Jeremiah 2:1 – 6:30 (Continued)

September 27, 2011

Jeremiah 6 - Punishment must come.

Jeremiah 6:10–11 - "To whom can I speak? Whom can I warn? Who will listen to me? The people have closed ears so they cannot hear my warning. They don't like the word of the LORD; (NIV - find it offensive) they don't want to listen to it! But I am full of the anger of the LORD, and I am tired of holding it in." Jeremiah 6:13–15 - "Everyone... is greedy for money... all tell lies." They try to act as if their serious consequences are really nothing, saying, "It's all right, it's all right. But really it is not all right. They should be ashamed of the terrible way they act, but they are not ashamed at all. They don't even know how to blush about their sins. So they will fall, along with everyone else. They will be thrown to the ground when I punish them," says the LORD.

This is what the LORD says:

"Stand where the roads cross and look. Ask where the old way is, where the good way is, and walk on it. If you do you will find rest for yourselves."

But they have said, "We will not walk on the good way." I've said "listen," but you would not listen. So everyone listen, pay attention, and watch what I am going to do. "I am going to bring disaster... because of the evil they plan." Consequences. The NIV says it this way. "(They will reap) the fruit of their schemes." They continue to "act" the part of a follower by bringing offerings and sacrifices. But, they have not listened to God's messages and they have rejected His teachings. And God says, I will not accept your attempt to be "religious." Here is what I am going to do: "I will put problems in front of (you). Fathers and sons will stumble over them together."

Just have to pause here and write about "problems." There are several different kinds of "problems."

1. The kind sent by God as discipline. The purpose is to get your attention and to bring you back to the right path.  
2. The kind sent as a judgment. God's message has been rejected and like Jeremiah is saying, these kinds of problems are meant to block you, to cause you to stumble, destruction, etc.  
3. The kind sent as a way to build you (and others) up and as a way to bring blessings by giving you the opportunity to see HIS hand at work.    

When I look back at all we have been through, and the many "problems" we have faced, I absolutely marvel at what all God has done!! The things we have went through (even the ugly lawsuit) has been used to enrich our lives, bring healing, and yes, even "bless" us. I hate even using the word "bless" because I so dislike how most people use it. But, I must give honor to where honor is due! And God saw fit to bless us by putting all these things in our lives. Yes, by putting them in our lives. Oh, how we have seen the hand of God at work. Therein lies the blessing—seeing the hand of God.

"Praise the Name of Jesus, Praise the name of Jesus. He's my Rock. He's my Fortress. He's my Deliverer. In HIM will I trust. Praise the name of Jesus."   

When you are faithful with what God has given you to steward He gives you even more to steward. Steward—taking care of what isn't yours, it belongs to another. We are to be "good and faithful servants," not owners. Oh, what we have learned and are still learning. How many times do people think that God is saying if you are faithful with a little I will give you more? That is not it at all!! It's not about "getting" more. It is about "giving" more. The more you are faithful, the more God requires. 

Your plate will be full when you are living your life as an honor to God. The things we have on our plate aren't "problems," they are opportunities. They are not there to cause us to stumble, they are an opportunity to build others up. And in so doing it brings God's blessings on your life. Wow! As I was praying during the night last night saying, "Thank you so much for these opportunities, LORD. I am so grateful to be able to see your hand at work in our lives as well as those around us," the words of the Doxology came to my mind.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."

Getting? No. Giving. That is what life is ALL about.

For those who continued to be stubborn, who have turned against God and go around telling lies about others: "They are like bronze and iron that became covered with rust. They all act dishonestly. The fire is fanned to make it hotter, but the lead doesn't melt. The pure metal does not come out; the evil is not removed." So God calls them—rejected silver.

Life Lesson ~  Any severe and prolonged pattern of sin, practiced by people who claim to be devoted to God, invites punishment from God.

"Many people profess faithfulness... but for the godly person, faithfulness is an absolutely essential quality of his character, regardless of what it might cost. The faithful person is one who is dependable, trustworthy, and loyal, who can be depended on in all his relationships, and who is absolutely honest and ethical in all his affairs... If we are careful to be honest in the little things, we will certainly be careful to be honest in the more important things of life... Reliability is not just a social obligation; it is a spiritual obligation. God is even more concerned about our faithfulness than the person who is relying on us in some particular situation... the faithful person is not only honest and dependable, but also loyal... whether it be in honesty or dependability or loyalty, faithfulness is frequently a costly virtue. Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to pay that price." ~ From The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges  

My hearts desire is to be found faithful.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 7:1 – 10:25