City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh.

The Word

1 Blessed is the man

    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree

    planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

    and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

4 The wicked are not so,

    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

–Psalm 1:1-4 ESV

5 Thus says the Lord:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man

    and makes flesh his strength,

    whose heart turns away from the Lord.

6 He is like a shrub in the desert,

    and shall not see any good come.

He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,

    in an uninhabited salt land.

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.” 

–Jeremiah 17:5-8 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses from Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17 offer hope and promises that are found only by putting our trust in God and staying rooted in His faithfulness. Conversely, these verses also offer vivid imagery to show us what life is like for those who trust in their own strength and choose their own way. 

Those who trust in God are like trees planted by water, bearing fruit in each season. Whereas those who trust in their own strength/delight in other things are like chaff in the wind or a desert shrub–both hollow shells that offer no life or sustenance and are driven away by the wind. 

Here we see trusting in God produces a life of peace, abundance, and rootedness; trusting in anything else will automatically result in a life of wandering, wondering, and hollowness. 

While it seems like a no-brainer to choose to trust God, His Word, and His ways given the above scenarios, it’s all too natural to look to immediate sources of gratification to calm our anxious nerves. One thing about a tree is it takes time to become a humongous tree. Trees do not spring up quickly, but they get bigger and bigger with time: 

“So, in the case of trees, being old doesn’t mean being weak, bowed, and fragile. Quite the opposite, it means being full of energy and highly productive. This means elders are markedly more productive than young whippersnappers….”

― Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World

When it comes to a life with God, the results may not be instantaneous, but they are sure and steadfast. We all want fruit, but fruit flows out of rootedness, and rootedness can only be sustained by trusting in God, delighting in His law and instructions, and staying present with Him in the clear light of day and in the dark night seasons—when things are good and when things are obscure.

Application

Abiding in God involves staying engaged with God, His Word, and His ways. A tree planted by water is constantly replenished and does not fear dry seasons. Today, I encourage you to hydrate in God’s Word. Re-read the passages above (perhaps in another version or in your paper Bible) and allow them to replenish your soul as you read the words and soak in their truth. 

Prayer

Father God, I want to remain rooted in You. I am so tired of wandering and wandering through the wilderness of life. I want to hear Your voice and respond to it. I want to stay present with You despite all the distractions, busyness, and noise I face every day. Help me to slow down so I can hear Your voice and follow it. In Jesus’ name, amen.