Tag: hangest thou in there

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Jeremiah’s Alexander Day

Jeremiahs' Day reflection

Jeremiah 20: Have you ever had one of “those” days when nothing goes right? There is a story about a boy named Alexander whose life seems like that. His day begins with gum getting stuck in his hair, and the rest of his day is all downhill. It really is one of those “Terrible, Horrible, No Good Days.” Jeremiah is having just such a day, to put it bluntly. God has called him to preach to a people who just will not listen. Like the men in the depression who wore storyboards to announce something and people walked by ignoring them or making remarks better left unsaid, Jeremiah takes his storyboard of God’s message to the passers-by and has the same reaction. Yes, it is one of Jeremiah’s “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days.” 

His day ended with sitting in the stocks in the city square, thanks to the Priest Pashur which he used to make Jeremiah a laughing stock. Jeremiah has come to the end and shouts to God: ‘I QUIT!” Can you relate? God listens but does not comment. Yes, God is silent just when we need to vent. But then, in the quiet, Jeremiah stops and begins to tell God:

Your message is like a fire burning within me. I am tired, God. I want to quit God. But, then a still quiet voice says; keep on keeping on. I hear, and I note, and I have a blessing for you—so “hangest thou in there.” 

So when you are having an Alexander Day, stop and talk to God, and like then just like Ezekiel, listen for His quiet voice.

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Hump Day!

Micah 1 hump day2a

Micah 2 How does your worship on Sunday affect your weekday? Are you facing the blahs of ‘hump day?’ Are you weary and looking forward to the weekend?  The Israelites were no different and so Micah asks his audience is God’s patience dwindled or is it exhausted? He answers with these words from God: surely not! God is patient and longsuffering and He blesses those who choose to walk uprightly.

Uprightly has the meaning of one whose walk is marked by integrity. If you do a “rabbit trail” through the scriptures you find that principle over and over. In fact, if you read the entire 28th chapter of Deut you will see how God blesses those who choose this path. Also, the psalmist knew that principle: Ps. 18: 25-26; God proves Himself reliable to one who is blameless, Ps 25: 10 the Lord always proves faithful and reliable to those who follow the demands of his covenant.

So although today is “hump day,” be sure of this dear friends, God will continue to bless you who choose His ways 24/7, 365 days a year. Do not become weary in well-doing and remember that a man’s appearance reveals his heart. Hangest thou in there. Be faithful and see the hand of the Lord upon your life.

 

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The Callous Heart is Softened

genesis 43 to 36 god at work2aGenesis 43-46 What does it take to soften a heart but the separation from loved ones for several years? In those years God has been at work in the heart of Judah and the heart of Joseph. Judah brought great grief to his father Jacob and no amount of consoling brought him relief; Joseph was gone and he could not be consoled. He gave up all hope so when Judah wanted to take Benjamin to get more grain in Egypt it was the last straw. While that scenario was happening back in Canaan Joseph had sat in the dark of the dungeon until one day God intervened and now he sat second in command.

In each case, we can see by reading these stories that God is the one who orchestrates our days and our times that He will get the glory. He will move heaven and earth to get Judah to repent and to use the dreams He gave Joseph to show Himself true. As bystanders in all of this we listen with the brothers as Judah, having convinced Jacob to take Benjamin with him, now stands before Joseph unaware that he is fulfilling Joseph’s dreams. His repentance is forthcoming and our hearts break with him as he pours forth the story so that the missing years of Joseph’s life are filled in. We weep with Joseph as our hearts are broken for our brother Judah. But we also see how Joseph’s faith has not only strengthened him but gave him hope all these years.

Four times Joseph honors God: God sent me ahead to preserve you. Imagine Judah listening to all of this! You may see yourself wondering how your present trial will turn out.  Hangest thou in there; Romans 8:28 is true! “all things work together for good”  God will be honored in His time and place.

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