This passage offers two ways to live: by putting our trust and hope in people, or by depending on God. Putting our hope in people is the definition of a cursed life (5) because people cannot provide what our soul really needs. A life depending on people soon becomes like a spiritual desert (6). But God's abundant blessing is on those who trust in him, and they bear good fruit even when the world is troubled (7-8).

Our heart often deceives us with false sources of hope (9) because it's easier to rely on what we can see and touch. But God knows us inside and out (10), so we should pray to God and ask him to heal us from our sin-sickness, as Jeremiah did (14). Jeremiah was not perfect, and more than once he became seriously discouraged. But he was willing to be used as a shepherd by God (16), and God was faithful to him, delivered him from trouble, and used his life greatly. Through Jesus, we can have the same relationship with God that Jeremiah did. When we come to Jesus with faith, he heals us spiritually, forgiving all our sins, and he sets us apart for his good purpose.


Application: Father, thank you for showing me how deceitful my heart is, so I might come to you for grace and healing. May I also be used as your shepherd so others can receive healing in Jesus.
One Word: Heal me, Lord