The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Jeremiah 21-24
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Background Information: Jeremiah 21-24
The narrative jumps to the last king of Judah, Zedekiah. The Babylonian threat was a reality, not a possibility. At that point, no one was questioning Jeremiah’s credibility, but they were hoping he would give them an updated, more favorable prophecy. Perhaps now, God will rescue them as he has his people in days past? No, it’s too late for rescue, but not too late to obey God. If they stay in the city and fight, they will die. If they surrender to the Babylonians and to the will of God, they will live. The following chapter is a series of prophetic utterances regarding the kings under whom Jeremiah lived. King after king has failed to lead the people to worship and obey God. God is a patient, but not a passive, dad; the time has come for him to take decisive action. Yet, while his patience isn’t passive, his promises are permanent. Beyond the judgement that is coming will be a return of the exiles to the land. That restoration will point to a larger fulfillment of God’s promises: Jesus, the Branch of David, will come. He will be the only truly wise and righteous king. Having pronounced judgment on the Kings, Jeremiah pronounces God’s judgment on Israel’s prophets, who also failed miserably in their calling. Jeremiah has suffered terrible abuse because of his faithfulness to the Word of God. The false prophets were applauded by men for speaking what people wanted to hear. The false prophets spoke words of straw, whereas God’s word is grain–real food for the soul. God’s word is a hammer that breaks stone; no mere human words can stand against it. How could the people have been expected to discern the false prophets from the true? How are we to be able to discern between the many voices out there, all claiming to speak the truth of God? First, we must ask whether their words are in line with God’s revealed word. God will never contradict what he has already said in his written word. We must know God’s word ourselves if we are to discern whether someone is speaking what is true. Second, is the supposed prophet’s life in line with God’s revealed way of life? The false prophets lived immoral and unjust lives while claiming to speak for a holy and just God. The true prophets not only spoke of God’s holiness, but they also lived lives that reflected his holiness. How could you know how a person claiming to speak for God lives in their personal life? They must live in community with you. Beware of putting more trust in the words of shepherds who live far from you, than the shepherds God has placed in community with you. A true shepherd cannot lead remotely; they have to live among the sheep in order to lead them well.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Give thanks for CAYM and the work God is doing establishing and strengthening mentoring programs. Pray for the mentoring initiatives in Uganda. Ask God to use the work there to introduce children to the hope of the gospel.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.