Do you take your worship with You?

 Read Jeremiah 7.

The Temple in Jerusalem was the most sacred place in the world.  Inside, the very presence of God filled the Holy of Holies.  Judah felt safe, even invincible, because God was on their side.

At the Temple, the people of Judah showed outward signs of obedience to God.  But, during the week their lifestyles betrayed the faith they said they believed.  They proclaimed, "'We are delivered!'--only to go on doing all these abominations." (v.10)  They went through the motions but there was no demonstrated life-change.  This lack of spiritual integrity and blatant sin would no longer be tolerated.

God named their sins.  Most all of them had to do with their mistreatment of others.  In addition, they were looking to man-made gods and making sacrifices to them.  The LORD will not share His position of exclusivity with anyone or anything.

Twice, Shiloh is mentioned.  That was the place where the Tabernacle had been and the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11).  God warned Judah that such a thing could happen in Jerusalem.

His call to them in verse 23 is simple:
1. "Obey my voice." 
They had been listening to the voices of false teachers and ungodly leaders.  Do not miss the establishment of this message in verses 1-3.  "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD...proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD...Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel..."

God has more to say about life than can be learned and implemented in a lifetime.  In our day, it is written down for us.  We have no excuse.  God has spoken on what we are to do and what we are to avoid.  His challenge for us is to listen, learn, and live obediently according to His word.

2. "Walk in all the way that I command you."
Our worship of God should remind us of our spiritual standing and commitment to the LORD.  The time should be inspiring, educational, encouraging and challenging.  But the proof of worship is what happens next.  Some leave their worship in a special place, like Judah did.  True followers take their worship with them and live radically different lives as a result.

3. "That it may be well with you."
This is God's goal in our personal relationship with Him.  He will meet our needs and protect us because we are His.

 

Does a loving God reject People?

 Read Jeremiah 6.

Are there any more sobering words in the universe than "the LORD has rejected them"? (v.30)  Yes.

While the context has to do with Judah experiencing God's punishment with 70 years of captivity, there are words even more devastating.  Jesus foretold of the final judgment when He will say to those who rejected Him, "Depart from me, you cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41)  "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)

In His steadfast love and grace, the LORD sent spokesmen to warn the people about their sin.  He offered forgiveness and restoration of themselves and their nation.  In His patience, God waited for them to respond.  "Behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.  Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in." (vv.10b-11)

The false prophets kept preaching, "'Peace, peace', when there is no peace." (v.14)

They could have experienced God's blessings instead.  They had a choice but refused to take it.  "They have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it." (v.19)

What did God want them to do?  They had spiritually lost their way.  The comparison in verse 16 is that of a traveler who took the wrong turn.  Instead of trying to figure it out on your own and making matters worse, just admit you are lost and go back to the place you know is right.  Pride keeps us going in the wrong direction.
1. "Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is."
The Bible was complete by the end of the first century A.D. and it is the only authoritative source of knowing God, receiving forgiveness of sin, and having eternal life.  Indeed, it is good news and the good way.

2. "Walk in it."
When one experiences a personal relationship with the LORD, there is a responsibility to keep learning and living for Him each day.

3. "Find rest for your souls."
The results are beyond compare.  Instead of aimlessly wandering through life, a follower of Jesus lives on purpose.  The storms of life come but "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

 

What will you do when the end Comes?

 Read Jeremiah 5.

The people of the city of Jerusalem had become so corrupt that there was not one person "who does justice and seeks truth."  Jeremiah thought that perhaps this was due to ignorance.  The people did not know what God expected.  But he discovered that the same corruption of sin existed among those who knew better.

The LORD reminded them of some of His blessings.  He provided for them and took care of them.  Yet, they used their health and strength to sin.  Even when warned by the prophets of God, they said, "He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us." (v.12)  The false prophets and priests kept up their messages of encouragement, peace and prosperity.  It was popular preaching.  "My people love to have it so." (v.31a)

God's judgment came, just as He said.  "As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours."  Some lost their lives.  All lost their homes, possessions, and the nation.  The Babylonians overran them like attacking wild animals (v.6).

The people of Judah were not prepared for what was about to take place.  They thought everything would continue as it has been and become even better in the future.   God's question to them was, "But what will you do when the end comes?" (v.31b)

Just as they were warned and God's temporary judgment fell upon Judah, in the same manner every person must answer God's question about the end of this life and eternal judgment for personal sin.

The return of Christ is an unfulfilled fact.  Judgment is coming upon all the ungodly.  Hell is real; a place of eternal punishment for those who reject God's offer of forgiveness in Jesus.  "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3:10)

For those of us who know the truth, be prepared.  For those who do not know, the clear message is to prepare now.  Forgiveness from Jesus and eternal life is only a prayer away.

 

3 mistakes that will bring God's Judgment

 Read Jeremiah 4.

"Return," the LORD declared to His wayward people.  But they did not.

Jeremiah saw the consequences for Judah in advance.  The coming events were terrifying.  "Blow the trumpet" of warning.  Sound the alarm.  "Cry aloud."  Why?  Because God's judgment on the nation's sin was about to take place.  "The fierce anger of the LORD" (v.8) will come in the form of an enemy "from the north" (v.6).

Sure enough, God used the Babylonians to destroy the land and take many of the people away as captives.  The invasion is described as being like a lion charging out of his hiding place to attack his prey (v.7).  They would sweep across the land as quickly and brutally as a scorching hot wind (v.11).  "Chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles" (v.13).  The people of Judah would run for their lives, leaving their cities deserted.

What caused God to drop His protection and allow this to happen?
"Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you." (v.18)

What did they do exactly to cause this judgment?
1. They refused to remove the "detestable things" from their lives and turn wholeheartedly to God. (v.1)
The people loved their sin more than wanting to live for the LORD.

2. They listened to the wrong people and believed a false message of hope. (vv.9-10).
The prophets of God had been warning them all along and calling the nation to repent.  But false prophets and ungodly leaders spoke only of peace and prosperity.  When the disaster struck, some then would blame God for not telling the truth.  He did tell them the truth.  They did not want to hear it and so they turned to those who had a message they liked better.

3. They learned about evil instead of learning how to live for God.  (v.22)
"For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding.  They are 'wise'--in doing evil!  But how to do good they know not."  Dr. Bill Bright used to say that people are not Gospel hardened.  They are Gospel ignorant.  They have either never heard or never taken the time to know a real relationship with God and discover the truth from His word. 

Out of His goodness, the Lord continues to call for individuals to come to Him.

 

 

Spiritual Adultery

 Read Jeremiah 3.

God's people are depicted as a wife and the LORD as the husband.  There was a commitment for life to exclusive love.  But, Judah had not only turned away from God, she gave her spiritual affections to anything and anyone who came along. 

Judah continued to act this way without shame.  Meanwhile, regarding the LORD, the people claimed, "My father, you are the friend of my youth..." (v.4).  This is much like those who went to church early in life, perhaps even made a profession of faith, but their living betrays the faith they claim.

So, God withheld His blessings on the land (v.3).  The people seemed to not have made the connection between their sin and what was happening to them.  In addition, they did not pay attention and take to heart what had happened to those around them.  God judged Israel and the northern kingdom fell.  Judah thought they could continue to do whatever they wanted and get away with it.  No one gets away with sin.

Yet, like a grieving husband, the LORD in His great mercy still called to them.  Three times He urged them to "Return."  When a person comes to realize the fathomless love of God and how great His mercy is, they humbly will repent of their wrong-doing and return.

What does God want when the wayward returns?
1. Acknowledge the guilt. (v.13)
First, one must realize they are guilty of violating God's claim upon their lives and confess their sin to Him.

2. Believe that He alone is LORD. (v.23)
Pursuing all other spiritual lovers is adulterous.  God will not share His glory with anyone or anything else.  It must be an exclusive and eternal commitment.

3. Experience the results. (v.22)
God promises, "I will heal your faithlessness."  There is only one cure in the universe for sin and shame.  There is only one source of forgiveness.  Jesus has paid our debt on the cross, once and for all.

 

 

Have you Forgotten?

 Read Jeremiah 2.

God called Jeremiah to be His spokesperson.  Next, He began to give this new prophet the messages to deliver on His behalf. 

At the end of Genesis, the descendants of Abraham were still a family.  In Exodus the Jews developed into a nation of people.  Their freedom from slavery is consistently looked back upon as a starting point in their national relationship with the LORD.  What characterized them in those early days?  Israel may have forgotten, but God remembered very well and said so in verses 2-3.

1. Your devotion.
In Hebrew the word is "kindness" and refers to how they responded to God.  He had rescued them from the intolerable bondage of Egypt.  He had demonstrated His power for them time after time.  How could they not be fully devoted to Him?

2. Your love.
They had intense, emotional affection for the LORD.  The comparison is those feelings a bride has for her groom.  She cannot wait to be with the object of his love.

3. Your following me.
Like a couple in love walking everywhere together is how God viewed their early days of relationship.  They willingly followed Him wherever He directed.  He led them through the Red Sea and into a wilderness with no resources.  Yet, He supplied all their needs.
 
4. Your holiness.
Just as the first part of the harvest was to be treated as sacred and given to the LORD in appreciation, so Israel was set apart to Himself.  They were not to be like everyone else.  They were His people and were to represent Him faithfully to an unbelieving world.

What happened?  That is God's question in this chapter.  The answer is they forgot.  They took Him for granted.  Instead of remembering that He is the Creator, they became evolutionists and believed they originated from other sources (v.17).  They worshiped things of their own invention.  They "went after worthlessness, and became worthless" (v.5b).

In Revelation 2:4, Jesus called out the church at Ephesus for having "abandoned the love you had at first."  It is good for us to intentionally and regularly remember how God delivered us, saved us, forgave us, and how we promised our lives to follow Christ at the beginning.  Every day can be/should be a renewal of our love and devotion to Jesus.

To be used of God

 Read Jeremiah 1.

He was born the son of a priest who served the tribe of Benjamin in the kingdom of Judah.  His ministry spanned from 627 B.C to 586 B.C. when Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians.  Though his preaching primarily targeted Judah, his appointment was to the Gentiles also ("nations" v.5).

What do we learn about God and ourselves here in reading this chapter?
1. God has preconception knowledge about each life. (v.5a)
The LORD is not only aware of us in advance due to His Omniscience, but knows every intimate detail about us.

2. God is the giver of each life. (v.5b)
As Psalm 139 explains, we are not biological accidents.  In the womb, our loving LORD sees and superintends who we are from the very beginning.  Life begins before our date of birth.

3. God has plans for each life. (v.5c)
The LORD does not waste His time.  He has a purpose for every individual and their being alive.  With God as the Owner of life and the planner of life, it is only when one aligns themselves with Him that true fulfillment may be realized.

4. God has an appointment for each life. (v.5d)
His plan has specific times and places for it to be carried out.  Things that are alive grow and develop in seasons.  The way God chooses to use an individual and the places of their influence most often changes over time. 

Jeremiah's response to God's plan for his life is typical.  He expressed his inadequacy.  God reassured him with His promises.  We are God's design, not our own.  It is His plan, not ours.  He is "watching over my word to perform it" (v.11).  Ours is the privilege and honor to be used of God in whatever way He chooses.