Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV

The blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and makes the Lord his hope and confidence. God says, “he is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water”—a tree not blighted by heat (tests and trials) nor worried by a season of  drought—spiritually speaking—because his “leaves” remain green, and he continues to lead a productive fruitful life to the glory of God.

God analogizes the life of a believer to a fruitful tree that is planted by the waters. What a powerful metaphor! This metaphor was first spoken of by David in Psalm chapter 1 and then reiterated by the Prophet Isaiah in his prophesy of the coming Christ. Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Sovereign Lord would be anointed of God to preach the good news to the poor in spirit; heal the brokenhearted; proclaim liberty for the captive in sin; recover the sight of those who are spiritually blind; and, release those imprisoned by darkness. Then, He would proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord’s favor and comfort all who grieved and mourned in Zion (the Church) and bestow on them beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. Why? So they would be called Trees (Oaks) of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, so that God would be glorified (Isa. 61:1-3; Luke 4:18-19).

Two things about the planting of the Lord: (1) Trees of righteousness are planted by the river of waters, and (2) Trees planted by the river of waters are fruitful trees (Psalm 1:1-3). The river of waters speaks of the Holy Spirit—a spiritual baptism into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). When God plants you, He sets into the ground to grow, to prosper, and to have a good success (Joshua 1:8). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).