In my years in business, I discovered a curious pattern that always held true. It would happen in times when finances were tight, and would begin when I realised that a faithful customer of mine was due to make a payment soon. Naturally, I would set my hope on his coming payment, as this customer had always proved reliable in the past. And what would happen? This otherwise loyal customer would for some inexplicable reason be running late. And the payment I had set my heart on to be the answer to my immediate needs, would inevitably fail to arrive.

This was such a consistent pattern in my life, that I began to realise it was no coincidence. Jeremiah tells us that the man “who trusts in man” is under a curse (Jer 17:5). In other words, as soon as I set my hope on this particular person to be my source of provision, it was immediately doomed to fail.

Jeremiah goes on to say:

“He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.”

Jer 17:6

If my source is a person, that source will always inevitably fail. And I will be like the desert shrub, haplessly hoping for the rain that never arrives.

What is the remedy to this curse? It is to put our hope in God. Seeing Him as our source, depending on Him for provision of our every need. And as we set Him as our source, we are also reminded of the importance to be in right relationship with Him. To seek His face, to study His Word and to obey His directions.

And here in the promise for those who make this adjustment:

“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