Saturday, May 26, 2012
Who's Got The Power? - Jeremiah 10
Read Jeremiah 10
Growing up in America, I think we sometimes struggle with the concept of God vs. idols. In our minds an idol is an object, so when we read a passage like this it’s easy for us to focus in on the fact that idols are just made and don’t have power. That is true, but it isn’t really addressing the issue. Some of us might try and make it relevant for us. Maybe we think of sports as an idol, or surfing the net, or grades, or . . . fill in the blank. That may also be true, but it’s also not addressing the bigger issue. Some might realize that idols is a bigger issue, because maybe all of our extended families aren’t Christian and maybe some of them worship idols or have an altar in their house or work. Some of them might even burn paper money to ancestors. What’s really going on? How does our understanding of this help us to understand what God was saying to Israel through Jeremiah?
First off, let’s pick out some passages and look at them:
Jer.10:2 “or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.”
10: 5 “Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.”
10:6 “ [of God] your name is mighty in power”
10:12 “God made the earth by his power; . . .by his wisdom . . . by his understanding”
The things that Israel was doing in following the idols of other nations was about who had power. They must have believed that the sun, moon, and stars had actual powers and so they worshipped them, but this only brought them fear. They wanted to have power to influence their own lives by placating these idols. People feared these gods that they worshipped. That is why they even went so far as to burn their children alive as sacrifices to these idols. They actually believed this idol was a spirit. It’s not so different from burning money to ancestors if you also believe ancestors control fate. What God was saying through Jeremiah, was that these idols that they were turning away from him to worship, not only had no power, but that God is actually the one in control; and because of that we don’t need to have any fear. God is the one who has the power! Let’s take this idea out and apply it to us. What are our idols? Do we watch sports because they can influence our fate? Maybe, but probably not. Computer? Maybe, but maybe not. These can demonstrate wrong priorities in large quantities, but as for us fearing them and letting them rule over our lives and looking to them to determine our fate? Not completely likely. How about us? Do you feel like you need to have constant control over your life? What do you try and do to maintain control? How could that be an idol? What are you afraid of? I’m speaking more of insecurities and deep fears. What do you do to control or contain it? These are more likely the idols. As Jeremiah prays at the end of Chapter 10, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” God is there for the big things in life, and also for the everyday things. We don’t need to turn to idols or ourselves for this because he is in control, he has the power, and he loves us enough send Christ as our Savior. Let’s turn to him and continue to do it daily!
Dear God,
Help me to let you have all of me, every part of my life. Show me where I have trusted in myself or in other idols instead of turning to you. Take them Jesus, I willingly give you these areas of my life. Be the one who is always in control of me, and help me to turn to you for the important things and the small decisions so that all of what I live for reflects your glory. Amen.
Obedience and Covenants - Jeremiah 9
Read Jeremiah 9
God’s words ring throughout this chapter. In history past, He made a covenant with the people of Israel and now His people have gone astray. Verse 3 shows that the Lord is speaking in this chapter. The people are unfaithful and liars. (Vv 2-8) This is the opposite of the covenant that God had made with them. They were supposed to be a people of integrity and honesty but that has failed. In verse 9, God speaks of cutting the covenant. The destruction of the people will be complete. (Vv 10-11).
Jeremiah sets up the second section with a rhetorical question. He asks if there is someone who can understand what God is doing. God answers the question. He tells the people that even though He gave them the law, they did not follow or obey it. (Vv 12-13) The people continue to worship other gods, so God will exile His people. (Vv 13-16)
In verses 17-21, the wailing women are professional wailers who are part of Israel and the surround kingdoms’ culture. Their job is to wail, cry, and lament. There is no artificiality here even though they are professionals. What God is going to do to the people will give the mourners lots to cry about.
Verses 23-24 point to God. The Lord says that the people should not boast in their wisdom or strength but in their relationship with God, their covenant relationship with God. The second part of verse 24 talks about justice and righteousness and that God delights in those things. God delights in those things so He wants the people, who are in covenant with Him, to also exhibit those qualities in their lives.
Finally, in verses 25-26, God is calling all the nations to punishment. Circumcision was not only an Israelite custom but it can be found in other cultures too. Circumcision though had significance in Israelite culture, a sign of the covenant with God. In these verses, God is saying that the most important thing is not circumcision of the flesh but of the heart. In terms of a circumcised heart, the Israelites are the same as all the other kingdoms.
This leads us to ask the question, what does this passage say to us? Two thoughts for us to reflect on: First, how are we living our lives, in obedience to God or for ourselves? Secondly, we are in covenant with God, the new covenant (Jeremiah 34) brought on by Christ. As we examine ourselves, is the circumcision of our hearts bearing fruit the fruit of justice and righteousness in our lives as these things God delights in (V 24).
God’s words ring throughout this chapter. In history past, He made a covenant with the people of Israel and now His people have gone astray. Verse 3 shows that the Lord is speaking in this chapter. The people are unfaithful and liars. (Vv 2-8) This is the opposite of the covenant that God had made with them. They were supposed to be a people of integrity and honesty but that has failed. In verse 9, God speaks of cutting the covenant. The destruction of the people will be complete. (Vv 10-11).
Jeremiah sets up the second section with a rhetorical question. He asks if there is someone who can understand what God is doing. God answers the question. He tells the people that even though He gave them the law, they did not follow or obey it. (Vv 12-13) The people continue to worship other gods, so God will exile His people. (Vv 13-16)
In verses 17-21, the wailing women are professional wailers who are part of Israel and the surround kingdoms’ culture. Their job is to wail, cry, and lament. There is no artificiality here even though they are professionals. What God is going to do to the people will give the mourners lots to cry about.
Verses 23-24 point to God. The Lord says that the people should not boast in their wisdom or strength but in their relationship with God, their covenant relationship with God. The second part of verse 24 talks about justice and righteousness and that God delights in those things. God delights in those things so He wants the people, who are in covenant with Him, to also exhibit those qualities in their lives.
Finally, in verses 25-26, God is calling all the nations to punishment. Circumcision was not only an Israelite custom but it can be found in other cultures too. Circumcision though had significance in Israelite culture, a sign of the covenant with God. In these verses, God is saying that the most important thing is not circumcision of the flesh but of the heart. In terms of a circumcised heart, the Israelites are the same as all the other kingdoms.
This leads us to ask the question, what does this passage say to us? Two thoughts for us to reflect on: First, how are we living our lives, in obedience to God or for ourselves? Secondly, we are in covenant with God, the new covenant (Jeremiah 34) brought on by Christ. As we examine ourselves, is the circumcision of our hearts bearing fruit the fruit of justice and righteousness in our lives as these things God delights in (V 24).
Listening - Jeremiah 8
Read Jeremiah 8
There have been so many times when I have disregarded someone’s suggestion, advice, or guidance and have had to feel the effects of the consequences of those actions. One time in middle school, it was when I shrugged off the words of my parents and brother. I had a group of new friends that I had just gotten to know, and I was spending increasingly more and more time with them. Soon enough, I was spending more time with them than I was with my family. Not only that, they were being a bad influence on my character and habits.
I can tell you that my family was not a big fan of that. So they continually told me that I should spend more time with them and that these friends of mine were being a bad influence on me. Back then, I thought I was too cool for them so of course I didn’t listen to them. Eventually, I shunned my family and did my own thing.
As a couple months passed, things started to go bad. The situation with my parents and friends began to worsen. I remember getting into a ton of verbal arguments with my mom and dad. Also, drama began to tear my group of friends apart. Basically, it was a miserable time in my life.
What does my personal story have to do with Jeremiah eight? In a nutshell, this chapter summarizes the situation that Israel is in. The Israelites have been unfaithful and unrepentant despite the Lord’s continual requests for them to repent. This chapter describes the sins that the people of Israel have committed and it also begins to show the grieving heart of Jeremiah for them. And because of their sin, they are being punished.
Re-read Jeremiah 8
When we see the sin and the unrepentant nature of Israel here, we want to tell them to follow the Lord because their stupidity will bring God’s judgment upon them. And even though we may not be Israelites or soon to be facing the judgment of God, we have to take the message found in the passage to heart.
The message is to listen. We must listen to what God is trying to say to us, whether directly through the working of the Holy Spirit, His Word, and prayer or indirectly through our pastors, leaders, and Christian friends. Sometimes we may be too calloused and blind to see the bright green GO sign or flashing red STOP sign. In the case of the Israelites, it was to listen to the message of repentance. For me, it was the message of respecting the decisions and guidance of my parents and brother. What is God trying to tell you, but you’re not taking the time to listen?
What Is Clear Is Not Easy - Jeremiah 7
Take a moment to prepare your heart for God’s word and how you can deepen your relationship in this time apart from everyday’s business.
Read Jeremiah 7 and focus on how much God wants us to come to him and how he is calling us to live.
Reread verses 1-7. God clearly states what we have to do to be able to dwell in the Lord’s place and to have a relationship with him. He calls Jeremiah to “stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word…Amend your ways and your deeds and I will let you dwell in this place.” It is a repeated message throughout the bible, and in Jeremiah. God lays it out before his people on how God desires for them to live; it seems so clear as to what they should do and where their hearts should be, but repeatedly they turn away from God. From the outside looking in, their actions seem so dumb and many times we won’t understand why they continuously turn away from the Lord. Take a moment to examine your life. God has made it clear to us that he desires a relationship with us, God says to us in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What are you choosing to spend your days doing and are you drawing nearer or farther away from God?
In verses 8-15, the Lord emphasizes how he has persistently called for his people, but they did not come and have lived apart from the Lord. This chapter continues to describe how the Lord is displeased with how the people who have ignored his calls will receive his anger and wrath. He recognizes that they are living apart from him and will let the world know that, “my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.”
Again, in verses 16 to 29, God emphasizes how clear he has made it for the people as to how they should live, and how consistently they turn away from him. In verse 23, “But this command I gave them: ‘obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’” It doesn’t get much simpler than that. The Lord will let out his wrath against these people, “for the Lord has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.” To be forsaken from the Lord is a frightening thought. When the things of this world are temporary, and what is eternal in Jesus leaves you, there is not much else.
In the last part of this chapter, the Lord continues on how the sons of Judah will be punished. Having a relationship with God and truly living after him is not about avoiding his wrath and anger though. It is not just about obeying God so that one-day we won’t be forsaken from the Lord or has to receive an outpouring of his anger and wrath. There is so much good that comes out of following Jesus and just the opportunity to be reborn again and to have eternal life with him is something that many of us need to be reminded of. Reflect on this passage and on what God is saying to you with this passage.
Read Jeremiah 7 and focus on how much God wants us to come to him and how he is calling us to live.
Reread verses 1-7. God clearly states what we have to do to be able to dwell in the Lord’s place and to have a relationship with him. He calls Jeremiah to “stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word…Amend your ways and your deeds and I will let you dwell in this place.” It is a repeated message throughout the bible, and in Jeremiah. God lays it out before his people on how God desires for them to live; it seems so clear as to what they should do and where their hearts should be, but repeatedly they turn away from God. From the outside looking in, their actions seem so dumb and many times we won’t understand why they continuously turn away from the Lord. Take a moment to examine your life. God has made it clear to us that he desires a relationship with us, God says to us in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What are you choosing to spend your days doing and are you drawing nearer or farther away from God?
In verses 8-15, the Lord emphasizes how he has persistently called for his people, but they did not come and have lived apart from the Lord. This chapter continues to describe how the Lord is displeased with how the people who have ignored his calls will receive his anger and wrath. He recognizes that they are living apart from him and will let the world know that, “my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.”
Again, in verses 16 to 29, God emphasizes how clear he has made it for the people as to how they should live, and how consistently they turn away from him. In verse 23, “But this command I gave them: ‘obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’” It doesn’t get much simpler than that. The Lord will let out his wrath against these people, “for the Lord has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.” To be forsaken from the Lord is a frightening thought. When the things of this world are temporary, and what is eternal in Jesus leaves you, there is not much else.
In the last part of this chapter, the Lord continues on how the sons of Judah will be punished. Having a relationship with God and truly living after him is not about avoiding his wrath and anger though. It is not just about obeying God so that one-day we won’t be forsaken from the Lord or has to receive an outpouring of his anger and wrath. There is so much good that comes out of following Jesus and just the opportunity to be reborn again and to have eternal life with him is something that many of us need to be reminded of. Reflect on this passage and on what God is saying to you with this passage.
Impending Disaster - Jeremiah 6
Jeremiah 6 addresses an impending disaster for Jerusalem for her disobedience and rebellion against God. Before we turn to Chapter 6, ask the Holy Spirit now to reveal God’s word and speak to you. After you’ve prepared your heart, read Jeremiah 6.
Vv 1-8: The Prophet Jeremiah sounds an alarm that a disastrous invasion will fall upon Jerusalem and Judah. At this time there was actually peace and security in the city and country; the people had no apprehension of danger. So why was Jeremiah warning them to flee? Because after hundreds of years of disobedience to the Lord, God was bringing judgment on His people through an attack from the Babylonians. And God was gracious enough to forewarn them through Jeremiah! The people of Judah brought upon themselves the judgment of God by their own wickedness, for they were violent, oppressive, evil, and destructive (vv. 6&7). Our God is slow to anger and quick to forgive, but He is a just God and He must punish sin (Exodus 34: 6-7).
Vv. 9-15: Sin is serious and the wrath of God is real. Do we live in such a way that reveres God or do we fall deaf to His instructions like the people of Judah? They despised the word of the Lord as “an object of scorn” and took “no pleasure in it” (v. 10). They saw no need for the word of the Lord in their lives. Is that true of us?
This section of Chapter 6 also sheds light on people who deal falsely with sin, including leaders and popular personalities of the day. We see that in our times too—spiritual gurus who tell us that we can find peace within ourselves or authority figures who say that there is no absolute Truth and that everything is relative and that “sin” is too offensive of a term. The Lord promises that these individuals will be punished and they will fall (v. 15).
Vv. 16-26: It is interesting to note that this very people of Judah found to be disobedient and offensive by the Lord Himself were people who brought Him burnt offerings and sacrifices. That is equivalent to us attending church, serving in ministry settings, or being religious in our various behaviors. The Lord takes no delight in outward appearances (v. 20). He cares about our hearts. We may be great performing Christians on the outside yet still be incurring the judgment of God with our prideful, violent, self-sufficient hearts.
How do we escape the wrath of God? It is really no use to physically remove ourselves from one city under attack to another hoping to avoid destruction. The only right way to respond is with a repentant heart: to mourn over sin with such sorrow and grief that it is like losing “an only son” (v. 26). What does that look like for you? Ask God to lead you into a period of repentance for your sins.
Vv. 27-30: God is gracious and merciful and gives us many second chances. He refines us of our impurities through His word and Holy Spirit. But to blatantly keep on sinning is to risk turning God’s refining fire of His mercy into a consuming fire of His wrath (v.29).
Vv 1-8: The Prophet Jeremiah sounds an alarm that a disastrous invasion will fall upon Jerusalem and Judah. At this time there was actually peace and security in the city and country; the people had no apprehension of danger. So why was Jeremiah warning them to flee? Because after hundreds of years of disobedience to the Lord, God was bringing judgment on His people through an attack from the Babylonians. And God was gracious enough to forewarn them through Jeremiah! The people of Judah brought upon themselves the judgment of God by their own wickedness, for they were violent, oppressive, evil, and destructive (vv. 6&7). Our God is slow to anger and quick to forgive, but He is a just God and He must punish sin (Exodus 34: 6-7).
Vv. 9-15: Sin is serious and the wrath of God is real. Do we live in such a way that reveres God or do we fall deaf to His instructions like the people of Judah? They despised the word of the Lord as “an object of scorn” and took “no pleasure in it” (v. 10). They saw no need for the word of the Lord in their lives. Is that true of us?
This section of Chapter 6 also sheds light on people who deal falsely with sin, including leaders and popular personalities of the day. We see that in our times too—spiritual gurus who tell us that we can find peace within ourselves or authority figures who say that there is no absolute Truth and that everything is relative and that “sin” is too offensive of a term. The Lord promises that these individuals will be punished and they will fall (v. 15).
Vv. 16-26: It is interesting to note that this very people of Judah found to be disobedient and offensive by the Lord Himself were people who brought Him burnt offerings and sacrifices. That is equivalent to us attending church, serving in ministry settings, or being religious in our various behaviors. The Lord takes no delight in outward appearances (v. 20). He cares about our hearts. We may be great performing Christians on the outside yet still be incurring the judgment of God with our prideful, violent, self-sufficient hearts.
How do we escape the wrath of God? It is really no use to physically remove ourselves from one city under attack to another hoping to avoid destruction. The only right way to respond is with a repentant heart: to mourn over sin with such sorrow and grief that it is like losing “an only son” (v. 26). What does that look like for you? Ask God to lead you into a period of repentance for your sins.
Vv. 27-30: God is gracious and merciful and gives us many second chances. He refines us of our impurities through His word and Holy Spirit. But to blatantly keep on sinning is to risk turning God’s refining fire of His mercy into a consuming fire of His wrath (v.29).
Friday, May 11, 2012
Chaos in Israel - Jeremiah 5
Chaos in Israel
Before you start, take time to focus yourself. Take some deep breaths. Quiet the distractions. Don’t let anything disrupt this time. Prepare to hear and learn from God. Ask Him to teach you through his living Word.
Once you’ve done that, read Jeremiah 5
This chapter starts by telling us how sinful Jerusalem has been. Not one of them can be found sinless (verse 1), and they speak hypocrisy (verse 2). Everyone is caught in sin: rich or poor, Jew or Gentile. Jeremiah tells us that the poor do not know the ways of the Lord and they are ignorant of God (verse 4), and so they sin. He also says that the rich are taking their prosperity for granted and committing adultery (verse 7-8). Neither group of people has an excuse for their sin. Although the poor don’t know any better, they are still found guilty in the eyes of God. Romans 1:20 tells us that God’s qualities and all of creation and clearly visible and evidence for God, so men are without excuse. Because God’s existence is made clear to the world, there is no excuse for sin. The rich have no excuse for their sin either. They are well off, high on the social ladder, and living prosperous lives, but that does not justify their sin. Do you make excuses for your sin? It’s easy to try and make our sin seem less ugly and dirty than it is: “it was just a small lie”, “it’s only one homework assignment that I just forgot to do”, or “it’s only one swear, and it’s not even that bad of a swear”. We can try and make our sin seem like its not so bad or tell, but in the eyes of God, sin is sin no matter how big or small. Any sin separates us from God, and we cannot hide any sin from God. All over the Bible, God tells us to own up to our sin and repent in order to receive forgiveness. Because of what Jesus did on the Cross, we don’t have to hide our sin or make excuses for it; we can openly confess and be forgiven knowing that we are saved.
Everything is whack in Jerusalem: they take God’s wrath too lightly (verse 12), they doubt God (verse 19), they are blinded (verse 21), and they do not fear God (verses 22, 24). The people are stubborn, arrogant, and full of sin (verses 23, 25-28). In the ESV, Jerusalem is described as “appalling and horrible” (verse 30). All of this mayhem is happening, but why doesn’t God strike them all down like he did in the story of Noah? He can’t use a flood anymore, but he could definitely use some other method to kill all of mankind. It says in verse 15 that God will bring judgment on Israel and allow a foreign nation to invade them because of their sin. It seems just given what the people are doing, but God displays his mercy. In verse 18 (ESV), it says, “but even in those days, declares the Lord, I will not make a full end of you”. Even though Israel is so messed up and the people are focusing on everything but God, God is still merciful to them. We are no better than Israel; we are sinful and in need of God the same. We deserve punishment and wrath that none of us can even comprehend, but our God is a merciful and forgiving God. I don’t know about you, but that just makes me so much more thankful and in awe of God. He could smite all of humanity easily with justification, but he loves us and chooses to be merciful.
What does God want you to learn today? Do you need to repent of any unconfessed sin and come clean with God? Do you need to stop taking God’s mercy and forgiveness for granted even though we are all deserving of God’s wrath? Take this time to pray and allow the message to soak. Let the Holy Spirit move in you, challenge you, and teach you.
Before you start, take time to focus yourself. Take some deep breaths. Quiet the distractions. Don’t let anything disrupt this time. Prepare to hear and learn from God. Ask Him to teach you through his living Word.
Once you’ve done that, read Jeremiah 5
This chapter starts by telling us how sinful Jerusalem has been. Not one of them can be found sinless (verse 1), and they speak hypocrisy (verse 2). Everyone is caught in sin: rich or poor, Jew or Gentile. Jeremiah tells us that the poor do not know the ways of the Lord and they are ignorant of God (verse 4), and so they sin. He also says that the rich are taking their prosperity for granted and committing adultery (verse 7-8). Neither group of people has an excuse for their sin. Although the poor don’t know any better, they are still found guilty in the eyes of God. Romans 1:20 tells us that God’s qualities and all of creation and clearly visible and evidence for God, so men are without excuse. Because God’s existence is made clear to the world, there is no excuse for sin. The rich have no excuse for their sin either. They are well off, high on the social ladder, and living prosperous lives, but that does not justify their sin. Do you make excuses for your sin? It’s easy to try and make our sin seem less ugly and dirty than it is: “it was just a small lie”, “it’s only one homework assignment that I just forgot to do”, or “it’s only one swear, and it’s not even that bad of a swear”. We can try and make our sin seem like its not so bad or tell, but in the eyes of God, sin is sin no matter how big or small. Any sin separates us from God, and we cannot hide any sin from God. All over the Bible, God tells us to own up to our sin and repent in order to receive forgiveness. Because of what Jesus did on the Cross, we don’t have to hide our sin or make excuses for it; we can openly confess and be forgiven knowing that we are saved.
Everything is whack in Jerusalem: they take God’s wrath too lightly (verse 12), they doubt God (verse 19), they are blinded (verse 21), and they do not fear God (verses 22, 24). The people are stubborn, arrogant, and full of sin (verses 23, 25-28). In the ESV, Jerusalem is described as “appalling and horrible” (verse 30). All of this mayhem is happening, but why doesn’t God strike them all down like he did in the story of Noah? He can’t use a flood anymore, but he could definitely use some other method to kill all of mankind. It says in verse 15 that God will bring judgment on Israel and allow a foreign nation to invade them because of their sin. It seems just given what the people are doing, but God displays his mercy. In verse 18 (ESV), it says, “but even in those days, declares the Lord, I will not make a full end of you”. Even though Israel is so messed up and the people are focusing on everything but God, God is still merciful to them. We are no better than Israel; we are sinful and in need of God the same. We deserve punishment and wrath that none of us can even comprehend, but our God is a merciful and forgiving God. I don’t know about you, but that just makes me so much more thankful and in awe of God. He could smite all of humanity easily with justification, but he loves us and chooses to be merciful.
What does God want you to learn today? Do you need to repent of any unconfessed sin and come clean with God? Do you need to stop taking God’s mercy and forgiveness for granted even though we are all deserving of God’s wrath? Take this time to pray and allow the message to soak. Let the Holy Spirit move in you, challenge you, and teach you.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
In the Times of Struggle - Jeremiah 4
In The Times Of Struggle
Take a moment to prepare your hearts for God’s word.
Now read Jeremiah chapter 4 while keeping in mind God’s judgment and just how much he longs to have an intimate relationship with us.
In the first few verses, up to verse 4, a call is made for change otherwise there will be great destruction. God says to Judah and Jerusalem to root themselves in the Lord. They are called to “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (verse 3). Even though the conditions aren’t ideal for God’s word to be established in their lives, it is still what they are called to do and they are being reminded that they should not wait for ideal conditions to build a relationship with God. Verse 4 continues to describe how the men of Judah and Jerusalem should live; they are to be active in changing their lives. Although Deuteronomy 30:6 says “The Lord they God will circumcise thy heart,” we need the mindset of longing to change our lives and to devote them to God.
Take a moment and meditate on how God is calling you to change your life, specifically, what is God challenging you to throw away, and how can you let God fill that space?
Now reread verse 5 to 18. In these verses, the coming disaster and judgment is described. The people are warned to take safety, even though there is no real place where God’s judgment cannot reach. I personally take these verses as a challenge to not lose hope in times when God’s grace and love seem to go extinct. There will be troubled times in our lives, and times where we will have to go through great struggles, but God has a great plan for us and greater things are yet to come. Meditate on these questions, what are some of the times of struggle recently that you have had to or are going through? How can you grow in your relationship with God because of those times?
The relationship that we have with God goes two ways however, he wants us to express everything to him and he will respond. Reread verses 19 to 22 and focus on the motivation behind what Jeremiah is saying. The people are expressing their grief, and are crying out to God. And God responds by reminding them that their nation will not be ended despite the intense punishment that God let happen to them, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet will I not make a full end” (verse 27). He still cares deeply for his people. In the last verses of this chapter, Jeremiah describes how helpless Judah is; however, they are reminded that God has a great plan for them. During this time of God just letting loose on Judah, the people do not just give up. They cry out to God, and they are reminded that God is working in their lives and that they are not alone.
Now take a moment and meditate on the message of this chapter. Reread if it helps. What parts apply to your life and how can you grow in your walk with God?
Take a moment to prepare your hearts for God’s word.
Now read Jeremiah chapter 4 while keeping in mind God’s judgment and just how much he longs to have an intimate relationship with us.
In the first few verses, up to verse 4, a call is made for change otherwise there will be great destruction. God says to Judah and Jerusalem to root themselves in the Lord. They are called to “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (verse 3). Even though the conditions aren’t ideal for God’s word to be established in their lives, it is still what they are called to do and they are being reminded that they should not wait for ideal conditions to build a relationship with God. Verse 4 continues to describe how the men of Judah and Jerusalem should live; they are to be active in changing their lives. Although Deuteronomy 30:6 says “The Lord they God will circumcise thy heart,” we need the mindset of longing to change our lives and to devote them to God.
Take a moment and meditate on how God is calling you to change your life, specifically, what is God challenging you to throw away, and how can you let God fill that space?
Now reread verse 5 to 18. In these verses, the coming disaster and judgment is described. The people are warned to take safety, even though there is no real place where God’s judgment cannot reach. I personally take these verses as a challenge to not lose hope in times when God’s grace and love seem to go extinct. There will be troubled times in our lives, and times where we will have to go through great struggles, but God has a great plan for us and greater things are yet to come. Meditate on these questions, what are some of the times of struggle recently that you have had to or are going through? How can you grow in your relationship with God because of those times?
The relationship that we have with God goes two ways however, he wants us to express everything to him and he will respond. Reread verses 19 to 22 and focus on the motivation behind what Jeremiah is saying. The people are expressing their grief, and are crying out to God. And God responds by reminding them that their nation will not be ended despite the intense punishment that God let happen to them, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet will I not make a full end” (verse 27). He still cares deeply for his people. In the last verses of this chapter, Jeremiah describes how helpless Judah is; however, they are reminded that God has a great plan for them. During this time of God just letting loose on Judah, the people do not just give up. They cry out to God, and they are reminded that God is working in their lives and that they are not alone.
Now take a moment and meditate on the message of this chapter. Reread if it helps. What parts apply to your life and how can you grow in your walk with God?
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
How He Loves - Jeremiah 3
How he loves
Read Jeremiah 3
I’m sure that during our lifetime we’ve repeatedly done something to upset our parents. We’ve all done it, if it’s not doing our homework or talking back to our parents. There might even be times where we feel like we’ve really messed up and they don’t love us anymore.
This is a similar story to the relationship between God and his people of Israel. They’ve sinned against God so many times that God wanted to divorce the people of Israel. This of course is not how the story ends. At the end of the day God loves us so much still. He loves us so much that he completely forgives us. He invites us to come back to him with open arms. All we need to do is “acknowledge (our) guilt.” He wants to treat us like his children, and bless us with pleasant land. He wants to be with us and bless us. Even though we are so disobedient and sinful God just wants to love us!
“We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way... He loves us….“
David Crowder Band
-Reflect on where we are disobedient, and ask God to forgive us.
-Mediate on the God’s love and grace for us.
Read Jeremiah 3
I’m sure that during our lifetime we’ve repeatedly done something to upset our parents. We’ve all done it, if it’s not doing our homework or talking back to our parents. There might even be times where we feel like we’ve really messed up and they don’t love us anymore.
This is a similar story to the relationship between God and his people of Israel. They’ve sinned against God so many times that God wanted to divorce the people of Israel. This of course is not how the story ends. At the end of the day God loves us so much still. He loves us so much that he completely forgives us. He invites us to come back to him with open arms. All we need to do is “acknowledge (our) guilt.” He wants to treat us like his children, and bless us with pleasant land. He wants to be with us and bless us. Even though we are so disobedient and sinful God just wants to love us!
“We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way... He loves us….“
David Crowder Band
-Reflect on where we are disobedient, and ask God to forgive us.
-Mediate on the God’s love and grace for us.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Worshipping Mammon - Jeremiah 2
Worshipping Mammon
Note: All names and places, except Peter Huang and Pastor Ben’s, are made-up.
Read: Jeremiah 2
My first year of serving at WCAC YG was 2002 – oh wow, that was 10 years ago. Freaky. Anyways, in the Doulos team was a young junior whose name is Edgar. I remembered Edgar as a fiercely devoted follower of Christ and quite mature for his age, frankly speaking. In fact, during the Spring of 2003, Pastor Ben invited him to teach junior high Sunday school class. Peter Huang, the harp maestro of Chambana and WCAC YG alumnus, was in that class. He, too, had fond memories of Edgar teaching. Edgar’s family moved to Raleigh, NC for his senior year. He was, and remains, a brilliant man. He graduated in the top 5% of his class at Duke, proceeded to attend Duke Law School, and now is a public attorney for the government. Unfortunately, in the course of his pursuit for success, he lost his faith. Just a few years ago, at the LIFE Conference, the group managed to meet up with Edgar and some were quite disappointed to see how far away from the faith he has drifted. I remember Peter Huang telling me, “Henry, I can’t believe that someone who used to teach us Sunday school can fall away from the faith!” Edgar was, of course, not the only WCAC YG alumnus to drift away from the faith; no doubt some of you may have other names in mind.
So consider the situation when YHWH, the God of Israel, appeared before Jeremiah. The prophet Jeremiah lived in a time of relative prosperity for Israel. This is not surprising. To trace the root of the problem, we need to look at the reign of King Manasseh of Judah (reign ~ 687 – 642 BC). At the time, Judah was a vassal state of Assyria; it was given independent rule because it served the interests of the Assyrian superpower. Archaeologists and ancient Near Eastern historians, based on data found in Nineveh, discovered that Judah was the source of many resources needed by the Assyrians. This meant that Judah grew in prosperity. In an effort to make Judah more marketable to the Assyrian market, Manasseh encouraged Ba’al worship. Even though he eventually repented and rolled back his program of Ba’al worship, the damage had been done. The reforms of King Josiah, Manasseh’s grandson, while approved by God, did not stem the tide of faithlessness.
Enter Jeremiah. Picture the wealth of Wall Street or Michigan Avenue, with all its glittering lights and resplendent wealth. Maybe even picture downtown Naperville, with its idyllic Riverwalk, the Five Guys and Jamba Juice, and the obvious clock tower. And then picture some old guy talking about how God will judge America and how everyone will suffer and be punished. I guarantee you that the police will take him away. Such was the suffering Jeremiah had to endure. In fact, his calling was anything but glamorous. Jeremiah tepidly accepted his calling after God’s exhortation, and after being harassed by the people, God’s only reassurance was, It’ll only get worse. What a calling!
What did Jeremiah preach to earn him the ire of the people? Well, the word of YHWH ain’t pretty. God begins nicely (v. 2-3): When Israel was young she was obedient and followed God through the desert of Sinai to the Promised Land. Now – keep in mind that Israel did sin (cf. Golden Calf), but God in his great mercy did not even bring that great sin up! What a gracious God we worship! But then, things turn south. In verse 7, God essentially scolds the Judeans: I brought you to a great land and all you do is trash it! Instead of following Me, you follow Ba’al! And this “I gave you the best, and you ruined it all!” pattern continues for several verses. Can you imagine how God must’ve felt? This is not the voice of anger, but the voice of utter sadness, the same sadness your parents showed you when they were terribly disappointed in you. It is the same voice we might use for Edgar; you used to be faithful, so ardent in your faith. What happened? Why did you give up Christ?
What was the sin that God accused the Judeans of committing? They gave themselves over to the worship of Ba’al, the ancient Near Eastern god of strength and fertility. Ba’al was a very popular god as he promised financial security in various forms, from agricultural wealth (a very good harvest) to having many wives and children (social security in old age) to strength so that one can defend one’s borders (national security). In today’s context, the equivalent of Ba’al would be money, success, status, power, etc. Jesus was not saying anything particularly new in Matt. 6:24 when he warns that “you cannot serve both God and money.” Little wonder the Judeans hated Jeremiah. Everyone’s doing just fine, making money, and living their lives peacefully. Why do we need this rabble-rouser to come along and talk about how we have disobeyed God, blah-blah? Furthermore, Jeremiah’s message was the last thing anyone wanted to hear – you are wealthy now, but God is going to take it all away! Nobody wanted to listen to that!
But the truth is that the Israelites, by worshipping Ba’al, worship something that was literally “here today and gone tomorrow.” Even today, we still have little idea of what exactly Ba’al was like. Success, like Ba’al, is here today and gone tomorrow. The trouble is that success is very enticing, and always promises to bring eternal health, wealth, and happiness. It never does. That is why it is important for all of us in our relative youths to take seriously our God who is everlasting, who loves us and desires for us always love Him as He loved us. That is also why it is important for us to remember that success is always here today and gone tomorrow. As Jeremiah had prophesied, Israel’s wealth and culture were almost wiped out as the Babylonians invaded and carted off the best and brightest to Babylon. Since then Israel would never regain its former glory. Let this be an important lesson for us to remember.
Note: All names and places, except Peter Huang and Pastor Ben’s, are made-up.
Read: Jeremiah 2
My first year of serving at WCAC YG was 2002 – oh wow, that was 10 years ago. Freaky. Anyways, in the Doulos team was a young junior whose name is Edgar. I remembered Edgar as a fiercely devoted follower of Christ and quite mature for his age, frankly speaking. In fact, during the Spring of 2003, Pastor Ben invited him to teach junior high Sunday school class. Peter Huang, the harp maestro of Chambana and WCAC YG alumnus, was in that class. He, too, had fond memories of Edgar teaching. Edgar’s family moved to Raleigh, NC for his senior year. He was, and remains, a brilliant man. He graduated in the top 5% of his class at Duke, proceeded to attend Duke Law School, and now is a public attorney for the government. Unfortunately, in the course of his pursuit for success, he lost his faith. Just a few years ago, at the LIFE Conference, the group managed to meet up with Edgar and some were quite disappointed to see how far away from the faith he has drifted. I remember Peter Huang telling me, “Henry, I can’t believe that someone who used to teach us Sunday school can fall away from the faith!” Edgar was, of course, not the only WCAC YG alumnus to drift away from the faith; no doubt some of you may have other names in mind.
So consider the situation when YHWH, the God of Israel, appeared before Jeremiah. The prophet Jeremiah lived in a time of relative prosperity for Israel. This is not surprising. To trace the root of the problem, we need to look at the reign of King Manasseh of Judah (reign ~ 687 – 642 BC). At the time, Judah was a vassal state of Assyria; it was given independent rule because it served the interests of the Assyrian superpower. Archaeologists and ancient Near Eastern historians, based on data found in Nineveh, discovered that Judah was the source of many resources needed by the Assyrians. This meant that Judah grew in prosperity. In an effort to make Judah more marketable to the Assyrian market, Manasseh encouraged Ba’al worship. Even though he eventually repented and rolled back his program of Ba’al worship, the damage had been done. The reforms of King Josiah, Manasseh’s grandson, while approved by God, did not stem the tide of faithlessness.
Enter Jeremiah. Picture the wealth of Wall Street or Michigan Avenue, with all its glittering lights and resplendent wealth. Maybe even picture downtown Naperville, with its idyllic Riverwalk, the Five Guys and Jamba Juice, and the obvious clock tower. And then picture some old guy talking about how God will judge America and how everyone will suffer and be punished. I guarantee you that the police will take him away. Such was the suffering Jeremiah had to endure. In fact, his calling was anything but glamorous. Jeremiah tepidly accepted his calling after God’s exhortation, and after being harassed by the people, God’s only reassurance was, It’ll only get worse. What a calling!
What did Jeremiah preach to earn him the ire of the people? Well, the word of YHWH ain’t pretty. God begins nicely (v. 2-3): When Israel was young she was obedient and followed God through the desert of Sinai to the Promised Land. Now – keep in mind that Israel did sin (cf. Golden Calf), but God in his great mercy did not even bring that great sin up! What a gracious God we worship! But then, things turn south. In verse 7, God essentially scolds the Judeans: I brought you to a great land and all you do is trash it! Instead of following Me, you follow Ba’al! And this “I gave you the best, and you ruined it all!” pattern continues for several verses. Can you imagine how God must’ve felt? This is not the voice of anger, but the voice of utter sadness, the same sadness your parents showed you when they were terribly disappointed in you. It is the same voice we might use for Edgar; you used to be faithful, so ardent in your faith. What happened? Why did you give up Christ?
What was the sin that God accused the Judeans of committing? They gave themselves over to the worship of Ba’al, the ancient Near Eastern god of strength and fertility. Ba’al was a very popular god as he promised financial security in various forms, from agricultural wealth (a very good harvest) to having many wives and children (social security in old age) to strength so that one can defend one’s borders (national security). In today’s context, the equivalent of Ba’al would be money, success, status, power, etc. Jesus was not saying anything particularly new in Matt. 6:24 when he warns that “you cannot serve both God and money.” Little wonder the Judeans hated Jeremiah. Everyone’s doing just fine, making money, and living their lives peacefully. Why do we need this rabble-rouser to come along and talk about how we have disobeyed God, blah-blah? Furthermore, Jeremiah’s message was the last thing anyone wanted to hear – you are wealthy now, but God is going to take it all away! Nobody wanted to listen to that!
But the truth is that the Israelites, by worshipping Ba’al, worship something that was literally “here today and gone tomorrow.” Even today, we still have little idea of what exactly Ba’al was like. Success, like Ba’al, is here today and gone tomorrow. The trouble is that success is very enticing, and always promises to bring eternal health, wealth, and happiness. It never does. That is why it is important for all of us in our relative youths to take seriously our God who is everlasting, who loves us and desires for us always love Him as He loved us. That is also why it is important for us to remember that success is always here today and gone tomorrow. As Jeremiah had prophesied, Israel’s wealth and culture were almost wiped out as the Babylonians invaded and carted off the best and brightest to Babylon. Since then Israel would never regain its former glory. Let this be an important lesson for us to remember.
Monday, May 7, 2012
A Prophet to the Nations - Jeremiah 1
A Prophet to the Nations
Jeremiah 1
We are starting a new devo series through the book of Jeremiah. As we begin our journey through this prophet's writings, there's two things I'd encourage you to do: pray and ask God to speak to you as you study the book of Jeremiah and then read through Jeremiah as a whole (as much as you can in one sitting)
We are being introduced to the prophet Jeremiah who was a priest (a religious leader) even before God called him to be a prophet (one who speaks on behalf of God) His ministry spanned several years and various kings, addressing various situations in Judah before their captivity. But here in chapter 1, we are introduced to Jeremiah himself.
Read Jeremiah 1 twice through. The first time, write down anything that God puts on your mind as you read. The second time, write down what God is telling Jeremiah about Jeremiah.
What an amazing exchange between God and Jeremiah! God tells Jeremiah [my paraphrase], "I knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb, before you were born I set you apart and made you to be my spokesperson to the world." There is intimacy and purpose in God's design for Jeremiah. How do you think Jeremiah felt when he heard that?
I think back to how God calls flawed and unlikely people for his Kingdom purposes. Men like Moses and Gideon and even Jeremiah were a little flustered, a little fearful when God called them. Jeremiah responds in that fear, saying "I don't know what to say, and i'm too young!" But again, God reassures Him. God addresses each of Jeremiah's fears specifically.
When Jeremiah says, "I am only a youth," God responds, "I am with you...My presence is upon you, not only did I know you and set you apart, but I'm with you. You're not alone."
When Jeremiah says "I do not know how to speak," God responds "I have put my words in your mouth...you speak with My authority."
God is speaking to Jeremiah in an incredible way. Right from the start, He tells Jeremiah three things to remind Jeremiah of who he was made to be. God's purpose. God's presence. God's authority. Jeremiah's ministry and calling is rooted in those three things. This is how the book of Jeremiah starts. Anyone reading this cannot deny that whatever comes in the next 51 chapters is being said by God through His servant Jeremiah. He was made to be "a prophet to the nations."
So what then for us? Jeremiah's not all that different from us. He's young and God called him to do something. God is calling us to take part in His kingdom work. In the midst of whatever is keeping us from doing that, God wants to remind you of His purpose, His presence, and His authority in your life.
Jeremiah 1
We are starting a new devo series through the book of Jeremiah. As we begin our journey through this prophet's writings, there's two things I'd encourage you to do: pray and ask God to speak to you as you study the book of Jeremiah and then read through Jeremiah as a whole (as much as you can in one sitting)
We are being introduced to the prophet Jeremiah who was a priest (a religious leader) even before God called him to be a prophet (one who speaks on behalf of God) His ministry spanned several years and various kings, addressing various situations in Judah before their captivity. But here in chapter 1, we are introduced to Jeremiah himself.
Read Jeremiah 1 twice through. The first time, write down anything that God puts on your mind as you read. The second time, write down what God is telling Jeremiah about Jeremiah.
What an amazing exchange between God and Jeremiah! God tells Jeremiah [my paraphrase], "I knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb, before you were born I set you apart and made you to be my spokesperson to the world." There is intimacy and purpose in God's design for Jeremiah. How do you think Jeremiah felt when he heard that?
I think back to how God calls flawed and unlikely people for his Kingdom purposes. Men like Moses and Gideon and even Jeremiah were a little flustered, a little fearful when God called them. Jeremiah responds in that fear, saying "I don't know what to say, and i'm too young!" But again, God reassures Him. God addresses each of Jeremiah's fears specifically.
When Jeremiah says, "I am only a youth," God responds, "I am with you...My presence is upon you, not only did I know you and set you apart, but I'm with you. You're not alone."
When Jeremiah says "I do not know how to speak," God responds "I have put my words in your mouth...you speak with My authority."
God is speaking to Jeremiah in an incredible way. Right from the start, He tells Jeremiah three things to remind Jeremiah of who he was made to be. God's purpose. God's presence. God's authority. Jeremiah's ministry and calling is rooted in those three things. This is how the book of Jeremiah starts. Anyone reading this cannot deny that whatever comes in the next 51 chapters is being said by God through His servant Jeremiah. He was made to be "a prophet to the nations."
So what then for us? Jeremiah's not all that different from us. He's young and God called him to do something. God is calling us to take part in His kingdom work. In the midst of whatever is keeping us from doing that, God wants to remind you of His purpose, His presence, and His authority in your life.
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