Month: August 2023

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Choosing Christ

Ezekiel 13 -1 5 Salvation

Has anyone ever asked you about your salvation? When you asked them when they chose Christ some look at you with questions. Many reply I have always been a Christian, or my grandmother, grandfather, or parent was a Christian. That is why these chapters are key to helping someone understand that there are no grandchildren believers. God reiterates over and over by using Noah, Daniel, or Job, the most righteous men of the OT, as examples. Each person must choose just as those three men did.  God spared Noah and his family. He spared Daniel and his three friends. But, He did not spare Job’s children. You cannot count on God sparing your family just because you chose Christ.

Although this is a hard concept, God has spoken and is saying: Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Joshua challenged the Israelites to do just that, and now, centuries later, that same choice is before the Israelites. Will they choose idolatry or God? History reveals that they chose the latter, and that is why they are exiled in Babylon. Ezekiel is presenting this same case to the elders, but they turn a deaf ear.

Today, whom or what will you choose?

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The Art of Mime

Ezekiel 9-12 Marcel Marceau was arguably the most famous mime artist of the century, and his craft has not only endured but is used by many in the entertainment industry. Today, many look to him to learn the craft of mimicry. God used mime as an illustration to the rebellious house of Israel in Babylon. He cautioned Ezekiel to know that even though they see with their eyes, they would not understand nor believe. How often do we present the gospel message only to hear that is too simple, or I must clean up my life before God can save me. Yet, in these chapters, God knows the heart of men; some will believe in eternal life, and others will reject it.

Yet, just as Ezekiel was faithful, we are to be as well. To whom will we present God’s plan of salvation, whether they hear or reject?

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A Prayer for Restoration/Revival

Lamentations 4-5 Jeremiah takes us on a whirlwind tour of the destruction of Jerusalem, and we “walk” with him through the ruins of what was once a beautiful city. Not too long ago, as we walked through Ephesus, it was like seeing what might have been, and it was so in Jerusalem. The beauty and grandeur are gone, only rubble and broken homes and the temple as well. How quickly life changes, and then we must stop and consider why God has allowed this. Today we hear over and over, why does God allow all of this evil to occur? It is so that we will stop and consider: He has spoken, He has done this to humble us.

As Jeremiah closes his lament, he reminds us that the Lord has spoken and sovereignly has brought this about to humble his people.

As I look at our own nation, I see how God is divinely bringing about the curses because of our disobedience. Like Israel of old, we have been blessed, but we have turned a blind eye to Him who has provided those blessings. Turn us back, Lord! Open our eyes to see and our hearts to yearn for you. Jeremiah closes with these words:

Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, [Lam 5:21]

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Great is His faithfulness

Lamentations 1-3 God is…

The author is not named, but most scholars attribute this book to Jeremiah because of the many times he ‘laments.’ in his book. He laments the end of Jerusalem; he has been at this task for 40+/- yrs. The faithfulness of Jeremiah is a challenge to us also to be faithful no matter the circumstances. One principle is clear: In times of uncertainty, keep your eyes on God. Habakkuk said he would stand and watch, and Jeremiah echoes that same idea. Neither wanted to see the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple but trusted God to bring about these circumstances to awaken the people to know He is Lord and not some idol.

A sin to avoid is to allow yourself to lose heart in the midst of calamity. Instead, lift your eyes to the hills, for His redemption draws nigh. [Luke 21:28] Remember Jeremiah’s words: “Great is your faithfulness.” We sing that, but do we believe it?

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End of an era and a nation

Jer 51-52 In these two chapters, Jeremiah draws his life to a close with the prophecy about Zedekiah, which is ultimately fulfilled. How often are we warned by God to repent and follow His way, but most of us are like Zedekiah: stubborn, disobedient, and unbelieving?

This is the last account of Jerusalem’s fall and the Temple’s destruction. This all took place because Zedekiah refused, scorned, and despised the words of Jeremiah to go out to the Babylonians and be spared. Not only would he be spared, but also the Temple. We wonder what he was thinking and watching as his sons were beheaded as he stood before King Nebuchadnezzar. Did he recall the words of Jeremiah? Truth: We cannot run or hide from God; Zedekiah is a perfect example.

God brought all of this about to prove He is God and He is immutable. God blesses obedience and curses disobedience. Recall the words of Moses in Deut “Choose life!” [Deut 30:19]

Jeremiah is my favorite prophet. He was strong in the midst of his nation’s upheaval, and yet he never wavered. James reminds me that t if I waver, God will not answer. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. [1Cor 15:58]

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Keep your eye on the heavens!

Jer 49-50 Power Hungry? Watch out!

Babylon was chosen by God to discipline his children. Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s books tell us why and how it happened. But, just like the power-hungry adversaries in WWII, there will come a time when God says enough is enough. No more! God will raise an adversary to take down rich, power-hungry Babylon, which He did in WWII. We have seen it in politics, and we have seen it in the church, and we have seen it in families. God’s patience is long, but it comes to a point where He brings in the cavalry to save and return.

God is using Jeremiah to tell the people that they are experiencing battle fatigue but trust God, for the end is near. You will return to your homeland and rebuild. We wonder as we read this, do we take comfort in these words, or are we, too, experiencing battle fatigue because there seems to be no end in sight? The corruption seems to be unending, and there is no savior to bring peace. But Jesus reminded his followers, you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but the end is not yet. I will return in the clouds to take you to My home in heaven.

Trust Him today!

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Excellence? Diligence?

Jer 46-48 Those two words should be in our vocabulary every day! On this day some years back, my inlaws celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary! Those two words reflected their lives. Always their work was done with excellence, and they were diligent. Jeremiah reminds the reader that these are God’s characteristics. As His people, we should demonstrate those qualities to everyone. If we want God to bless, we must diligently pursue the kingdom and His righteousness.

Jer 48:10 says the one who does the work of the Lord negligently is the same as one who is cursed. it is the same as compromise when it comes to the Lord’s work. Those are weighty words.

Today the sin to avoid is doing less than required or doing it haphazardly. The command of the Lord is to do the work of the Lord steadfastly, as Paul says.

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Impatient Hypocrisy

Jeremiah 41-45 The remaining Judahites come to Jeremiah to seek the counsel of the Lord. They hypocritically say they will listen and obey what God wanted them to do. But, in reality, God knew their heart, which was full of hypocrisy. To say one thing and yet do another is hypocrisy. These men wanted to have God say what they wanted to hear. After waiting ten days, God sent them a message: do NOT go to Egypt. If you do, you will die there. How like today! God sends his messengers to tell men to repent and be saved. Yet, men say I must have to do something; first. I must clean up my life, give more money to the church, etc. Men just cannot believe it is a simple gospel message. This story of the murder of the Babylonian governor’s murder and then the Judahite’s fear of the Babylonians is the backdrop of this hypocrisy. In hindsight, it is the truth of Prov 29:25 “the fear of man is a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.” 

Where has God spoken, and you have denied the truth? Where is God calling you to Himself, and you are not believing His way? 

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The Eye of God

Habakkuk 1-3 Habakkuk has been given a bird’s eye view of the world and God’s judgment. He doesn’t understand why God would choose the evil empire of Babylon to judge his people, but then God reveals why through the use of illustrations beginning with “woe.”

God pronounces three woes. Woe to him who covets evil gain. Sounds like today. Men covet money, and they are never satisfied. Woe to him, who builds a town with bloodshed. How many towns were built on that premise both then and even now as we watch Putin desire all of Ukraine? Woe to him who says to wood, Awake! To the silent stone, Arise.!The stupidity of men who covet, kill and give credit to man-made idols.

O Lord, keep our eyes fastened upon you. May we echo the prayer of Habakkuk: O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid. O Lord, revive your work in the midst of the years. Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vine, Yet…I will rejoice in the Lord.

Today, may this be my prayer as I watch this nation surrender to covetousness, greed, power-hungry men, and idol worship of men rather than God.

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God Hears and God Answers

Jer 38-40 and Ps 74, 79 God’s Grace is Greater

As Jeremiah has predicted, the Babylonians have arrived and are decimating Jerusalem. In all of this horror, God has a man ready to step in and protect his most precious prophet, Jeremiah. It is amazing to read that God has given this man, Nebuzaradan the insight of God’s plan. He understood what many others scoffed at or disregarded. The captain of the royal guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, “The Lord your God threatened this place with this disaster.” [Jer 40:2]  Sometimes God uses believers and sometimes He uses unbelievers to speak for Him. Did he change and follow Jehovah? We are not told, but it is a truth that reaches across the centuries: God has His men/women to speak for Him to show His plan. He also is a God of mercy. Others had been taken captive but Jeremiah is released. God is a God of grace and mercy and He reveals that because Jeremiah is His spokesperson to tell the good news.

Where has  God revealed His plan and His mercy to me? Where have I prayed and prayed and then seen God work? God hears and God answers. Where are you seeking God’s answers? Are you diligently praying?  

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