Heat and the Trusting Person

What do you know about summer heat?  Most of us who live in the upper Midwest know that heat always seems to be greatest in the month of August.  We know that it can scorch and parch the earth.  We know that shade gives us a welcome relief from the sweltering summer heart.

As the prophet Jeremiah described the person who puts their trust in Christ, notice his reference to heat.  “But blessed is the man who trust 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.  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” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

A person who trusts Christ does not have to fear the problems and difficulties that may arise in life.  Look at Jeremiah’s quote one more time and notice 5 things about the trusting person. The trusting person (1) Will be blessed; (2) Has a constant source of nourishment and refreshment; (3) Remains alive and vibrant; (4) Does not have to live in fear; and (5) Bears fruit.

My question to you today is, “Are these five things true of your life?”  When problems and difficulties of life (that might be consider a scorching heat) arise, are you protected?  If not, what is it that you need to help your anxiousness and fears subside?  The Scripture gives us the answer.  It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  To trust the Lord is to rely on Him completely—in every way and at all times.  Put your trust in the Lord today.  Then you can address the heat of daily living with confidence and without worry because God’s protection and strength will be your experience.

Awesome Lessons About Summer

The month of June traditionally begins the summer season, although the actual first day of summer is in mid-June.  Summer is one of the seasons of the year that is defined by the position of the earth in orbit around the sun.  In summer the northern hemisphere of the earth is tilted toward the sun resulting in longer and warmer days because of the more direct rays of sunlight.  Consider this from the Bible:

1)    God created summer.  “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).
2)    Various signs in the natural world point to the coming of summer.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near” (Mark 13:28).
3)    As long as the earth endures there will be summer.  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).
4)    One day there will be an end to summer.  “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

Here are some spiritual lessons based on point #4:
1)    Summer should remind us about the urgent matters in life.  Many times we get so busy with all kinds of activity that we forget about that which gives meaning and purpose to life.

2)    There will be a time when we can no longer make spiritual decisions.  If we do not take care of the needful things in life we will soon find that it is too late to take action.  Physical life will come to an end whether we are ready for it or not.
3)    We must be diligent to take care of spiritual matters.  If we wait too long we will lose out.  Of course, the most important spiritual matter is our salvation in Christ.

As you think about “summer” and your life, here are some things to consider: Turn your life over to God.  Receive into your life Him by faith.  Tell Him that you love Him.  Repent of your sin.  Remember, the Lord is “Patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).  Make this summer a significant milepost in your life by beginning and developing your relationship with God.