Scripture for Today | Jeremiah 17:5-10 (with Jeff Sholar)

About this Episode

Opening Song: 

O Lord, open our lips and our mouths will declare Your praise. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, 

Amen. 

 

The Scripture for today is Jeremiah 17:5-10. 

 

Let’s prepare our hearts to hear from God’s word as we listen to By the Streams by Jonathan Ogden. A steady rhythmic pattern is established by sustained piano tones; other electronic instruments are gradually layered on top. The vocal line is gentle as the text expresses yearning to be planted like a tree by the streams of living water.

Lyrics:

I have found my souls delight

In You Lord In you lord

I have found my souls delight

In Your eyes In your eyes

 

Your word is water to my soul

Your word is life to me

 

Plant me like a tree by the streams of living water

Plant me like a tree by the streams by the streams

 

Day and night

I will meditate on Your word

Passage: 

5   Thus says the LORD:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man

and makes flesh his strength,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6 He is like a shrub in the desert,

and shall not see any good come.

He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,

in an uninhabited salt land.

 

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose trust is the LORD.

8 He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

 

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately sick;

who can understand it?

10 “I the LORD search the heart

and test the mind,

to give every man according to his ways,

according to the fruit of his deeds.”

 

(Jeremiah 17:5–10 ESV)

Musical Reflection:

 “Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major by J.S. Bach

Reflection Notes: 

The slow, descending bass line creates musical “steps” in an elegant fashion while a suspended melody several octaves above creates a satisfying combination of sound registers.

Prayer:

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.