DEVOTION:
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
"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."
THOUGHT:
We have three large planters in our yard, and each of them have multiple sunflowers, like the one above, that stand majestically in them. They stand tall and vibrant, their yellow petals spreading wide, full of life and joy. Remarkably, this sunflower grew where it was not intentionally planted. It has flourished despite its unexpected place, drawing strength from the sun above and roots deep within the soil. Looking at these made me think, how often do we find ourselves in places we did not choose—unexpected seasons, unfamiliar territories, or even difficult situations? We may feel out of place, unprepared, unworthy, or unsure of how we ended up here. Yet, like this sunflower, God’s, creative ways are present, even in the most surprising circumstances.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 reminds us that when we put our trust in the Lord, we can flourish no matter where we are planted. Just as the sunflower turns its face to the sun, we are called to turn our hearts to God, drawing strength from His presence, even in places we never expected to be. Our surroundings may not always be what we would choose, but with our roots firmly grounded in faith, we will not fear the heat of adversity or worry about the drought of challenges. God sees your situation, and He knows your heart. He has equipped you to thrive in unexpected places. Wherever you find yourself today, may you stand tall, flourish in faith, and reflect His glory to all around you, just as this sunflower brings unexpected beauty to its unlikely spot.
Prayer:
Almighty and Holy God, help me to trust in You no matter where I find myself. Let my heart be rooted in Your love and my spirit turn to You as my source of strength and hope. Father, give me the strength to flourish in giving grace when I am under attack. Help me to remember the words Your son said in moments of despair and persecution. Lord God, thank you for the fellowship I enjoy in Your house. Thank you to my family, my neighbors, and Your Son that keeps me moving forward in eternal hope. May I flourish in faith, bringing beauty and light to unexpected places, knowing You are with me always. Lord, I look forward to gathering with other believers this morning praising Your Holy name, leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and lifting Your Son's name on high. Praise be to God the Father. In Your Son's holy name, I ask, Amen.