sending an email to andrew@paseodelrey.org.
Every week this podcast highlights a passage or theme from our Paseo Reading Plan. To join us in reading the Bible this year, download your free copy here.