No other gods

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 16:1-21, 17:1-27, 18:1-23, 25:1-19

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, 'Why has the Lord decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to deserve such treatment? What is our sin against the Lord our God?' Then you will give them the Lord's reply: 'It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word. And you are even worse than your ancestors!"  Jeremiah 16:10-12a

The scripture today was hard to read.  It is so sad to hear how truly hurt God was by his people.  At one point, he said "my anger blazes like a fire that will burn forever".  That is harsh.  But, we have to realize that it had taken a long time to reach this point.  God had given them second chances and even more chances to repent and obey him.  But, they still refused.  I am torn in my feelings towards Jeremiah, too.  Part of me looks at him as such a blessed man since the Lord spoke to him and used him to prophesy.  The other part of me feels so sorry for him because of what he has to go through in telling the people what God has said.  How would I have handled this is I were in Jeremiah's shoes?

My response to God: Heavenly Father, speak to my heart and let me hear you like Jeremiah did.  Let me be your follower who listens and obeys.  Forgive me, Lord, for all the things I have made like other gods in my life.  Keep your holy spirit within me to guide me away from all of those things.

Compassionate God

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 12:1-17, 13:1-27, 14:1-22, 15:1-21

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying 'As surely as the Lord lives' (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people." Jeremiah 12:16

This was a message for Israel's neighbors assuring them of God's compassion.  If these nations are willing to turn to the one true God, they will become adopted members of the family of God.  Again, God shows that he loves us all and wants us all to be his children.

"I will take care of you, Jeremiah." Jeremiah 15:11a

"Lord, you know what's happening to me.  Please step in and help me." Jeremiah 15:15a

"If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me." Jeremiah 15:19a

"You must influence them; do not let them influence you!" Jeremiah 15:19b

"Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands." Jeremiah 15:21

I love this conversation between Jeremiah and the Lord.  It starts out as a complaint to God because of the attacks being made on him by his enemies.  First God responds saying that he will care for Jeremiah, but Jeremiah does not seem to hear it because he comes right back with  his request for God to 'step in and help'.  God continues with more instructions for Jeremiah in how he is to deal with the people.  Finally, he makes his final statement again assuring Jeremiah that he will take care of him.

My response to God: God, thank you for giving us all the opportunity to choose you.  You are a loving, forgiving, and compassionate God.  Please, Lord, be patient with me when I am like Jeremiah and continue to not hear your answers to my prayers.

Truly knowing the Lord

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 8:4-22, 9:1-26, 10:1-25, 11:1-23

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"This is what the Lord says: 'Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.  I, the Lord, have spoken!'"  Jeremiah 9:23-24

This little nugget of hope is sandwiched neatly between the Lord's warnings, judgment and talk of destruction.  Here, again, the Lord gives the people one more chance to turn from their wicked ways and towards him and his unfailing love.  

"I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own.  We are not able to plan our own course.  So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle." Jeremiah 10:23-24

This is from Jeremiah's personal prayer to the Lord.  In his own way, he is the one who seems to 'get it'.  The one man who is probably the closest to God at the time is the only one who is honest about his humanity and unrighteousness.  He knows the wrath that God has, and he is specifically asking God to hold his wrath for those who are not acknowledging him.

"O Lord of Heaven's Armies, you make righteous judgements, and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets.  Let me see your vengeance against them, for I have committed my cause to you." Jeremiah 11:20

Once again, Jeremiah is speaking to the Lord at this point.  This is his plea in response to the plots being made against him by his enemies who do not like the messages he is relaying.  He is giving it all over to God.

My response to God:  Lord, I want to be able to boast that I know you and that you love me and delight in me.  Help me, Lord, when I stumble and please be gentle with me in your discipline. 

Mercy and love

Today's Readings: Daniel 2:1-49, 3:1-30; Jeremiah 7:1-34, 8:1-3

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."  Daniel 3:17

"Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon." Daniel 3:30

King Nebuchadnezzar was especially furious with these young men of Judah because he had promoted them to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon.  He probably took offense because he felt he had given them special favor and they 'rebelled' in return.  However, he had the opportunity...no, blessing, to see for himself how the living God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego protected them in the fiery furnace.  He must have had some sense, because he immediately began to Praise God and decreed in favor of the Lord.

"But don't be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord's Temple is here.  They chant, 'The Lord's Temple is here! The Lord's Temple is here!' But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols.  Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave your ancestors to keep forever."  Jeremiah 7:4-7

"Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, 'We are safe!' -- only to go right back to all those evils again?"  Jeremiah 7:9-10

These verses should make it clear to anyone that God wants more from us than just showing up for church on Sunday morning.  We must do more than just be in close proximity to a place where worship is occurring.  We must be part of that worship.  

My response to God: Heavenly Father, help me not to need the miracle that King Nebuchadnezzar needed in order to worship you.  Grow my faith.  Teach me mercy. Make my heart open to all.  All praises go to you, Lord.

Going in the right direction

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 19:1-15, 20:1-18; Daniel 1:1-21

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"But if I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my hear like a fire.  It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it!" Jeremiah 20:9

"But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior." Jeremiah 20:11a

Jeremiah seemed so conflicted.  First he complains to the Lord, then he turns around and cries out that he cannot help but speak the word of the Lord out loud.  But, in the end, he stands strong knowing that God will never leave him or forsake him and will always be by his side.

"But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.  He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods." Daniel 1:8

Daniel had such strength and that strength came from God.  Even as he was practically enslaved by King Nebuchadnezzar, he was determined not to be defiled.  What is interesting is his way of going about that.  He did not just stand up and protest, but he went through the 'appropriate channels' and made an official request and get proper permission.  It kind of reminds me of the old adage that says 'you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar'.  I think we can learn from this that common courtesy can go a long way.  But, more so, we can learn from Daniel that we, too, should be working to keep ourselves righteous in this very unrighteous world.

My response to God: Lord, thank you for giving me the peace of knowing you will always be by my side, just like you were with Jeremiah.  Make your word like a fire in my bones that I just cannot hold inside, but must shout it out to the world. Help me to recognize the areas in my life that lead me away from righteousness so that I can stay turned toward you.

The path to peace

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 25:15-38, 36:1-32, 45:1-5, 46:1-28

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Perhaps the people of Judah will repents when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them.  Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings." Jeremiah 36:3

"Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard." Jeremiah 36:24

"I will hand them over to those who want them killed -- to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his army.  But afterward the land will recover from the ravages of war. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Jeremiah 46:26

"'But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile.  Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them.  Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,' says the Lord. 'I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.'" Jeremiah 46:27-28

Even though these scriptures vividly show the anger of the Lord, they also show his compassion.  Over and over again, he follows his plans of destruction with his willingness to forgive.  Of course, the forgiveness comes with a cost that is hard to come by -- repentance.  The last paragraph shows how the Lord explains his justice as discipline.  He also specifically tells them how he will return them to a life of peace and quiet...but, they must repent.

My response to God:  Dear Lord, help me to see the peace and quiet in my life that can only come from you and from my obedience to you.  Guide me in my path of repentance.  Be the bright light that keeps me on that straight and narrow road that leads me to you.

Listening

Today's Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:1-4; 2 Kings 23:36-37, 24:1-4; Jeremiah 22:1-23, 25:1-14, 26:1-24

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"He (Jehoahaz) did what was evil in the Lord's sight, just as his ancestors had done." 2 Kings 23:32

"Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways.  Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins."  Jeremiah 26:3

Generation after generation, the people of Jerusalem continued in their disobedience.  Rarely, one generation would get it right, like Josiah, but sadly one generation later it all began again.  The Lord gave Jeremiah messages for the kings of Judah, messages they were not happy at all to receive.  God wanted to give the people one more opportunity to change their ways and sent Jeremiah to the Temple to share his message with the people.  They were so upset with what he said that they tried to kill him.  They did not kill him, but they also did not heed his words.  In the end, this led to the end of the kings of Judah and the beginning of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon's reign over them.  

My response to God:  Help me, Lord, to listen for your word from your messengers here on earth.  Let me not only hear them, but use what they have to say to make a positive difference in how I am serving you.