The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Jeremiah 25-28
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Background Information: Jeremiah 25-28
God was going to pour out his cup of wrath on his people. This same God would, at the appointed time, pour out the cup of wrath on his own son on behalf of his people. Jesus felt the full weight of our judgment but surrendered to the will of the Father.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42
Though we are no longer under God’s righteous judgment because of Jesus’ obedient sacrifice, we are called to follow him in sacrificial obedience. This is not to pay for our sins, but rather because we have been set free from sin unto obedience.
“In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:12
“For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”
Philippians 1:29
Jeremiah’s obedience put him in mortal danger, as seen by the fate of another prophet who did not escape execution. God’s plans for our lives are the same in principle, but they vary in outcomes. We are all called to faithfulness, but that faithfulness is used by God for his own ends. Uriah, son of Shemaiah, was faithful and died by the sword. Jeremiah was faithful, and God protected him. We are not to look around and ask, “Why me and why not them?” Remember, God is the potter, we are the clay; it is his prerogative to make what he chooses of our lives. We are to focus on faithfulness, not outcomes. That is the very definition of faithfulness: to do what is right and leave the results to God. Jeremiah’s words were more than just an uncomfortable truth. To the people, they would have been seen as sedition, words of treason. It would be the modern equivalent of someone telling the nation of Israel that they should surrender to Iran. Jeremiah had to be sure of his calling and that his words were actually from God. There was so much at stake that he could not afford to make a mistake. Hananiah was a confident false prophet. We have no reason to doubt he believed his own message was from God, but it was not. His confidence and perhaps his good motives meant nothing; God took his life for presuming to speak for him. This is a sober warning to us. Remember James’ words…”Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1. This doesn’t mean we should run in fear from speaking for God, but it does mean that we should be very afraid of misspeaking for him.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to heal, encourage, and comfort those in our church who are sick. Pray for Bruce Brown. Pray for Dave Haynes. Pray for Josie Jefferson. Josie is experiencing rapid decrease in her vision. Pray that Wayne and Missy Jefferson would have wisdom regarding next steps. 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.