July 31 Devotion: Placing Trust

Placing Trust

Jeremiah 17:5-7

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. [6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. [7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

You hear the word hero used often today. Many people speak of a parent as their hero. Others look up to faithful men and women in the ministry as heroes. There is nothing wrong with having godly examples in our lives.

The danger comes when that admiration turns into misplaced trust. Some have taken it a step further and placed more confidence in a man than in the Lord. It is easy to point to cults or false religions and wonder how people could become so into  the teachings of one individual. Yet, we must be careful that we do not fall into the same trap ourselves.

How many churches have changed the Bible they use or altered their beliefs to follow the opinions of a respected leader? Even when those changes contradict Scripture, many simply accept what man says rather than what God has already declared in His Word.

Others place an individual on such a high pedestal that they seek that person’s advice, approval, and direction more than they seek the Lord’s. They begin to believe that person can do no wrong or could never make a poor decision. No matter how godly someone may be, every person is still human and capable of falling.

Our text reminds us not to put our confidence in man above God. It is good to appreciate faithful leaders, but our faith must always rest in the Lord. Let us be careful that our admiration for people never replaces our dependence upon God.

God bless,

Bro. Josh Richardson