How do you know if you really trust God? The Bible answers this question quite easily in first Kings 17:8-15. God commands the prophet Elijah to appear before Ahab, the king of Israel and declare that there will be no rain for a period of three and one-half years (Luke 4:25; James 5:17) because he had led the nation into idolatry.  (1 Kings 16:29-33; 17:1) This lack of rain produced a severe drought that ended in a famine for the people of the region.  After the brook at Cherith dries up, God instructs Elijah to travel to Zarephath, which is about 80-90 miles north of his present location.  God informs the prophet that He has told a widow there to provide for him; afterwards Elijah begins his journey to Zarephath. (1 Kings 17:9)  

Elijah arrives at Zarephath and finds the window just as God had said. He requests a cup of water and that the widow fix him a piece of bread. (1 Kings 17:10-11) The widow satisfies his thirst, but informs him that she has an issue with fulfilling his request for a piece of bread (17:11). The widow explains her dilemma to the prophet. She informs him that she only has enough flour and oil for one last meal for her and her son and afterwards they would be prepared to starve to death (17:12). Elijah tells the widow not to fear, but to do as she has said with one change, make him a piece of bread first (17:13a). The suspense builds as we wait to see what the widow women will do—will she obey or ignore Elijah’s instruction. The widow instructs us as to what it means to trust the Lord; she obeys the prophet’s instructions in the midst of a desperate situation and she receives a miracle of deliverance from the horrid possibility of starvation (17:12-14). What an act of faith! What does our lesson text today say about Christians who place their trust in God (Jeremiah 17:7, 8)? I want to highlight two truths.

First, Christians who place their trust in God are blessed (17:7). Second, Christians who place their trust in God are like trees planted by flowing water (17:8; Psalm 1:3). Jeremiah is alluding to where we are placing our trust, in God or man. Israel had foolishly placed their trust in men (Jeremiah 17:5). We are to look to God, not the institutions of men for our wellbeing. For their failed trust in God, they experienced His discipline (17:6). Jeremiah provides a picture of what a person looks like who places his trust in God. Jeremiah says he is like a tree planted by flowing water whose root system is tapped into its source of life that produces vitality (17:7). The tree does not fear the heat or harsh conditions because it is rooted in a flourishing place. Listen, child of God, you are connected to the choice vine, Jesus Christ, and He will supply your every need regardless of the conditions of your environment. He is your source of life; do not stop trusting Him (John 15:4)!