Day 30 — A Tree by the Water

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.”

— Jeremiah 17:7–8 (BSB)

Picture two plants. The first is a small, scraggly bush in the middle of a hot desert. There’s no water anywhere. Its leaves are brown and crispy. When a hot, dry summer comes, it barely survives.

The second is a big, leafy tree growing right next to a river. Its roots stretch down to the water. When the summer heat comes, it doesn’t matter. The tree keeps drinking. Its leaves stay green. It keeps growing fruit year after year.

Jeremiah uses these two pictures to describe two kinds of people. Just before today’s verses, he describes the person who trusts only in themselves or in other people as that dry bush in the desert. But the person who trusts in the LORD is like the tree by the water.

Look at what that tree is like:

• It “sends out its roots toward the stream.” It keeps reaching for God.
• It “does not fear when the heat comes.” Hard times still come, but it isn’t afraid.
• “Its leaves are always green.” It stays alive and healthy, even when others dry up.
• It never stops producing fruit. Its life keeps doing good.

That’s the kind of person God wants you to be. And over these 30 days, that’s exactly what you’ve been doing: sending out roots toward the stream.

But the most important thing isn’t what you learned. It’s who you trust. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” Keep trusting Him. Keep reaching for Him. Your roots will keep growing deeper.

And the adventure isn’t over. In Book 2, you’re going to meet Jesus up close.

Think about it: Which day in this book helped you most? Why?

Try this: Flip back through the book or your notebook. Write down your favorite verse and your favorite thing you learned. Then show someone.

Dear God, thank You for these 30 days. Thank You for everything You taught me. Make me like a tree planted by the water: always reaching for You, not afraid of hard times and always growing fruit. I trust You, Lord. Keep my roots growing deep in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.