Trust Issues: When Man Fails and God Remains — Jeremiah 17:1–27

The recording, chapter markers and searchable transcript appear here once the Sunday video is available.

In this message

Trusting in human strength and substitutes for God leaves people spiritually dry, weak, and unfruitful, especially when trouble comes.
God’s commands expose what is going on in the heart, and God calls people to stop evaluating themselves and instead let Him search them.
Unjust gain and unethical “nest-egg” building ends in emptiness, because God’s blessing does not rest on dishonest paths.
God provides a real sanctuary and safety by inviting people to draw near to Him with sincerity and full assurance.
Ignoring God’s design for rest and trading obedience for ambition leads to burnout and spiritual coldness, not lasting strength.

The passage

The verses Lee stops on. Read Jeremiah 17 in full.

Jeremiah 17:1–4

1“Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. 2Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles beside the spreading trees and on the high hills. 3My mountain in the land and your wealth and all your treasures I will give away as plunder, together with your high places, because of sin throughout your country. 4Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have kindled my anger, and it will burn forever.”

Six visible sins in Jeremiah 17 share one root: a heart problem only God can search, heal, and redirect back to trusting Him.

What we have seen

After saying the heart is deceitful and only He can search it, the Lord says, “Be sure you’re not getting your nest egg together in ways that are unethical. Don’t lay up for…
The Lord made it crystal clear to His people: “Set aside one day in seven. A day to rest. A day to reflect. A day to reconnect with Me. ” He wasn’t suggesting it—He was…

What are the main sins called out in Jeremiah 17?

Jeremiah 17 names sins that show up in real behaviour but start in the heart. The chapter addresses idolatry, unbelief, forsaking the Lord, rejecting God’s servant, profaning the Sabbath, and hardened disobedience. The common thread is not just bad choices but a heart bent toward sin. The warning is meant to drive people to repentance and back to God.

What does Jeremiah 17 say about trusting in people versus trusting in the Lord?

Jeremiah 17 contrasts two kinds of people: those who trust in human beings and those who trust in the Lord. Trusting in human strength leads to spiritual barrenness—dry, weak, and bankrupt when the storm hits. Trusting in the Lord is pictured as flourishing like a tree planted by water, with strength to endure and fruit to share. The difference becomes clearest in times of trouble.

What does it mean that the heart is deceitful, and why does that matter?

The deceitful heart means sin is not just external behaviour but something written deep within a person’s inner life. Jeremiah 17:9 is used to explain why people can keep cherishing sin even when they know better: the heart misleads and is desperately wicked. Because of that, self-evaluation is not enough. God must search the heart, and God’s redemption is what can deliver.

How can someone resist sin if the heart is bent toward it?

Resisting sin involves yielding to the Holy Spirit and choosing not to continue in sin when temptation comes. The call is to ask God for help to resist rather than simply giving in to a pattern. The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are contrasted using Galatians 5:22–23, with the point that only surrender to the Spirit can guarantee motives pleasing to God. Romans 6:14 is cited to frame the fight against sin in light of grace rather than law.

What is Jeremiah 17 saying about getting rich or building a “nest egg”?

Jeremiah 17 warns that gaining wealth by unjust means ends in foolishness and loss. The point is that there is a right way and a wrong way to pursue success, and dishonest paths do not bring God’s blessing or happiness. The application presses honesty in everyday life—work, school, and personal dealings. Matthew 6:19 is cited to warn against laying up earthly treasure and to call for investing in eternity.

Where can someone go for safety and peace when life feels dangerous?

God Himself is presented as the sanctuary—a place of safety, peace, and refuge. J. Vernon McGee’s point is that while the human heart is dirty and deceitful, there is still a safe place: the high throne of God. Hebrews 10:19–22 is cited to emphasise that people can draw near to God with confidence because of Jesus. The invitation is to come to God rather than looking for security everywhere else.

Why does Jeremiah care about people rejecting God’s servant?

Jeremiah’s own example is used to show that warning people is not the same as wanting disaster to happen. Jeremiah spoke about a coming “woeful day,” yet did not long for destruction just to be proven right. The application is to stay available to the Lord now—loving boldly and speaking truth with compassion while there is still time. Waiting for judgment as a way to say “I told you so” is rejected.

What does Jeremiah 17 teach about the Sabbath, and does it matter today?

The Sabbath command is presented as God’s clear instruction to set aside one day in seven for rest, reflection, and reconnection with Him. Exodus 20:8–11 is cited to show it was commanded, not suggested, and given to bless rather than control. Judah’s choice to treat making money as more important than obedience is tied to devastation, and Nehemiah 13:15–22 is referenced as later reform to reinstitute Sabbath observance. The principle is applied as a warning that trading obedience for ambition leads to burnout and spiritual decline.

Why do people refuse to listen to God’s law?

Refusing to listen is described as a hardened response: pulling away, stopping the ears, and hardening the heart. Ray Comfort is quoted to say the unsaved refuse to hear because God’s law offends them. Romans 8:7 is cited to explain that the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God and does not submit to God’s law. Nehemiah 9:29, Isaiah 65:12, and Proverbs 1:24–28 are cited to show the seriousness of repeatedly refusing God’s call.

Where else scripture speaks

Every passage Lee reaches for. The ones he teaches from open here; the rest link out.

Matthew 6:19Exodus 20:8–11 Nehemiah 13:15–22 Romans 8:7 Nehemiah 9:29 Isaiah 65:12 Proverbs 1:24–28

Passages picked up elsewhere in the series:

Romans 6:14 — Boast About This
Hebrews 10:19–22 — Your Comeback Is Already Written
Exodus 20:8–11 — Called Before You Were Born, The Covenant is Broken
Romans 8:7 — Called Before You Were Born, False Religion… Worthless, Why is Life Un-Fair?

Take this with you

Friend… this isn’t just a list of sins.