Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:4, ESV
Note before sharing the devotional: as I was reading through this devotional while putting together the blog post, I thought the below image of a tree stretching out over the water was perfect. This is what I call my "Tree of Life" tree. (No joke, I even released a demo EP titled "The Proverbial Tree of Life" on my Bandcamp site over 10 years ago and used this as the album cover!) This tree sits over Geneva Lake at a retreat center called Conference Point, in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. I was on am overnight retreat with other 20s and 30-somethings at my former church. During one interval while on the full day we were there, we all were instructed to find a quiet spot to do a personal retreat while reflecting on a few questions. One of the guys in my group climbed up this tree for his spot. I found a different spot, one that was on the ground and much more comfortable, but I took notice at how this tree was shaped. On my next trip to Williams Bay, a couple years later, I made a point to go find this tree and take a photo, which is below.
Also while I was putting together this blog post, this Scripture verse from Proverbs also came to mind, not only because of the tree, but also the devotional. After all, who is your tree of life? Is it not, and should it not, be Jesus Himself?
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12, ESV
Who Do You Trust?
Maybe it’s a dream you’re holding onto, or a promise you’ve been given. Maybe you’re waiting on a person to change, or a situation to shift. Maybe you’re waiting for a prayer to be answered, joy to replace sorrow, or clarity and hope to replace confusion and chaos.
It can be difficult in the midst of pain, loss, and suffering to patiently cling to the One who promises to come through for us.
Isaiah was a prophet to the leaders of Judah during a time of national corruption and spiritual destitution. He foretold of his people being dragged away into exile because they were trusting in idols, political rulers, and other momentary things.
But Isaiah also reminded the people that God was sovereign, God would bring them out of exile, and God would one day send a savior to rescue them forever.
Isaiah didn’t live to see all his prophecies fulfilled—but he held onto the hope that he prophesied about, and his words to the people of Israel can continue to encourage us today.
Trust in the Lord even when circumstances don’t make sense.
Trust in the Lord even when you’re suffering.
Trust in the Lord even when your heart is breaking.
Come what may, trust in the Lord.
Seasons may shift, situations may change, people may abandon, desert, or betray you—but the one who remains constant throughout history is the God over history. The Lord is unchanging and immovable. Nothing can stand against Him or overcome Him.
He knows what it’s like to suffer because He suffered for us. And so we can trust God because He keeps His promises—and He has promised to fight for us, never leave us, make a way for us, love us, protect us, and remain faithful to us.
Since God is our salvation, we can trust Him and not be afraid.
So come what may, let’s choose today to trust in the Lord.
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.26.4.ESV
Prayer: God, You are my source of strength and hope. You form the foundation of my life, and You overwhelm my fears with Your love. With You, all things are possible. Even when everything around me seems to crumble, I will trust and not be afraid -- for my future is found in You. Thank You, God! In Jesus' name, Amen.
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