October 06, 2011
Jeremiah 13 - This was where I was reading on the day Jane E. Wolfe (Her Name Was Jane) took her last earthly breath and began her eternal life. "Imagine...stepping on shore and finding it heaven."("Finally Home") Imagine. Seeing Jesus and hearing the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Imagine. "Will I dance for you Jesus? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will be able to speak at all?” (I Can Only Imagine)
God made it very clear to Jeremiah that His people (who in their stubborn pride left Him and refused to turn from their wicked ways) would not be hearing the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Selfish pride—verses—Servant. My way (what I want, I, I, I, mine, mine, mine, me, me, me)—verses—it's all about YOU God, YOUR will, YOUR way, obedience, surrender, submission. The people of Judah (and today) just could not bring themselves to be a servant. It was all about them and what they wanted. p.r.I.d.e—with a capital "I" in the middle.
God uses the illustration of a linen belt that became "ruined; it was good for nothing." (Jeremiah 13:7)
We (God's people) are intended to be like a belt wrapped around the LORD's waist for all to see. Not for the purpose of people saying, Wow! look at the belt. It's not about the belt at all. It's about who owns the belt, who the belt is wrapped around, and who it is carried by. The belt (we His people) are to bring fame, honor, and glory to the LORD—not to ourselves. When people refuse to listen to His warning (stubbornly doing what they want to do when they want to do it) they become like the ruined linen belt and are described as "good for nothing." Wow. What a dichotomy of results and outcome.
"Listen and pay attention.
Don't be too proud,
because the LORD has spoken to you.
Give glory to the LORD your God
before he brings darkness
and before you slip and fall
on the dark hills.
You hope for light,
but he will turn it into darkness;
he will change it into deep gloom.
If you don't listen to him,
I will cry secretly
I will cry painfully,
and my eyes will overflow with tears,
because the LORD's people will be captured."
Jeremiah 13:15–17
Jeremiah 13:21 - "What will you say when the LORD sets over you those you cultivated as your special allies?" Then the LORD says something that ought to shake every one of us to the core. "Can (a person) change the color of their skin? Can a leopard change his spots? In the same way... you cannot change and do good, because you are accustomed to doing evil." Wow! The decisions we make in the small areas of our lives do matter!! There is no such thing as a "little" lie. If you are honest in the small things you will be honest in the big things. The same can be said of other virtues as well. Courage. Dependability. Integrity. Purity. Faithfulness. Trustworthy. Loyalty. Honesty. Ethics. Reliability. All these virtues start somewhere. They start with choices we make in the small areas of our lives. Conversely the same is true of lying, cheating, scheming, trickery, strategizing, manipulation—attributes all fueled by pride. Soon it becomes the "norm."
How does it become the norm? By starting in the "small" things until it no longer seems wrong. As God put it, "You are accustomed to doing evil." Watch your choices!! Even in the small things. You are building a pattern for your life. You are setting a foundation that everything else will be built upon, both good and evil. Jeremiah 13:22–25 - "You might ask yourself, "Why has this happened to me?" And God answers, "It is because of your many sins. Because of your sins... you cannot change and do good, because you are accustomed to doing evil. I will scatter you like chaff that is blown away by the desert wind. This is what will happen to you; this is your part in my plans." Because you forgot me and trusted in false gods I will expose your deeds and everyone will see your shame. I have seen what you have done. I know.
How terrible it will be. Good for nothing; cannot change because you are accustomed to evil; exposed and shamed; how terrible it will be.
How long will you continue doing what you want instead of what I've asked? Stop! Change your heart. Get a new way of thinking. Repent. Obey. IF—my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN—I will hear from heaven and I will heal their land.
Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride will destroy a person; a proud attitude leads to ruin." (NCV) "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Addendum: 7/19/2016 ~ Today as I was editing this post Jeremiah 13:24–25 grabbed my attention. "I will scatter you like chaff that is blown away by the desert wind. This is what will happen to you; this is your part in my plans." What a devastating statement. It brings tears to my eyes. "... your part in my plans" is to be scattered and blown away, destroyed and useless with no value to Him or anyone else.
Our hearts desire should be to be used by God to bring him glory and honor and to further HIS kingdom on earth and in heaven. To be the linen belt that brings HIM glory for what HE has done. To become useless to the point where "your part" has been reduced to absolute worthlessness is disturbing, heartbreaking, and sobering. So sad. So very, very, sad.
Oh Lord, may that never be said of me. And Lord, for those whom it is the current reality, may they repent and humbles themselves. May they turn away from their pride and may they turn to your salvation. May they submit themselves to your authority.
LORD, You have extended your grace for many, many years. LORD, you have also protected us and given us peace and contentment even though "the storm" still brews around us. You've been faithful to sustain us and you have faithfully and patiently waited for changed hearts and lives. I am grateful, so grateful. Not only for your guiding and protecting hand in our lives, but also for your strong and determined desire to give YOUR Grace.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 14:1 – 17:27
Jeremiah 13 - This was where I was reading on the day Jane E. Wolfe (Her Name Was Jane) took her last earthly breath and began her eternal life. "Imagine...stepping on shore and finding it heaven."("Finally Home") Imagine. Seeing Jesus and hearing the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Imagine. "Will I dance for you Jesus? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will be able to speak at all?” (I Can Only Imagine)
God made it very clear to Jeremiah that His people (who in their stubborn pride left Him and refused to turn from their wicked ways) would not be hearing the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Selfish pride—verses—Servant. My way (what I want, I, I, I, mine, mine, mine, me, me, me)—verses—it's all about YOU God, YOUR will, YOUR way, obedience, surrender, submission. The people of Judah (and today) just could not bring themselves to be a servant. It was all about them and what they wanted. p.r.I.d.e—with a capital "I" in the middle.
God uses the illustration of a linen belt that became "ruined; it was good for nothing." (Jeremiah 13:7)
"Ruined; it was good for nothing."
or
"Well done thou good and faithful servant."
We (God's people) are intended to be like a belt wrapped around the LORD's waist for all to see. Not for the purpose of people saying, Wow! look at the belt. It's not about the belt at all. It's about who owns the belt, who the belt is wrapped around, and who it is carried by. The belt (we His people) are to bring fame, honor, and glory to the LORD—not to ourselves. When people refuse to listen to His warning (stubbornly doing what they want to do when they want to do it) they become like the ruined linen belt and are described as "good for nothing." Wow. What a dichotomy of results and outcome.
"Listen and pay attention.
Don't be too proud,
because the LORD has spoken to you.
Give glory to the LORD your God
before he brings darkness
and before you slip and fall
on the dark hills.
You hope for light,
but he will turn it into darkness;
he will change it into deep gloom.
If you don't listen to him,
I will cry secretly
I will cry painfully,
and my eyes will overflow with tears,
because the LORD's people will be captured."
Jeremiah 13:15–17
Jeremiah 13:21 - "What will you say when the LORD sets over you those you cultivated as your special allies?" Then the LORD says something that ought to shake every one of us to the core. "Can (a person) change the color of their skin? Can a leopard change his spots? In the same way... you cannot change and do good, because you are accustomed to doing evil." Wow! The decisions we make in the small areas of our lives do matter!! There is no such thing as a "little" lie. If you are honest in the small things you will be honest in the big things. The same can be said of other virtues as well. Courage. Dependability. Integrity. Purity. Faithfulness. Trustworthy. Loyalty. Honesty. Ethics. Reliability. All these virtues start somewhere. They start with choices we make in the small areas of our lives. Conversely the same is true of lying, cheating, scheming, trickery, strategizing, manipulation—attributes all fueled by pride. Soon it becomes the "norm."
How does it become the norm? By starting in the "small" things until it no longer seems wrong. As God put it, "You are accustomed to doing evil." Watch your choices!! Even in the small things. You are building a pattern for your life. You are setting a foundation that everything else will be built upon, both good and evil. Jeremiah 13:22–25 - "You might ask yourself, "Why has this happened to me?" And God answers, "It is because of your many sins. Because of your sins... you cannot change and do good, because you are accustomed to doing evil. I will scatter you like chaff that is blown away by the desert wind. This is what will happen to you; this is your part in my plans." Because you forgot me and trusted in false gods I will expose your deeds and everyone will see your shame. I have seen what you have done. I know.
How terrible it will be. Good for nothing; cannot change because you are accustomed to evil; exposed and shamed; how terrible it will be.
How long will you continue doing what you want instead of what I've asked? Stop! Change your heart. Get a new way of thinking. Repent. Obey. IF—my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN—I will hear from heaven and I will heal their land.
Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride will destroy a person; a proud attitude leads to ruin." (NCV) "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Addendum: 7/19/2016 ~ Today as I was editing this post Jeremiah 13:24–25 grabbed my attention. "I will scatter you like chaff that is blown away by the desert wind. This is what will happen to you; this is your part in my plans." What a devastating statement. It brings tears to my eyes. "... your part in my plans" is to be scattered and blown away, destroyed and useless with no value to Him or anyone else.
Our hearts desire should be to be used by God to bring him glory and honor and to further HIS kingdom on earth and in heaven. To be the linen belt that brings HIM glory for what HE has done. To become useless to the point where "your part" has been reduced to absolute worthlessness is disturbing, heartbreaking, and sobering. So sad. So very, very, sad.
Oh Lord, may that never be said of me. And Lord, for those whom it is the current reality, may they repent and humbles themselves. May they turn away from their pride and may they turn to your salvation. May they submit themselves to your authority.
LORD, You have extended your grace for many, many years. LORD, you have also protected us and given us peace and contentment even though "the storm" still brews around us. You've been faithful to sustain us and you have faithfully and patiently waited for changed hearts and lives. I am grateful, so grateful. Not only for your guiding and protecting hand in our lives, but also for your strong and determined desire to give YOUR Grace.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 14:1 – 17:27
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