Peacemaker Wisdom is a series of blog posts that takes a 360-degree look at keys to interacting with others from a biblical perspective. This 360-degree look will help each of us handle conflict or tension in relationships with actions that Glorify God. Subscribe to this blog today. Let’s look at number 6.
Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NASB95)
7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lordand whose trust is the Lord. 8“For he will be like a tree planted by the water. That extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.”
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.
I am trying to figure out a way to illustrate this bible verse. So let me draw some parallels of things that we commonly trust in. Let’s just brainstorm a list quickly.
· A bridge: when I walk across a bridge – I trust that it will hold me up.
· An airline: when I trust in the plane and pilot – I trust it will get me from point A to point B.
· A heart beat: I trust every night that when I lay my head down my heart will beat all night and when I awake it will continue to beat.
· Breathing: I trust my body to keep breathing both in sleep and when awake.
None of these items are really sufficient to illustrate what the Lord does as we trust in Him. Is he the support under my feet? Yes! Is he my pilot and airplane? Yes! Is he like a heart beat? Yes! Is he like breathing? Yes! But really he is so much more. Every illustration when compared slightly breaks down. Now look at the next part of the bible verse.
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
Blessed is the man whose trust is the Lord.
Here it goes one step further. It says, “Whose trust is the Lord.” Think about this. What is the difference between “trust in the Lord” and “trust is the Lord.” “In” and “is” may not seem that significant but really they are – let me take a shot at explaining it.
I can trust “in” something but I may not make that something my only trust. The “is” denotes a singleness to the life of the blessed man. Think about it, God doesn’t want you to trust in 100 different things and God be just one of them. God’s desire is that He be the only one you trust.
I am often told when handling conflict that “I can’t trust them anymore.” I understand what people are saying. I have said the same thing at times. But there is another view of this, at least according to these bible verses: maybe your trust should have never been in them in the first place.
One time I put my kids to bed. After about 30 minutes I got up thinking they were asleep. I was doing some household things. When I heard a stir in their room. I went back in to find them hiding under their covers playing a video game. I said to my boys “Boys I need to trust when I put you to bed that you go to bed.” My middle child said “sorry dad!” As I left the room I heard my youngest son say to his older brother. “If we don’t have trust with mom and dad we don’t have anything.” Although this is an exaggerated statement made by a five year old. I get it. Trust is a big deal.
Application: In your current relationship, is your trust “in the Lord?” Is your trust, “is the Lord?” I know that is not proper English but remember. If you want the best relationship. A single trust not a dual trust will make you like a tree planted by water.
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
He will be like a tree planted by water.
When your trust is the Lord and is in the Lord you are like a tree planted by water. It really doesn’t matter if you trust someone else or if someone is untrustworthy. I understand that is a big statement; but the reality is a tree planted in Jesus will always be nourished.
A tree planted in Jesus and in some other relationships will struggle. Think about a plant or tree that is planted in two separate planters (two separate containers). I know that may not be possible. But say a tree has half of its roots going into one vessel and the other half its roots going into another vessel. The tree tries to get nourishment from planter A and from planter B. Now let’s say planter A is watered, fertilized, and taken care of. However, planter B is neglected, forgotten, and dry. What will happen to the tree? I am actually not sure. I do know this that if the tree had all of its roots in Jesus then all of its needs would be taken care of.
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
He will not fear when the heat comes.
He will not fear when the heat comes. Think about why this is possible. A lack of fear when the heat comes is based on a trust in Jesus who has and will come. This courage is alive because the tree or the person is planted next to the water. Now you may be asking how does this apply to my relationships?
Fear that is generated by heat that comes into a relationship can be simply generated by not planting our tree or lives next to the water. We may have planted ourselves next to our own abilities, our charm, our own intelligence, or something other than God. Think about the water in scripture. Here is a list of different ways water is used:
· Washing in the word of God (Ephesians 5:26-27)
· Water as salvation (Isaiah 12:3; Revelation 22:1)
· Water as the Spirit of God (John 7:37-39)
· Water as the Fountain of Life (Jeremiah 2:13)
Think about it:
· If you are far from God’s word your relationships will be tough.
· If you are far from the source of life your relationships will be dry.
· If you are not interacting in and through the Holy Spirit your relationships will be rocky.
· If God is not your fountain of life then your relationships will be dead.
Also think about this (If you do not believe me about this list read the next few sections):
· If God’s word is washing you then you will be a breath of fresh air.
· If Salvation has come to your home your home will be a source of nourishment.
· If the Spirit of God is refreshing you, your relationships will be clean and beautiful.
· If the Fountain of life is sustaining fear will be gone in your relationships.
This blog has gotten a little long so I am going to quickly cover the last two parts of this scripture.
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
Leaves will be green.
You totally can have green leaves because you are planted in Jesus. Do not be surprised when you respond to others and to God in an honoring way. You are a child of God. Your life is hidden in Jesus. You are a new creation. You are free from condemnation. You are bought with a price and it is no longer you who lives but Christ who lives in you.
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
He will not be anxious in a year of drought.
All of our lives and relationships will go through a time of drought. We will all have times when we simply do not or will not feel refreshed. However, we can be absent or free from anxiety simply because our roots go deep in Jesus. Jesus is our source of life. We must realize that we are able to stand. Not because we are anything, we can stand because he is everything.
Today your relationships may be filled with great anxiety. By faith, I encourage you. Your roots are deep in Jesus. Your life is built on the rich soil of Jesus Christ.
Peacemaker Wisdom #6 of 360:
Relational Health here we come!
He will not cease to yield fruit.
Some of us when we read this think that this is impossible. We look at our fallenness and proclaim: I will make a mistake I will fail. We begin to proclaim scripture like Romans 7 and 1 John 1:8. Taking these scriptures out of context, we make excuses for our lack of yielding fruit. Think about this scripture:
Romans 13:13–14 (NASB95)
13“Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
I want to proclaim and loudly remind you: you are a fruit bearer not because of you but because of who is in you. You are an amazing man or woman of God. You will not cease to yield fruit.
Thank You for taking the time to measure and build wisdom into each of your relationships. Let us know your story of how God is changing your life and bringing peace into your relationships. Email your story to mystory@peacemaker.training
Now go out in peace, live in peace, and make peace.
P. Brian Noble
