A Brief Reflection on Jeremiah 17:7-8

In Scripture study we look at the Mass readings for the upcoming Sunday. The first reading was from Jeremiah:

5

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6

He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.

7

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.

8

He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.

Source

It occurred to me, reading over verses 7-8, God does not promise us that life will be easy if we trust in Him. The heat will come. The year of drought will come. What God promises is that we will flourish despite hardships. That He will be with us.

A simple realization, I know. Those verses from Jeremiah just seemed so real to me. Because that is truly what life is like. That is the difference that having God makes.