We’ve lived in the West Texas desert. Twice. Not much can grow there. Even the small, stunted mesquite shrubs quickly become tumbleweeds in a windstorm. But here in southeast Texas the foliage thrives. It’s green around here pretty much twelve months of the year. Something is growing and blooming all the time. The plants have what they need – sun, warmth, and plenty of water.
I’ve seen plenty of stunted shrubs and fruitful trees. Such a stark contrast. In fact, God uses this contrast in the book of Jeremiah. God does that a lot in Scripture; He gives us word pictures to help us better understand spiritual truths.
The first chapter of Psalms has been my favorite for a long time – the man who mediates on the law of the LORD is like a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:1-3). But recently, the comparison God gives us in Jeremiah 17 between a stunted shrub and a fruitful tree really impacted me.
This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:5-8, NLT
Which are you? Stunted Shrub or Fruitful Tree?
How does one get to be a “stunted shrub?” You turn away from God and trust in humans. And the results are not pretty. Stunted shrubs are cursed. They have no growth and no hope for the future.
How does one get to be a “fruitful tree?” You trust in the Lord and put your hope in Him alone. The results are far much better. This person will be blessed and secure in difficult circumstances. She will stay healthy and grow, producing “fruit” that lasts.
I would much rather be a fruitful tree! How about you?
What can you do today to put your trust and hope in God?
I always love your insights, Kathy Howard!
Thanks for the encouraging words Rhonda! Love seeing you “here!”
I love your insights, but mesquites never become tumble weeds. This is because they are two entirely different plants. Mesquites have deep roots and are able to survive droughts because the roots go deep down into the water table, way below the surface water. If you have ever tried to dig out a mesquite you would realize that the roots are as big if not bigger than what growth you see on the surface. Many Christians are the same way, what you see on the surface may hide the growth in Christ they are experiencing in their lives as God prepares them for the times of drought to come.
Karen, thanks for the clarification and the insights!