Day 214

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Called at a Young Age

Jeremiah Introduction

The book of Jeremiah is the autobiography of one of Judah's greatest prophets, who challenged his nation's greatest errors. Apostasy, idolatry, perverted worship, moral decay—for these and other sins judgment is foretold. But Judah's response is not repentance but rejection, as the prophet experiences opposition, isolation and imprisonment. Through forty years of faithful duty, Jeremiah sees many of his prophecies fulfilled, including God's final judgment on Judah: her downfall and exile.

Scripture

August 1—Jeremiah 1-3: Prophet of Judgment

Observation

Called at a young age, and at first reluctant to answer (1:6), Jeremiah undertakes the age-old function of being God's prophet to wayward Judah. Like the great prophets before him, Jeremiah is told to pronounce judgment on those who have forsaken his way; but unlike his predecessors, Jeremiah will proclaim Judah's last chance. His message will contain God's bold ultimatum. "Turn back to me, or face destruction." Judah stands at the crossroads, and failure to heed the prophet's voice this time will have lasting consequences.

Application

Find a tennis ball and hold it several feet above the floor. Let go, and observe the result. Does the ball hit the floor and bounce, or does it float lazily to the ceiling? Unless you live under water or in outer space, the ball will fall, obeying one of the strictest laws of physics: the law of gravity. You live each day under the influence of that law. And anyone who has ever slipped in a bathtub can attest to the unavoidable and sometimes severe consequences of even an accidental violation.

Just as there are laws of physics that govern the physical universe, so God has established spiritual and moral laws to govern your relationship with him. Careless indifference to those laws brings consequences just as swift and severe as does the disregard of God's physical laws. What Israel learned the hard way during Jeremiah's lifetime, you can learn the easy way from her sad example.

Find a small notebook and title it, "My Profit from God's Prophets." Keep it by your Bible this month and next. Use it to record lessons that you don't want or need to learn the hard way!

Prayer

Our Lord, our God! We know who our Shepherd is and we do not want for anything. Some of us were stubborn you had to drag us into Your marvelous light and we became one with you having the power to to just call on You. We have the Holy Spirit now and we are keeping our minds stayed on You. What an easy life the easy way! In this life we will be prosecuted and encounter many battles but You are right there with us leading the way. It's in Your Word and we trust Your Word and obey Your Word! Lord keep us, help us stay on this journey. It feels so good especially in light of what's to come. Thank you Lord for loving us! In Jesus name, Amen!




© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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