“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
“The Christian has a spring of comfort, which he cannot lose; and therefore never wants something to support him. If one have all his riches in money, robbers may take these away, and then what has he more? But though the landed man be robbed of his money, yet his lands remain for his support. They that build their comfort on worldly goods, may quickly be comfortless: but they that are united to Christ, shall find comfort when all the streams of worldly enjoyments are dried up.”
Thomas Boston (1676-1732) in Human Nature in its Fourfold State (Falkirk: Patrick Mair, 1787) 206.
In the days of the Puritans, a “landed man” referred to a person who worked diligently and relied on God to cause his faithful labor to bear fruit. This person trusted God’s design for living, giving, serving, and loving and, as a result, enjoyed a spring of comfort despite the ups and downs of life. This person was set in contrast to those who accumulated wealth and trusted in what they stored up. That path may seem right but it actually leaves people comfortless because their trust has been misplaced.
My mind went to Jeremiah when reading this quote because the comfort Boston speaks about only comes to us when our trust is rightly placed in God. Where’s your trust? The heat and drought will come. For example, we had a large unexpected car repair bill this week. Perhaps you have experienced a recent loss or trial. Friends, God sees and knows all we are going through, and He invites us to trust Him while continuing to live generous lives. Thank you Lord for the springs of comfort we find in you!