Jeremiah 37:1-38:28 tells how King Zedekiah did not listen to the words of the Lord that He spoke through Jeremiah the prophet. In fact, when Jeremiah was obedient to the Lord and prophesied to the king, things did not go well for Jeremiah. He was arrested, beaten and thrown into the dungeon for many days. Jeremiah asks, "What wrong have I done to you or your servants or this people, that you have put me in prison" (37:18)? Then the king released him from prison and provided room and board for him.
Subsequently, when Jeremiah is prophesying to the people, some men with the king's knowledge seize Jeremiah and throw him into a cistern. There was no water in the cistern. But, there was mud. Jeremiah sank in the mud! Can you imagine the misery of this?
Hebrews 11:38 states of people like Jeremiah who were faithful prophets: they were "men of whom the world was not worthy." Amen! I pray for the courage and boldness of Jeremiah.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Restore us, O Lord
"Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved" (Psalm 80:3,7,19).
This repeated cry of Psalm 80 needs to be our cry as a nation. Oh that God's face would shine over our land!
As is the case so many times in the One Year Bible, another selected reading of the day ties in: "Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness" (Proverbs 25:4,5). Let's pray for our nation and our leaders as 1 Timothy 2:1,2 says, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
This repeated cry of Psalm 80 needs to be our cry as a nation. Oh that God's face would shine over our land!
As is the case so many times in the One Year Bible, another selected reading of the day ties in: "Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness" (Proverbs 25:4,5). Let's pray for our nation and our leaders as 1 Timothy 2:1,2 says, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
Monday, October 05, 2009
Remember the Mighty Deeds of God
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds" (Psalm 77:11-12).
David remembered the mighty works of God in his own life. He remembered how God empowered and enabled him to kill a lion and a bear as David protected his sheep. Drawing on those victories, he trusted God to empower him to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 34-36).
It is so vital that we remember the might of our God and His many mighty works for His people. We can draw on the memory of those mighty works to be encouraged and confident in God, who is able to do the impossible. We can confidently approach His throne with our needs and our requests. For we remember how He powerfully came to the aid of His people in the past. We should also draw strength from remembering the ways He has delivered and provided for us!
David remembered the mighty works of God in his own life. He remembered how God empowered and enabled him to kill a lion and a bear as David protected his sheep. Drawing on those victories, he trusted God to empower him to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 34-36).
It is so vital that we remember the might of our God and His many mighty works for His people. We can draw on the memory of those mighty works to be encouraged and confident in God, who is able to do the impossible. We can confidently approach His throne with our needs and our requests. For we remember how He powerfully came to the aid of His people in the past. We should also draw strength from remembering the ways He has delivered and provided for us!
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Transferred to the Kingdom of Christ
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13).
Sometimes we Christians forget this truth. As Christians we are in His kingdom. We are no longer under the dominion of darkness. We are delivered from its power and hold on us. "Let not sin therefore reign in our mortal body, to make you obey its passions" (Romans 8:12).
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:32).
Sometimes we Christians forget this truth. As Christians we are in His kingdom. We are no longer under the dominion of darkness. We are delivered from its power and hold on us. "Let not sin therefore reign in our mortal body, to make you obey its passions" (Romans 8:12).
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:32).
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