Month: August 2025

In what or who are you boasting? As the prophet of the Lord,  Jeremiah (also Paul) reiterate what we are to boast in: “Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.” [Jer 9:23-24]

This is a wake up call to all of believers! So often the pride of the sin filled flesh boasts in his accomplishments but Jeremiah reminds us that our only boast should be this: we understands and knows God!  And what should we know about Him? He is the one who exercises what the NET translates as: “act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things.” 

The question before us today is this: in what are you boasting? Do you understand and know Him? 

Jeremiah 5: Praise the Creator!

Jeremiah has been pleading with the nation to return to God. In one of his more testy exchanges he asks them to recall the God they supposedly worship. However, as Jeremiah recounts, they had forgotten that God is Creator of heaven and earth. Jeremiah reminds them that they/“You should tremble in awe before me! I made the sand to be a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier that it can never cross. Its waves may roll, but they can never prevail. They may roar, but they can never cross beyond that boundary.” Paul adds to that they are without excuse for His eternal attributes are clearly seen in Creation. [Rom 1:20] 

How about us? Do we worship the creation or the Creator? Think about it today 

I love this comment about this chapter: “He has not done so yet because He is patient and is giving people time to repent (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9). Yet that day will surely come (2 Pet. 3:10). In view of its coming, Christians need to be holy in conduct and godly in character looking for and hastening that day (by our prayers and preaching, 2 Pet. 3:11). The great outpouring of divine wrath on the earth predicted here will take place during the Tribulation, before our Lord returns to set up His kingdom (cf. 2:2; Zech. 14:2; Rev. 16:14, 16).”

How wonderful to know that God is still patiently waiting for those who will become part of His kingdom. He is doing  His part, are we doing our part by bringing the gospel of peace to those who do not know Him? Are we holy in conduct and godly in character? 

Josiah sought to cleanse the land and its religious symbols but God was still not pleased because it was not just the outward showing of destroying symbols but it must be of the heart and the hearts were still hard. The way we know it is true because after Josiah came his son and he raised up the evil ways of the idols his father had destroyed. There is a lesson here for us. We can destroy the outside effects of our sins but if the heart is not changed,then the sin remains. 

God will not be mocked. What He has said, He will do. 

Today cleanse your hearts you people so God can bring a refreshing to your land. 

Jonah reluctantly came to Nineveh and the entire city repented but repentance is only so long it appears, for now one hundred years later they have returned to their wicked ways. The Lord uses Nahum to remind them: The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;the Lord will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished. Take heed as you read this tale of woe for this same principle is still active today. Our nation is just like Nineveh of old, steeped in mockery of God and His ways. God will be patient only so long for as Peter reminded his generation He will move heaven and earth to bring the gospel because God is not willing any should perish. He will patiently remind them of the truths of Romans 1. If you continue on your wicked ways, He will turn you over the desires of your heart and you will face the consequences. 

Listen carefully today and choose life as Moses reminded his generation: CHOOSE LIFE! 

Why does God have to bring suffering often to His people? It is because their hearts are proud and forget the ways of the Lord and His blessings. Two kings reveal this truth. Let’s learn from them so we do not have to do “another lap around the wilderness.”  Read these stories over and over to remind yourself the price we must pay for our pride. 

Lesson #1: King Hezekiah received a letter from the king of Assyria mocking the true God of Israel. He and the prophet Isaiah took that letter to the throne in prayer and God answered. Paul wrote centuries later, God will not be mocked. [Gal 6] God answered the king and Isaiah and the land was spared but what did Hezekiah do? He became proud and forgot the blessings of the Lord. 

Lesson #2: Hezekiah’s son Manasseh did not learn and recall the saving grace of God. Instead he reinstated idolatry so God sent an evil king to banish him in chains. While in prison, Manasseh humbled himself and God heard and gave him his kingdom back. Yet, his repentance did not carry over to the people. 

Lesson #3: Beware of pride for even if you do repent, the memory of your former life is not enough to repair the damage. Be ye steadfast in your faith. Be quick to listen, slow to anger and be humble first and foremost. 

King Hezekiah hears the news from Isaiah that he should put his house in order because death is not too far away. He weeps bitterly hearing this news and God listens with His open ear. God in His mercy extends Hezekiah’s life by 15 yrs and he is healed. How he responds is what we need to look at. Hezekiah is obviously overjoyed at this news and in his excitement welcomes the Babylonian enemies to his home as they come with gifts because they have heard of his illness. Hezekiah then takes the Babylonians on a tour of his home, his treasury and the glitter of his kingdom. As we read this we stop and ask ourselves how would we have responded?  

Obviously Hezekiah fails to realize that these are gifts from the Lord and they are to be held in humility, not in pride, but his heart is not in alignment with God. After their departure, Isaiah comes to tell him the fruit of his negligence in protecting God’s immense wealth and gifts. Again, it is Hezekiahs’ response that we need to zero in on. Isaiah’s words should stop us in our tracks and cause us to seek God’s face and forgiveness but Hezekiah is so “full of himself” that he fails to see the impending repercussions. As Hezekiah hears the words of the Lord which are devastating, he does not humble himself but says “The Lord’s message which you have announced is appropriate.” Then he added, “At least there will be peace and stability during my lifetime.”  “Sigh”…how can the news of the Babylonians destruction of Jerusalem, his own children taken captive be good? 

Our responses to the words of the Lord should cause us to be humble but oftentimes it is our pride that stands in the way. Today, if you were in Hezekiah’s shoes how would you have responded?

How good are we at waiting? Sometimes good especially as we wait for the goodness of the Lord but sometimes not so good when we think of the disasters that are happening. This past week we saw the oceans roar and the heavens poured down rain upon the unsuspecting. The pictures reveal the power of wind and water as the earth awakens from the deep and pours forth its anguish.  Yet, in all of that this is what the Lord says:  “Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who intervenes for those who wait for him.” His power is great, His deeds are the revelation of His plan for the earth that groans under its bondage. Truly His power and His majesty is seen in the earth and we who watch are among the waiting. But, what are we waiting for? Are we waiting for He who holds the earth in His hand? Are we waiting for His intervention in our lives? What are we waiting for? 

But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” That is what waiting is all about; to see the goodness of the Lord we serve. How good are you at waiting?