As our world situation deteriorates who and what do we trust to get us out of the mess we find ourselves in? Where do we go for refreshment? What waters, feeds and sustains us?

During the pandemic many of us have been living like the shrubs in desert that Jeremiah describes. We are still alive, but life has become parched and painful. Unable to mix and feel safe we haven’t had the friends and support we would normally have around us or the refreshment we once enjoyed through holidays and trips out. No longer confident in our leaders and hearing lots of differing advice we do not know who to trust.

Do we drop all restrictions, lateral flow tests and face masks on the 21st February as the government advocates or do we follow the medical advice and continue as we are?

Is the dropping of the restrictions the relief that we are all waiting for? Will it increase our sense of well being or blessedness or our sense of anxiety?

As we look at the amount of debt our country is in, inflation and worry about keeping ourselves warm and feeding ourselves many are feeling far from blessed.

While many are hungry and mourning their losses, others we hear are living rich, privileged lifestyles. They are the ones laughing and partying now, not those they have tried to do the right thing and keep themselves and others safe.

Jeremiah says we are cursed if we trust in mere mortals and make flesh our strength.

Globally humans continue to trust in the rich and powerful in the false belief that they can get things done. Surprisingly, Boris is still in position despite his obvious failures to keep his own law. The public like people who believe they know what they are doing; those who trust in their own strength. They appear to be stronger than those who trust in God.

They also like those who promote their idea of having as good time, partying, booze, sex sticking two fingers up at the rules, hence the Trump phenomenon in America and the popularity of President Putin in Russia.

Our leaders reflect the sins of the nation. We have put them there.

Whilst our prime minister has appeared to act like a clown recently, he is an astute politician and will do what brings popularity. He is aware of the need to make us feel better and nothing would do so more quickly than believing that the virus is now under control.

Some still trust in science. Our prime minister advocated this until now. He now differs from the views of most scientists. Most doctors do not think lifting all restrictions is right. Science is important. I am grateful for the vaccines that have given us a level of freedom and for all the research that enabled them to be delivered so quickly.

Science also has its limitations. Healing is not found for all illnesses and conditions and when one sickness is overcome more mutations take place and others appear.

When we place anyone or anything above God we are committing idolatry.

The people of Judah were committing idolatry in Jeremiah’s time. They had been worshipping Baals and material wealth. They had rejected Yahweh and their heritage and were soon going to suffer the consequences when they were defeated by Babylonia. Many were killed and their elite and temple riches were taken away into exile. Life was grim for the poor and it was going to get worse.

They had a choice to make. They could continue to live in parched places like a shrub in the wilderness or they could be like trees sending out its roots by the stream.

Whether they turned back to the Lord or not they were still going to suffer the economic and physical consequences of their nation’s sins. However they could remain in salted, poisoned land with no hope of relief or they could receive nourishment from the Lord.

We need to be rooted and grounded in the Lord. Jesus is living water and the bread of life. He waters, feeds and sustains us when our lives are lived prayerfully, worshipping in his presence.

In contrast to those who have broken the rules, the church today is often depicted as weak and ineffectual. We are often seen as miserable, boring spoil sports. This is not how the Lord sees us.

A tree by water is strong and attractive to others. It does not fear the heat or the cold and it does not cease bearing fruit. The nation needed strong, fruitful leaders from amongst the poor who were left behind. They needed trees, not shrubs.

We are blessed when we trust in the Lord even if what is happening around us gets worse. We need to make sure our hearts are right and that we are pure within so that we are ready for what God is going to do in our times through us.

After Jesus has spent a night in prayer and chosen his disciples, multitudes came to him for healing and deliverance. Those who were troubles and considered unclean were cured. They knew where to find healing and refreshment in troubled times. They were not however ready to become followers or disciples of Jesus.

Jesus looked up at his disciples knowing all they were going to suffer for him, that they would be poor, hungry, and mourn the loss of many things. Worse still they would be persecuted, hated, reviled, excluded and defamed. He reversed all the Jews thought about blessing and happiness by telling his friends that when they suffered these things they were blessed. They were to rejoice and leap for joy for their reward would be great in heaven.

Making godly choices is costly but ultimately rewarding. Jesus reassures us there will be a great reversal for those who are rich, full, laughing and partying now. They will hunger and weep.

However bad things get, we are nurtured, fed, watered and strengthened by our relationship with the Lord. As we trust in him we will be fruitful and bring healing and hope to those around us.