220th Week, Jeremiah Chapters 40-44 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Jeremiah Chapter 40

Jeremiah 40

Verses 2 & 3

Bart Strayer

Verses 2 & 3:  When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The Lord our God decreed this disaster for this place. And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him.”

THOUGHT

These verses spoke volumes to me about the validity of God’s Word, “He has done what he said he would.” This is all about trusting God. 

As we read about Jeremiah, it is easy for us readers of the Bible to see why Jeremiah would trust God. After all, it is easier to look at things in retrospect and understand, than to be on the front lines. Remember to stand strong and trust God when He calls you to the front.

The last part of these verses talks about obedience. Can you imagine not obeying God? But yet, we do it every day. There may be certain things we have right now (i.e. living conditions, relationships, possessions, thoughts) that are not pleasing to God. In prayer, ask Jesus to help expose areas in your life that are not pleasing to Him so that you may live a clean and pure life before our Lord. 

Remember and be thankful that Jesus created a vehicle that we may go before the throne of God clean of sin, and ask for His guidance.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and this time of weekly fellowship. We thank You for the soundness of Your doctrine and love for Your people. Guide and protect us as we go our separate ways.  Prepare our hearts and minds for worship on Sunday. In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Tuesday, Jeremiah Chapter 41

Jeremiah 41

Tanya Ruden

Verse 1

Verse 1: “In the seventh month, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and had been one of the kings of officers, came with 10 men to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam at Mizpah.”  In another translation it states, “Ishmael was loyal to Zedekiah”.

THOUGHT

There have been some challenging chapters in Jeremiah to reflect on and select a verse from, but today was one of the most challenging, at least for me. I have to admit up front; I had to pull out my commentary book for some guidance today, and even it lumps chapters 40 and 41 together.

“When Ishmael showed his loyalty to Zedekiah, he was in turn rejecting the rule of the governor. His love for the fallen king was greater than his love for God, others, and the nation. He was more concerned about revenge than righteousness. What could have been a peaceful transition became a civil war, all because of one man’s wickedness.” (Per Bible Commentary)

How many times a day/week/year do we take what could be a peaceful transition or situation and make it a major event/discussion?  In other words - mountain out of a molehill - if you will. God calls us to be peacemakers. Maybe that means we are not always right, and we have to back down and be the bigger person.  Usually the outcome is more Christ-like, leaves a better/lasting impression, and is more productive in the long run.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, You have called us to be peacemakers on this earth and handle situations as You would, avoiding the “civil war” of the situation. This is often one of the hardest things to do as we are a people of wanting to be right and wanting to win. Help us each day to be a peacemaker and beware of those situations where we are called to be the peacemaker and make a situation peaceful — not “war like”.  AMEN

Wednesday, Jeremiah Chapter 42

Jeremiah 42

Verse 6

Tanya Ruden

Verse 6:  Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us for we will obey our Lord our God.

THOUGHT

How often do we only want to obey God when it is favorable for us? It kind of reminds me of what Bart touched on last week regarding tearing out the pages of the Bible we don’t want to obey or apply to our life. 

In this Chapter, the people ask Jeremiah to pray for them and are desperate for peace and willing to do “anything”. When Jeremiah returns with the outcome from God for their request, they still don’t listen. They still choose their own way and do not live where God has promised them peace. 

How often do we try to “bargain” with God saying, “If You answer this prayer, I will”,...and then we don’t? Our sinful nature works into our prayers so often when we try to bargain with God thinking we know what is best for us. We must remember that God has a plan, and we need to trust in Him.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank You for the avenue of prayer that we are able to come to You directly with our request, rather than having to have our requests made known through prophets, as in Jeremiah’s day. Lord, so often we try to bargain with You, thinking we know what is best for our wellbeing.  So often we only hear the favorable outcomes You make known for us, not accepting the unfavorable. Lord, help us to hear You every time You speak, whether it is a favorable answer or what we would consider an unfavorable answer. Help us to trust in You faithfully.  Knowing that when we give our lives and cares to You, You will guide our lives by Your plan.  We Love You, Jesus. AMEN

Thursday, Jeremiah Chapter 43

Jeremiah 43

Verse 7

Tanya Ruden

Verse 7:  So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord and went as far as Tahpanhes.

THOUGHT

You can’t help but start to become slightly frustrated with Jeremiah’s people by this point. Why can’t they just listen and obey? 

When I read this verse, I interpreted it a little differently than it was intended, but I still think it is a valid point worth making. I read it as if the people disobeyed God only a little.  They only went so far, but not all the way to the town God told them not to. 

How often do we sin, but don’t really consider it disobedience because we only slightly sinned, not the whole horrible act? God calls us to obey all of His commands 100%, not 75%. There is no such thing as a little disobedience with God. A sin is a sin, and all are equal in His sight!!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank You so much for dying on the cross for our sins. We are such disobedient people. We strive to obey Your law and will for our lives, but so often we fall short. Please help us to be an obedient people and in those times we are not, we come to You asking for forgiveness and for Your help.  Please forgive us, Jesus. We Love You.  AMEN

Friday, Jeremiah Chapter 44

Jeremiah 44

Verse 5

Tanya Ruden

Verse 5:  But they did not listen or pay attention; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.

THOUGHT

This sounds like what I say every day to Sierra, “Were you listening?”. Isn’t it amazing how often we don’t listen or really don’t hear what God is saying to us? I don’t think it is that we choose to ignore Him or want to ignore Him, but I think we are often so busy with our daily lives that we fail to hear what is being said. God’s voice can get lost in the noise of our day. 

I realize in Jeremiah’s case the people were making a conscious choice to not listen and obey God, and often we do that too.  But like little Sierra, I just think sometimes we are so into what we are doing, we fail to “listen” to God.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank You for prayer, where we are able to come before You and tell You our feelings, requests and give You the praise You deserve. You listen to us every time we talk, with 110% attention. Lord, so often we don’t listen to You, especially with the same devotion You give us. Help us to listen, sit quietly, and reflect on You.  We will never hear You in the chaos of our day if we don’t take time out from the noise and stress. Help us to hear You and pay attention to what You tell us and desire for our lives. We Love You, Jesus.  AMEN