Jeremiah 17:5-8 ... Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth
in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the
Lord. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see
when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the
wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed is the man that
trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 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 heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green;
and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease
from yielding fruit.
Exhortation: Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The people described in above scripture are exactly opposite. One cannot see when good comes and the other cannot see when heat comes for he is fully equipped for the issue.
And the one cursed trusts in man. His focus would be desiring reputation among men. He would desire fame. This is exactly opposite to what Paul told the church to do in Phil. 2 ... Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation,
No reputation: not seeking to be highly thought of ... not seeking fame
The flesh desires to be highly thought of ... The flesh desires to be honored among men ...
The way of God is to "make" yourself of no reputation ... considering only God and what HE has told you. When you do that men will hate you as they hated Jesus.
But while we observe the ways of God and do them, the world follows after reputation and riches. As a result when the downturn comes in economy they are caught in a trap of their own making and are overextended by their own desires feeling the heat of the economic downturn. While we who observed the instruction of I Tim 6 to flee the love of money, lived another way and often did not feel the problem of the world when it came because we lived within our means not allowing our flesh to seek more. This is just one example of the way men are cursed and thereby feel the heat and the way men are blessed and miss the worldly problem.
The "fear of the Lord" is to fear HIS word and thereby to obey His instructions, conforming our lives to HIS instructions while we live on this present earth.
The Bible is full of instructions from God.
Here is one instruction.
I Tim. 6 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
If we do this instruction, we will be blessed. If we seek more money and live the way of this world, living beyond our means, always trying to get more, we will be cursed.