Jeremiah 5 - Day 655 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 5:1-5 Commentary (melissabeaty.com): The people do not want to hear the truth because they lust after ungodly lifestyles. To them, it is easier to sin. Righteous living is a burden, prohibiting one from doing as one will. This is, of course, far from the truth. Righteous living removes that which is cumbersome and detrimental to the soul, thus alleviating many worries and consequences. That is, the only things one gives up to live righteously are the things that in the end will hurt one. The wicked do not desire to live righteously because they do not want to bridal their desires. Choosing sin over self-control, the wicked do not want to hear preaching about the consequences of sin. Instead, they want to hear that their way is acceptable to God and that God will not punish them for their choices. Recognizing this, some religious leaders cease from preaching the truth and only tell the good things about God. They lie to the people to scratch their itching ears, telling them that they are free from the consequences of their sin. God rebukes this line of thought with a simple question: in the end, when one’s life is over, what will it have accomplished? All the lying and pursuing of one’s desires will have done nothing but lead one straight into hell. Application: Sadly, we have leaders today that live in denial and the consequences of their sins affect our nation. Prayer: Lord, fulfill Your promises and change our hearts to know You... Jeremiah 4 - Day 654 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 4:3-4 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): The ground has hardened. Cracked from lack of rain the soil is like rock. Seemingly nothing can penetrate it except a plow. Tilling, the plow breaks up the soil, turning it over and makes it workable. This is the image of a hardened heart. When we have failed to be obedient, chosen to do things our way, with each decision our hearts become a bit more hardened to the ways of God. If soil could feel, the plow turning it over would be painful. Often pain takes place when our hearts have become so hardened to the voice and will of God. The soil of our heart must be upended to allow new growth to take place... Application: It's often in times of despair that we turn to the Lord for help so it makes perfect sense that as a loving Father, YHWH God allows us to experience the consequences of our actions. However, instead of humiliating us for our obstinance, He comforts us. Prayer: Lord, You alone I long to worship. You alone I long to praise... Jeremiah 3 - Day 653 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 3:1-10 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): Married people, how would you feel if your spouse wanted to share their love equally with another? Would you be fine with that? God challenges the people to consider their ways. They have left Him as their first love and given themselves to so many others. But that’s not all. The Lord says they have done so without any shame. There was no conviction, therefore, there was little repentance. Application: Our actions matter more to God than our intentions. Prayer: Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner... Jeremiah 2 - Day 652 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 2:1-6 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): Jeremiah uses two types of imagery to picture the wilderness relationship between God and the people of Israel. He first uses newlywed imagery. This metaphor compares the relationship of the people to God that of a bride to a groom (verse 2). He next uses first fruits imagery. This metaphor states that Israel was set apart for God in the same way that the first fruits of a harvest were (see Leviticus 23:9-14). Both images underscore the specialness of the early relationship between God and the people. But, the Lord says through Jeremiah, things changed. At this point, God frames the issue in terms of “they” and “them”—why did the people’s ancestors go from being a faithful bride to being an unfaithful spouse? Why did the relationship between God and the people break down? God poses the question in terms that would have been used in a divorce proceeding: what has God done that would motivate Israel to become unfaithful? The implied answer is “nothing.” Application: When the euphoria of the honeymoon stage wears off, the reality of the daily bump and grind sets in. Sadly, there are many couples who are technically married but practically two strangers living under the same roof. Return to your first love. Prayer: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases... Jeremiah 1 - Day 651 (link to reading)
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Summary (insight.org): The prophecies of Jeremiah offer us a unique insight into the mind and heart of one of God’s faithful servants. The book includes numerous personal statements of emotional engagement, painting Jeremiah not merely as a prophet brought on the scene to deliver God’s message but also as a red-blooded human being who felt compassion for his people, desired judgment for evildoers, and was concerned about his own safety as well. Significantly, the book of Jeremiah also provides us the clearest glimpse of the new covenant God intended to make with His people once Christ came to earth. This new covenant would be the means of restoration for God’s people, as He would put His law within them, writing it on hearts of flesh rather than on tablets of stone. Rather than fostering our relationship with God through a fixed location like a temple, He promised through Jeremiah that His people would know Him directly, a knowledge that comes through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31–34; see also Hebrews 8:6). Application: When God calls us to do His will, He will provide everything we need. Prayer: Lord, Thy will be done... |
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January 2024
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