The world, ourselves & even the enemy of our souls has made it easy to lose “Trust, Hope & Confidence” in anything, including the Lord!
Everything that builds any lasting value in our lives is going to have in its foundation those three ingredients… “Trust, Hope & Confidence”.
I want us to glean some things that can help us through the words of the Prophet Jeremiah. (weeping prophet)
Despite these dire prophecies of bad news & the suffering Jeremiah witnessed, God also gave Jeremiah words of hope & encouragement as well.
It is Jeremiah who spoke forth the well-known line in Jeremiah 29:11 NLT "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good & not for disaster, to give you a future & a hope.”
These words promising a hope for the future & a new covenant whereby sins are forgiven & people know the Lord intimately & personally were enough for Jeremiah to cling to his faith in God, even during his times of weeping.
I. Weariness of Human Strength…
Jeremiah 17:5 TPT YAHWEH said to me: “Even a strong person is cursed when his confidence rests in his own strength. To place your confidence in the strength of man means that you are turning your heart away from Me.
The heavenly Father is not speaking this word out of insecurity & His need of someone to lift Him up.
This is Him giving us insight that will help us walk in victory.
It is not that God cursed us, but when we are not leaning totally upon Him for wisdom & guidance in this life we will find ourselves falling under the curse that is on all fallen humanity.
Psalm 119:21 NLT You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from Your commands are cursed.
We must always remember that disobedience will always give open doors to the strategies of the wicked one.
In the same way, our obedience will keep us under His provision because it shows confidence in Him.
Psalm 1:1 NKJV Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful…
The abundant life that God desires for each of His kids to have is tied to our trust, which leads to our obedience to His instruction.
Human strength is so insufficient that it wearies us & ultimately turns us away from God.
They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. (ever tried to eat something that got over salted?)
II. Beware of the Human Heart…
We must become aware of the difference between the human heart & the regenerated heart.
We all agree that there is a heart that everyone is born with, but without our having anything to do with it, it is sick with a sin nature.
Jeremiah 17:9 TPT There is nothing more deceitful than the heart of man; who can understand it? Man’s heart is sick, in need of healing.
Nicodemus came to Jesus because there was something wrong with his heart.
Every person truly knows there is something wrong with their heart before they get born again.
John 3:5-7 NLT Jesus replied, I assure you; no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water & the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
Jesus said clearly, you got a natural heart, but it cannot bring you where you desire to go. You must have another experience & only the Holy Spirit can get you there.
So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.
Today, we must recognize the criticalness of having a heart change.
This is the only way a person will ever truly enter a relationship with God of “Trust, Hope & Confidence”.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NLT The Lord your God will change your heart & the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart & soul & so you may live!
Without Him you will never truly live!
Psalm 26:2 NLT Put me on trial, Lord, & cross-examine me. Test my motives & my heart.
This is a desperate cry for God to know my heart, but as much so, for me to know my heart! Knowing the condition of my heart is critical for this “Trust, Hope & Confidence” relationship.
Psalm 86:11 NLT Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You.
Can you hear it in the voice of David crying out desiring to live in that realm of “Trust, Hope & Confidence”.
That’s why I am always leaning on Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, & He will show you which path to take.
The Word of God is faithful to lead us by a regenerated heart in the ways we should go.
Jeremiah 17:10 NLT But I, the Lord, search all hearts & examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.
How many are glad He is faithful & can be trusted with our heart.
III. Roots that Reach Deep into the Water...
Jeremiah 17:7-8 TPT I will bless with happiness the one who trusts in Me, the one who trusts in Me alone. He is like a tree planted on the riverbank, extending its roots into streams of water. It does not fear when scorching heat comes, for its leaves remain fresh & never fading even in a year of drought. It has no anxieties but continues to bear luscious fruit.
Do you see it… “Trust, Hope & Confidence” are built into the heart that is completely following Jesus!
Colossians 2:6-7 NLT And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, & let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, & you will overflow with thankfulness.
The Word of God is clear that there has to be a continual growing in order for our “Trust, Hope & Confidence” to stay strong, healthy & effective.
Ephesians 3:17-20 NLT Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love & keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, & how deep His love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life & power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
So today you must make the decision…
• Will I continue to try & survive following my own natural heart?
• Or will I come running to surrender my heart in true repentance for not giving myself completely to the Lord.
• The Holy Spirit is drawing you, won’t you come surrender now!
