“Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.  For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.  Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.’ ” Jeremiah 17:5-8.

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; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water; that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall proper.  The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Psalm 1:1-4.

The one who trusts in man and his strength is indeed foolish.  He will be cursed, not able to recognize good and his life will be like a desert with no substance to it.  The word for chaff above is an Old Testament word picture from harvest time for what is unsubstantial, without value, and worthy only to be discarded.  A man’s life is without value apart from God and these ungodly men will perish in the end (Psalm 1:6).

In contrast, blessed is the man who trusts and places his hope in God, the one who delights and daily meditates in God’s Word.  He will have deep roots which prevent him from being moved, even in hard times, as his trust and dependence on God removes all fear.  His life will always be productive as God will see that it is.  The word for “planted” in the verses above literally means “transplanted”.  The godly are transplanted into God’s kingdom through His grace which produces saving faith.

As Christians, our trust and hope is in God.  We have nothing to fear from life here on earth as God has everything under control and we can trust Him for that.  Like a tree planted close to the nourishing water our leaf will always remain green, even in times of drought, as long as we maintain our trust in God.  Further, our eternal destiny is secure.  Our great hope will be realized.  We will not perish as those who trust in man, but will spend eternity with God in Heaven.