James was going through such difficult times. Some of the folks who were casually associated with him were trying to figure him out. I can’t wait to tell you about him. Even more, I can’t wait to share today’s Scripture verses with you. Here they are and then more about James.

“Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when the heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Some wonder what caused James to be so optimistic and upbeat even as he went through difficult times. More than one person suggested that it must be his personality. Another person suggested that it was because of the nice home in which he lived; he could always come home to his beautiful home. Others suggested that it must be his hobby. Everyone knew that he really loved his stamp collection. Surely working on his stamps in his evening hours must be the cause for him weathering the storm of trials that had come to him.

Still others who knew him better knew the Source of his strength. It was because the Lord was like the waters that nourish the tree planted on its banks. It was not that James lived in denial of his troubles. It was that the Lord was such a Source of help and such a Source of strength that he was able to face even the most difficult times in his life. How about you? Do you know the Lord as your Savior? Are you like the tree planted by the waters that receives its refreshment and nourishment even in the heat of the day?

For today: Knowing Christ as your personal Savior will not take your troubles away, but it will give you amazing grace and help to face your troubles and to live as that planted tree by the waters.