A message for the week starting on Sunday 13 February 2022
Lectionary Week: Epiphany 6
Prescribed Texts: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalms 1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26
Trusting God
Focus Text: Jeremiah 17: 5-10
In Afrikaans, there is a saying that the bite of one’s own dog hurts the most (when directly translated). It essentially mentions that while it speaks about a figurative dog, it really points to the people closest to you – people that you trust, respect and often also loved ones.
In today’s world, where divorces are on the increase, you seldom find that divorced couples remain friends or are even civil with each other. This is all because of a trust relation that has been destroyed = if your own dog bites you, it hurts the most.
However, the text is not suggesting that we should not trust mankind, it is saying we should not exchange our trust in the Lord for that of humanity. All relationships have the potential to go wrong, but God loves us even when we are at our worst. His desire for us is to find joy and happiness according to His will.
The text encourages us to put our trust in God. These are the promises to the faithful disciples who put their trust in God:
- They will be blessed.
- There will be stability, no matter the weather.
- They will not fear when confronted with any difficulty.
- God will provide even in the driest of seasons.
To think about: When last did I honestly search my heart to see to what extent I prioritise God? We serve God by serving people, but to whom do I direct my worship and trust?
Written by: Rev. Clive Swartz, trained Churches Channels of Hope (CCoH) facilitator, former CABSA programme co-ordinator