Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
    whose confidence indeed is the LORD.

    He will be like a tree planted by water:
    it sends its roots out toward a stream,
    it doesn’t fear when heat comes,
    and its foliage remains green.
    It will not worry in a year of drought
    or cease producing fruit.   –Jeremiah 17:7-8 HCSB

Two important points occurred to me as I read this passage…In the time of drought, a person truly trusting in the Lord…

1. Will not worry… This struck home with me.  I have recently been going through a time of uncertainty.  Everything seemed to be falling apart and I began to get that anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach.  One morning, I found myself in the restroom staring in the mirror and just said out loud…God, is this something I should be worrying about?  Now, when I said it, I was absolutely serious.  However, the second the words were out of my mouth, I realized how ridiculous it sounded.  Seriously, in essence, I was asking God…So, do I need to help you out with this one?  Maybe a little brainstorming session?  I can tell you all of the possible outcomes that I would consider favorable.  Ridiculous, people, that’s what I’m saying.  So, the next time you find yourself in a time of drought, ask God…out loud…if He needs you to worry about the situation.  I’m pretty sure He will say something like…Don’t worry about anything (Philippians 4:6.)
2. Will continue to bear fruit…This one really caught my attention.  If you are truly trusting God, you will continue to bear fruit even in the midst of a dry and weary land.  This is where you exhibit the verse that immediately follows the Don’t worry about anything and that is and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7.)  See, peace in the midst of a difficult time does not make sense to many people…but that is what we are promised…fruit in the midst of a drought.  I love the way this verse reads in The Message…bearing fresh fruit in every season…fresh fruit.  That’s what I want…new growth in every season of my life.

You may find it hard to relate to all this talk about drought and fruit.  But, when I looked up the word drought…I couldn’t believe what I read:

• A period of dryness especially when prolonged; one that causes extensive damage and prevents growth

Okay, no surprise…pretty much the expected definition…but then…the next entry under drought:

• A prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired

That just hit me.  A prolonged lack of something desired…I think everyone could relate to that.  This is the kind of season that the Lord the was talking about…if you trust Him when you are in the midst of such a season…where something your heart desires is missing  – or something you had every reason to expect would happen does not…you can have fruit.  Not just any fruit.  You don’t have to try and survive on the joy you had before you entered the season of drought.  He will give you fresh fruit…fresh joy.

My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.  -John 15:8 HCSB

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