“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jer. 17:7–8).
(1) What is blessedness?
It’s happiness, satisfaction, or contentment. John Calvin describes it as “true peace of mind.” Everyone wants it, yet very few people find it. Why? They look for it in all the wrong places.
(2) What is the source of blessedness?
It’s God. The mind can only be satisfied by what’s true. The heart can only be satisfied by what’s beautiful. The will can only be satisfied by what’s good. Therefore, the soul can only be satisifed in God - all that's true, beautiful, and good. To be blessed is to know God. It’s to love God. It’s to trust God. It’s to trust Him for guidance. It’s to trust Him for provision and protection. Above all else, it’s to trust Him for salvation.
These verses in Jeremiah are actually part of a larger section, in which God compares two men.
On the one hand, there’s a “cursed” man. He’s cursed, because he trusts in man. As a result, he’s like a bush, planted in the middle of the desert. When drought comes, he withers. This man doesn’t think he needs saving. He thinks he’s okay without God. If there’s a God, and if there’s a heaven and hell, and if there’s a judgment, he thinks he’ll be alright. But he isn’t alright. “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9).
On the other hand, there’s a “blessed” man. He’s blessed, because he trusts in God. He knows his heart is desperately sick. He knows he needs forgiveness. He knows he needs a Savior – Jesus Christ. To trust in God is to trust in Christ. It’s to accept the fact that I can’t obey God, and that I deserve to be punished. It’s to believe that Christ has obeyed God on behalf of sinners, and that Christ has been punished on behalf of sinners. As the apostle Paul declares, “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account” (Rom. 4:7).
(3) What is the fruit of blessedness?
First, the “blessed” man perseveres. A tree, planted by streams of water, is free from the crippling damage of drought. Similarly, when trials and tribulations appear, the blessed man is protected. Because of his relationship to the river (God), he’s able to persevere despite all that happens to him. He draws his strength from God.
Second, the “blessed” man prospers. A tree, planted by streams of water, bears fruit. Its leaf remains green. Likewise, the blessed man does not cease to bear fruit. He prospers in his personal life, growing and maturing spiritually. He prospers in his marriage and family. He prospers in all his relationships.
Quotable: “Millions of men mistake both the nature of blessedness and the way thither” (Thomas Watson).
(1) What is blessedness?
It’s happiness, satisfaction, or contentment. John Calvin describes it as “true peace of mind.” Everyone wants it, yet very few people find it. Why? They look for it in all the wrong places.
(2) What is the source of blessedness?
It’s God. The mind can only be satisfied by what’s true. The heart can only be satisfied by what’s beautiful. The will can only be satisfied by what’s good. Therefore, the soul can only be satisifed in God - all that's true, beautiful, and good. To be blessed is to know God. It’s to love God. It’s to trust God. It’s to trust Him for guidance. It’s to trust Him for provision and protection. Above all else, it’s to trust Him for salvation.
These verses in Jeremiah are actually part of a larger section, in which God compares two men.
On the one hand, there’s a “cursed” man. He’s cursed, because he trusts in man. As a result, he’s like a bush, planted in the middle of the desert. When drought comes, he withers. This man doesn’t think he needs saving. He thinks he’s okay without God. If there’s a God, and if there’s a heaven and hell, and if there’s a judgment, he thinks he’ll be alright. But he isn’t alright. “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9).
On the other hand, there’s a “blessed” man. He’s blessed, because he trusts in God. He knows his heart is desperately sick. He knows he needs forgiveness. He knows he needs a Savior – Jesus Christ. To trust in God is to trust in Christ. It’s to accept the fact that I can’t obey God, and that I deserve to be punished. It’s to believe that Christ has obeyed God on behalf of sinners, and that Christ has been punished on behalf of sinners. As the apostle Paul declares, “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account” (Rom. 4:7).
(3) What is the fruit of blessedness?
First, the “blessed” man perseveres. A tree, planted by streams of water, is free from the crippling damage of drought. Similarly, when trials and tribulations appear, the blessed man is protected. Because of his relationship to the river (God), he’s able to persevere despite all that happens to him. He draws his strength from God.
Second, the “blessed” man prospers. A tree, planted by streams of water, bears fruit. Its leaf remains green. Likewise, the blessed man does not cease to bear fruit. He prospers in his personal life, growing and maturing spiritually. He prospers in his marriage and family. He prospers in all his relationships.
Quotable: “Millions of men mistake both the nature of blessedness and the way thither” (Thomas Watson).
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