Tag Archives: Jeremiah

As sure as the sun rises….

24 Friday Aug 2012

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Scripture – Jeremiah 33:25-26 (The Message)

“Well, here’s GOD’s response: ‘If my covenant with day and night wasn’t in working order, if sky and earth weren’t functioning the way I set them going, then, but only then, you might think I had disowned the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David, and that I wouldn’t set up any of David’s descendants over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But as it is, I will give them back everything they’ve lost. The last word is, I will have mercy on them.'”

Observation – The people are convinced that God has abandoned them. They have lost all faith in God and are relying on their own understanding of what is going on. It’s unfortunate because God has continued to assure them of His promise. He has asked for such simple things in return for their faith and trust.

Application – Even though these two verses took place long before Jesus Christ was born, I see this very same doubt in people today. How often do we ask God why He has allowed bad things to happen to us? There have been times in my life when I most certainly inquired of God if He had disowned me. But these two verses really put that thought into perspective. Think about it. He said, “if my covenant with day and night wasn’t in working order, if sky and earth weren’t functioning the way I set them going…” Has there ever been a time when the day and night didn’t occur just as they were supposed to? Of course not. He has assured us that He will never again wipe out the human race (the rainbow covenant). Instead, He consistently provides for our needs when we reach out to Him and follow His lead. In essence, He gives us mercy just as He did then. Knowing that I can continuously count on the “sky and earth functioning the way he set them going” is enough for me to believe that He will have mercy on me when I seek Him. He may not “bail me out of a jam” but He will always stand in that “jam” with me. That is mercy.

Prayer – Lord, why is it that in times of turmoil we lash out at you instead of clinging to you? Please forgive me for any doubts I have had about your love and mercy for me. Help me to feel your presence in all I do, and be blessed with all you give. Thank you for the mercy you show and the promise of never abandoning me. Amen.

Remove the Mask

14 Tuesday Aug 2012

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Scripture – Jeremiah 17:10 (The Message)

“But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind.I get to the heart of the human.I get to the root of things.I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

Observation – God sees through the mask we often present to the earthly world. He knows the depths of our hearts and what we are really feeling and thinking. He isn’t fooled by our attempts to cover and masquerade.

Application – I have often said that I wore a mask for many years. I remember tearing off that mask and the feeling of vulnerability was almost suffocating at first. Yet, it didn’t have to be. God already knew what I was hiding. He loved me in spite of my attempts to conceal the core of my being. Looking at it now, it’s a very freeing thing — to know that my friend, my father, my lord — knows me better then anyone and still loves me completely and unconditionally. If He, who is without sin, can love this sinner, then why do I worry about the approval and opinions of others so much?

Prayer – Lord, thank you for seeing beyond the mask. You have always been there, even when I tried to hide from you. You have waited patiently for me and wooed me until I finally came to your arms. Please forgive my resistance to be my authentic self. Amen

Delivered

13 Monday Aug 2012

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Scripture – Jeremiah 15:21 (The Message)

“I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked. I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”

Observation – God is all-powerful but He is also all-loving. In the verses leading up to this one, God was showing His anger to Jeremiah. But then His love showed up. He wants nothing more then for His people to love Him and worship Him.

Application – I believe there are times that we, as humans, feel we have gone too far into our sins to recover. I know that I have thought that in the past. I can remember times thinking, “there’s simply no way God can ever forgive me for this.” But that was just the Evil One trying to win out. God forgives all who truly seek forgiveness. There are not degrees of sins. One sin isn’t worse then another. They are all equally wicked. And, as He said, He will “deliver you from the grip of the wicked.” The thing we must remember is that we have to ask Him to deliver us. He is always there waiting. We just get too prideful to ask for His help. I am amazed by the length He will go to love me when I ask Him too. I have seen so many people delivered from ruthless behavior. I know it was because the Lord intervened in their lives when they surrendered to His will. It’s when we lack faith that He can help us that we find ourselves hopeless.

Prayer – Lord, thank you for ever constant love. I know I have disappointed you in my life many times, and yet, like any good father, you are always there. You are always ready to lift me up and kiss the hurt away. I praise you, Lord, for the forgiveness you constantly show me. Please continue to lead me down the right path and always convict my heart when I stray. Amen