Jeremiah 10 - Day 660 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 10:8-11 Commentary (melissabeaty.com): Every other god has been made out of material goods or man’s imagination. The Lord, however, God, can affect earth and the people therein. Considering verse five, God is making the point that one should not fear these false gods because they are a created image. Instead, one is to fear for living God whose breath can actually affect people. Application: What were they thinking? How can something that is made be greater than the force that created it? Human beings fashioned "idols" out of wood and metal, then bowed down to the figurine. Funny, but many people today worship our cell phones and are completely lost without them. Huh. Prayer: Lord, we haven't changed so please help us... Jeremiah 9 - Day 659 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:1-2 Commentary (melissabeaty.com): God Is Mourning. God is not sternly proclaiming judgment upon His creation; He is weeping as He declares the consequences of sin. While God is the mighty Father and valiant warrior, these verses reveal that He also has all the tender emotions of a heartbroken woman. God, who is able to love so immensely, is also able to be equally sorrowful. Have you ever been so upset that no matter how much you cried it did not seem enough? You just wish that you could pour out all of your tears and sorrows in one giant gush. That is how God feels about our sins. Application: Our sins separate us from God. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Hence, God, our loving Father, mourns for His wayward children. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you... Jeremiah 8 - Day 658 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 8:4-5 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): It’s a great question. Why don’t people turn back? Why don’t WE turn back? The thing is, some people will never learn until the Lord fights against them. It sounds so brutal, but it’s true. Just take a moment and consider the battles that you have fought and what it took for God to finally wrestle you down on them. When this happens with me, I don’t listen to people. I suppress the Holy Spirit and justify my behavior. I get defensive and become emotional. Some even justify it by twisting Scripture. In the end, the Lord allowed me to experience deep heartache and sorrow that led to repentance. Application: Obstinate, headstrong, stiff neck, unbending, etc. - been there, done that. Why? I'm in control, even if it means that I'm destroying my life, at least I'm making the decisions. Prayer: Lord, thank You for being merciful and gracious... Jeremiah 7 - Day 657 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-11 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): Jeremiah 7:1-10 challenges the idea that is found in many of the hymns of Israel: God is in his temple so we are safe. For instance in Psalm 48, the idea is found that God’s presence in the temple of Jerusalem is like a kind of protective shield over Jerusalem that makes her invincible (cf. also the temple liturgies in Psalms 15 and 24). Jeremiah is faced with the reality that the temple and the city is not invincible as evident in the devastating Babylonian attacks that three times invaded Jerusalem and in 587 BCE destroyed the temple. Dealing with this loss, the prophet warns against an uncritical claiming of the promise of God’s presence for one’s own sake. God is not a security blanket, nor can God be used like an amulet or magic wand to ward off danger. Application: Like in any healthy relationship, our relationship with God requires our commitment, energy, time, and so much more. The Israleites had taken God for granted and expected Him to protect them, even in their sins. God loved them but doesn't exist to serve the whims of mere humans. Prayer: Lord, who am I that You would care to know my name... Jeremiah 6 - Day 656 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 6:1-5 Commentary (melissabeaty.com): Continuing the series of prophesies of destruction begun in chapter four, God repeats that the invading army will come from the north. Tekoa is a city of Judah, about twelve miles south of Jerusalem, which now lies in ruin. It was built by Rehoboam the son of Solomon as a defense against the recently split northern tribes (II Chro. 11:5-6). Bethhaccerem is a beacon station near Tekoa (Neh. 3:14). If an enemy was spotted, they would light a fire signal to warn the people. Both places act as an alert system for an invasion. Although the Jews were like a delicate woman who inspired men to dwell around and protect her, now she is become a place worthy of destruction. Instead of protectors and suiters around her, warriors surround her. Destruction usually comes in the night when the victim can not see clearly and is caught by surprise. Noteworthy is that the plans against Israel and Judah are formed in broad daylight; neither their enemies nor God try to hide their intentions. Application: Despite God's patience and mercies, negative consequences for our sins will happen. God is a loving Father who wants the best for us, so He will encourage us to stay on the right path but if we choose to disobey, then He will allow us to learn our lesson the hard way. Prayer: Lord, teach me to trust in You alone... |
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January 2024
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