Hi everyone,
It's been a little while since I posted, but I am reading Jeremiah! And I am challenged by this book. Like I posted last time, I have read the book before, but I am seeing the verses with a new refreshment and I am enjoying being challenged.
What I am most gaining from reading Jeremiah is his heart for a lost and broken nation. These people completely disregard what he has to tell them from God, and yet, he still cries out for them to return to God and be healed. He despises their rebellion, but he does not want their destruction. He sincerely loves these people though they reject him.
It's got me thinking - how do I love the people I'm around? In my city? In my neighborhood?
Do I love like this?
Truthfully, I don't. I lament where our nation is going and I hate what so many young people have to go through. But I hate it from a distance.
Jeremiah didn't do this. He was right in the heart of the action and spoke truth. He had an audience that rejected him, but he still stepped out in obedience. And that's what God asked of him. Am I willing to do this?
In these chapters, there have been a few passages that I want to point out. The first is Jeremiah 10:23 - 25. This is Jeremiah's prayer and I love it. It says:
"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own;
it is not for a man to direct his steps.
Correct me, Lord, but only with justice -
not in your anger,
lest you reduce me to nothing.
Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you,
on the people who do not call on your name.
For they have devoured Jacob;
they have devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland."
What I love about this prayer is Jeremiah's humility and acknowledgment that the whole world revolves around the sovereignty of God. It is His plan that is being accomplished in all our lives and it is His ways that will come to fruition. We have a spot in that, but ultimately, He lets succeed what He wants. Jeremiah surely praises the sovereignty of God in all situations.
Do we look at God the way Jeremiah does? When the world around us is going down the toilet, do we believe that God's sovereign hand is upholding His children? I do. Even as I think of the United States right now, I firmly believe that we are not going through anything that God has not ordained for us. He has challenged us to seek Him and be obedient to Him. In this, He promises blessing. But it's for full obedience - not half-hearted obedience.
This is a call to Christians in America. Have you been fully obedient to God? Have you submitted to His will and plans for your life, or have you only given Him a piece? If we've only been going about giving Him a piece, then we rightly deserve what we're getting. We're not fully obeying God. We're making our own way and fitting God to our idea of what's supposed to happen. In this, we're really not letting God be our God, but rather, we're making ourselves God and calling on God to acquiesce to us. How shameful of us! Christian America - REPENT! REPENT! REPENT! We are not God - God is God! He is sovereign, we are not! He is Holy and His plans are always righteous and good. Not ours.
And this brings me to the second section of Jeremiah I wanted to bring about. Chapters 18 and 19 are some of my favorite in the whole book; chapter 18 possibly being one of my favorite in the whole Bible because of how greatly it challenges what I've thought about God and how I view others. In chapter 18, God tells Jeremiah to go to the potter's house and look at the pots. When Jeremiah gets there, he sees the potter reshaping a pot because it didn't turn out just the way he wanted. The potter creates the pot to his liking, not the pot's.
This chapter tells of how God is sovereign. He does what pleases him. Now, some of us might look at these verses and think of how wrathful God is. It's true, God's wrathful character against sin is being displayed. But consider this point - if God hadn't reshaped Israel, we wouldn't be allowed to know God. If He hadn't opened up a way for Jesus to be for more than just the nation of Israel, we Gentiles would not know salvation. In His reshaping, we've been brought the opportunity to know Jesus and have a relationship with God.
God has created every person for noble purposes and for destruction. We never know who is created for what purposes, but isn't that a scary thing to think of? When I examine these verses, I see that there are possibly people around me that God has created to be separated from Him. That's very sad, but it's also His plan and purpose. Though He yearns for every person to come to salvation, He is also omnipotent to see how sin has clouded and dissuaded these persons. We must not forget that not everyone is saved. This should move us to care about them knowing the Gospel of Jesus! We should be sharing and being obedient in sharing truth. God longs for our obedience! Let's give it to Him!
Lastly, I just want to mention one passage. Being obedient to God is not easy. But we have to continue to push after it. And God will work. His Holy Spirit will burn within us! Jeremiah writes in chapter 20:8 - 9:
"Whenever I speak out, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the world of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long.
But if I say, 'I will not mention him
or speak any more in his name,'
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot."
God will not let us go! If we pursue after Him and fully surrender in obedience, He will not let us go down to eternal destruction. He will uphold us and defend us!
If you're pressing into Him, but having a hard time understanding, DON'T GIVE UP! DON'T GIVE UP! Strength will rise as you wait for Him! And let these words that Jeremiah declares about our God flood your soul with praise:
"But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;
their dishonor will never be forgotten.
O Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous
and probe the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them
for to you I have committed my cause.
Sing to the Lord!
Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues the life of the needy
from the hands of the wicked." (Jeremiah 21:11-13)
God is fighting for you! He love you and yearns for you to lovingly follow after Him! Draw near to Him and let Him work mightily!
Love you all,
Brandon
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Jeremiah 1 - 8
Good afternoon,
For all of you who know - I love to read! Hence, this website! But I've decided to change up what I'm sharing on this blog just for a little while (mainly because I'm in seminary and am reading many books at one time and it's very time consuming!). I've decided to share with you some Scripture that I've been reading and what I'm getting from these passages. I promise you this won't be every day - but I'll try to make it here once a week to share. (Also, because I can get through a lot of Scripture in a month, and that wouldn't be beneficial for anyone!)
So, here is what my newest pieces will be on - the book of Jeremiah from the Old Testament. I've read Jeremiah a few times (not many) and there is a lot I don't understand that the prophet wrote. That gives me a chance to learn from him, and hence, a reason to share of God's goodness. It's a hard book and I am not claiming to be an expert; but, I hope to challenge you to think as I interact with the text and share insights and thoughts from the passage.
Okay, let's get going!
I'll start with what I do know from Jeremiah. Jeremiah was called when he was a young man to be a prophet to Judah and he was a lifer! He prophesied to Judah about their downfall by the Babylonians and continued with them into captivity. His life was long and God called him to a very hard task. This was not an easy calling in any sense, but Jeremiah responded with obedience. He took the calling and went for it, even though it would be utterly painstaking.
Jeremiah had a unique gifting to call the people of Judah on their outlandish rebellion against God and also to feel what God was feeling for His estranged people. Jeremiah is known as "the weeping prophet" and for good reason. Just from the little bit I've read, there are two voices that come from the text: God's, which is powerful in judgment and forthcoming wrath, and Jeremiah's, who's is tormented by why the people reject God. But Jeremiah's voice is God's even there. How hurt God is by our sin. Just like Judah, even today, He mourns our rejection of His ways.
Jeremiah shares what God desires, in chapter 6, verse 16:
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
God yearns for His people, in context, the nation of Judah, to walk with Him and walk in obedience to Him.
God has been faithful to Judah, and He reminds them in chapter 7, verses 22-23:
"For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you."
God is clearly deserving of praise from the people of Judah. He has proven faithful, and He just yearns for the people to see Him this way.
But Judah doesn't. Sometimes, we can be so ignorant of God's call. He is offering mercy to repent and confess our folly. But we block it out. We disregard what He wants to do, and hurt ourselves. "Are they not rather harming themselves to their own shame?" (Jer. 7:19b)
This is the situation that Jeremiah is called to. This is where he will be preaching and prophesying. This will not be a successful calling. This will be hard.
Sometimes, we think that God will never call us to failure. I know I'm guilty of it. The book of Jeremiah says otherwise.
Just an example of this from the Scripture, let's look at chapter 7, verse 27:
"When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer."
What a hard calling! But, from our perspective, we see a beautiful side of God that we don't otherwise get to understand. He is mourning our sin. When we do not turn to Him and repent, He is devastated, for His justice must triumph. What Jeremiah felt is what God feels. How He longs for His children! How greatly our God loves!
But sin must have it's punishment. There is separation and it needs a payment to bridge the gap. That's why Jesus came. In the context, Jesus is not part of the picture; but we're not a part of that audience. We get to read Jeremiah from a standpoint of immense hope for our situation! We are called from our sin just the same, but there is a greater redemption for us through the death of Jesus! "By His wounds, we are healed."
Jesus' death paid the penalty for our sins and now we can walk in the ancient paths of obedience to God! We can have "rest for our souls!"
Are you yearning for that rest? Turn now to Jesus. Ask Him to take your heart of stone and give you His heart of flesh. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins and be cleansed!
Lastly, when Jeremiah was given his calling, he was shown that it would lead to immense hardship for his life. His career would not be defined by his following, but by his obedience to God. And that was all to show him that his strength was not his own, but was God's. God was showing Jeremiah just as greatly that He is always faithful and is ever-present. "I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled...I am with you." (Jer. 1:12b; 19)
The same is true for us. It might not always be easy for us - and we might not be called to greatness in anything. That doesn't matter. The point is faithfulness in obeying the call God has given you. Are you?
Bart Millard, lead singer of the band MercyMe, is quoted to have said, "Don't stoop to the level of a king if you're doing what God has called you to do."
Love and God's blessings to you,
Brandon
Father, your word is good and powerful and always true. Thank you for your word. And thank you for the view we get to see of Scripture - especially, Jeremiah's story. His story matters. Help me as I share from my interactions, to always bring you glory through this. Lord, would you allow hearts to continually be drawn to you? You are good. I will praise you. I love you Lord and it's only for your glory that I write this. Amen.
For all of you who know - I love to read! Hence, this website! But I've decided to change up what I'm sharing on this blog just for a little while (mainly because I'm in seminary and am reading many books at one time and it's very time consuming!). I've decided to share with you some Scripture that I've been reading and what I'm getting from these passages. I promise you this won't be every day - but I'll try to make it here once a week to share. (Also, because I can get through a lot of Scripture in a month, and that wouldn't be beneficial for anyone!)
So, here is what my newest pieces will be on - the book of Jeremiah from the Old Testament. I've read Jeremiah a few times (not many) and there is a lot I don't understand that the prophet wrote. That gives me a chance to learn from him, and hence, a reason to share of God's goodness. It's a hard book and I am not claiming to be an expert; but, I hope to challenge you to think as I interact with the text and share insights and thoughts from the passage.
Okay, let's get going!
I'll start with what I do know from Jeremiah. Jeremiah was called when he was a young man to be a prophet to Judah and he was a lifer! He prophesied to Judah about their downfall by the Babylonians and continued with them into captivity. His life was long and God called him to a very hard task. This was not an easy calling in any sense, but Jeremiah responded with obedience. He took the calling and went for it, even though it would be utterly painstaking.
Jeremiah had a unique gifting to call the people of Judah on their outlandish rebellion against God and also to feel what God was feeling for His estranged people. Jeremiah is known as "the weeping prophet" and for good reason. Just from the little bit I've read, there are two voices that come from the text: God's, which is powerful in judgment and forthcoming wrath, and Jeremiah's, who's is tormented by why the people reject God. But Jeremiah's voice is God's even there. How hurt God is by our sin. Just like Judah, even today, He mourns our rejection of His ways.
Jeremiah shares what God desires, in chapter 6, verse 16:
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
God yearns for His people, in context, the nation of Judah, to walk with Him and walk in obedience to Him.
God has been faithful to Judah, and He reminds them in chapter 7, verses 22-23:
"For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you."
God is clearly deserving of praise from the people of Judah. He has proven faithful, and He just yearns for the people to see Him this way.
But Judah doesn't. Sometimes, we can be so ignorant of God's call. He is offering mercy to repent and confess our folly. But we block it out. We disregard what He wants to do, and hurt ourselves. "Are they not rather harming themselves to their own shame?" (Jer. 7:19b)
This is the situation that Jeremiah is called to. This is where he will be preaching and prophesying. This will not be a successful calling. This will be hard.
Sometimes, we think that God will never call us to failure. I know I'm guilty of it. The book of Jeremiah says otherwise.
Just an example of this from the Scripture, let's look at chapter 7, verse 27:
"When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer."
What a hard calling! But, from our perspective, we see a beautiful side of God that we don't otherwise get to understand. He is mourning our sin. When we do not turn to Him and repent, He is devastated, for His justice must triumph. What Jeremiah felt is what God feels. How He longs for His children! How greatly our God loves!
But sin must have it's punishment. There is separation and it needs a payment to bridge the gap. That's why Jesus came. In the context, Jesus is not part of the picture; but we're not a part of that audience. We get to read Jeremiah from a standpoint of immense hope for our situation! We are called from our sin just the same, but there is a greater redemption for us through the death of Jesus! "By His wounds, we are healed."
Jesus' death paid the penalty for our sins and now we can walk in the ancient paths of obedience to God! We can have "rest for our souls!"
Are you yearning for that rest? Turn now to Jesus. Ask Him to take your heart of stone and give you His heart of flesh. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins and be cleansed!
Lastly, when Jeremiah was given his calling, he was shown that it would lead to immense hardship for his life. His career would not be defined by his following, but by his obedience to God. And that was all to show him that his strength was not his own, but was God's. God was showing Jeremiah just as greatly that He is always faithful and is ever-present. "I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled...I am with you." (Jer. 1:12b; 19)
The same is true for us. It might not always be easy for us - and we might not be called to greatness in anything. That doesn't matter. The point is faithfulness in obeying the call God has given you. Are you?
Bart Millard, lead singer of the band MercyMe, is quoted to have said, "Don't stoop to the level of a king if you're doing what God has called you to do."
Love and God's blessings to you,
Brandon
Father, your word is good and powerful and always true. Thank you for your word. And thank you for the view we get to see of Scripture - especially, Jeremiah's story. His story matters. Help me as I share from my interactions, to always bring you glory through this. Lord, would you allow hearts to continually be drawn to you? You are good. I will praise you. I love you Lord and it's only for your glory that I write this. Amen.
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