Place Your Trust In God

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Luke 16:19-31

Both the first reading (Jer 17:5-10) and the Psalm (Ps 1) today tell us that man must put his trust in God alone for only God is our Saviour and salvation. When a man falls into sin and experiences the wrath of God, it is a terrible thing. but when it is the people of God, who choose to make alliances with pagan nations, instead of trusting in the God of their salvation, Who bought them with His precious blood – it is indeed, a shocking indictment. Be that as it may, it is easy to look with disdain at the apostasy of Israel, as described by Jeremiah.. or to criticize those in Christendom who stray from the path of righteousness.

But should we not first examine our own Christian walk, and consider where we have placed our trust.. and on whom we have anchored our hope.
Do we trust in the works of man or place our faith in the strength of physical achievements? Do we put our confidence in our account balance, our negotiating skills or our government’s provision? Do we place our hope in our personal abilities, the achievements of man, the works of the flesh or ungodly alliances? or, do we trust in the Lord our God with all our heart and place our hope in His unfailing love and promised provision?

In today’s Gospel (Lk 16:19-31) Christ tells the story of the poor man, Lazarus, and the rich man outside whose house Lazarus used to sit. The rich man is not condemned because of his wealth but because of what his wealth had made him, that is, indifferent to the plight and true dignity of others. We are all given choices in life and the readings today implore us to make the right one: that is to say, to live by the law of God and to believe in Him alone while treating others as He wants us to, seeing Christ in each person. Lazarus, despite his misfortune and sufferings, did not lose hope in God. He set his eyes on God and enjoyed his reward when he died. What are you preoccupied with daily?

Ask the Lord to increase your desires for things of heaven and to share generously with others the many gifts that God has given you. May God make us rich in the things of heaven and give us a generous heart that we may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures He has given to us. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho