RE Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12, 19:1-15 (day six)
“Then break the jar while those who go with you are watching, and say, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says, I will smash this nation and this city just as this potter’s jar is smashed and cannot be repaired.’ ” (19:10-11) It is called “the point of no return”. Aviation term referring to the point in a flight, due to fuel consumption, it becomes impossible to return to the base from which the plane took off. Do people ever reach this place? When the consequences come and it becomes impossible to get back “what we had”? The Bible says yes. Parents who love children warn them of such things. Pastors who love congregations. In Jeremiah 18, Judah is compared to wet clay. Elastic. By Jeremiah 19, the picture is different. Now the clay is hard and unyielding. The time for justice has come. “He found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17)
Listening, Looking, Learning
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12; 19:1-15 (day five)
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Go down at once to the potter’s house; there I will reveal My words to you.” I bet he had seen potters doing their work lots of times. Yet this time, Jeremiah saw and obtained amazing insight and instruction from The Lord. Ever wonder how many times we overlook or pass by opportunities and circumstances that the Lord would use to teach, guide, and encourage us? Maybe a teachable heart begins with humble prayer asking God to help us see and learn throughout the day (about Him and ourselves). “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Ray Stedman describes this attitude; “It makes every incident in your experience a continual challenge to see God at work. At your office, at your kitchen sink, your desk, your nursing stand at the hospital, your room in the retirement home, your classroom at school you are being continually exposed to situations which are a challenge to God in you in your circumstances.” (commentary on Philippians 2:13).
Clay
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12; 19:1-15 (day four)
Jeremiah says that God is looking for clay. (Verse 18:6) Clay has no thoughts, no strengths, no weaknesses, and no will of its own. God is looking for people who are willing to allow Him to create them however He chooses. Have you ever told God what your strengths are so that He can shape a plan for your life using them? Have you ever told Him that particular areas of your life are weaknesses for you so He won’t try to use you in those ministry areas? God can shape and mold your life however He chooses. He is the potter, we are the clay. The sooner we learn that lesson, the sooner we will be effective in His ministry. It is our willingness to submit to Him…not our skills and talents…that makes us useful vessels. Yield your life to the potter’s hand…His skill will bear fruit!
Alarm
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-17; 19:1-20:6 (Day Three)
“Does the snow of Lebanon
ever vanish from its rocky slopes?” When streams dry up, life suffers. What is true of the physical realm is true first of the spiritual realm—not because the physical realm is merely an inferior copy of the spiritual realm. It isn’t. But before the material universe came to be, God existed. He created the universe—everything that is—to function in a certain way—and only in that way. When streams dry up, people become alarmed, because they know the hardship that’s coming. Their physical well being is in danger. What is true of the physical is true first of the spiritual. Has righteousness ceased to flow in our lives? Should we be concerned?
What is Pride Worth?
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12; 19:1-15 (day two)
I am going to bring on this city and the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words. (19:15) Is getting your way worth it? Jeremiah could not have been a popular figure when he delivered these words, but the reality is that the truth was painful. Maybe you know someone like this; unwilling to listen, bend their will, or repent. At times we even champion people with iron wills, but at what cost to their souls. We are not in a position to negotiate with God, we don’t have anything to bargain with. The arrogance that may work in a corporate setting will be smashed like a clay pot. We don’t have to be this way, God is offering to refine and shape up into His character if we will let go of ours.
Does God change His mind?
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12; 19:1-15 (day one)
It is a trick question, I suppose. The true answer is that God never acts contrary to His own word and character. His does, however, leave Himself room for “flexibility” depending on how His word is received. He can (and does) warn nations of coming judgment. If that nation repents, He “will relent from the calamity planned” (18:8) He can (and does) announce His blessing on nations. If that nation becomes overconfident, takes His blessings for granted and moves into evil, He “thinks better of the good with which I had promised to bless it” (18:10) From our side, it may appear that He is changing His mind. From His perspective, God is ruling the world with absolute moral consistency. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. The one who sows to his own flesh . . .corruption; the one who sows to the Spirit. . .eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)
Stand at the gate!
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 7:1-16 (day seven)
“Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message.” (v 2) Early in my years as a minister, I was too timid. For fear of offending (or of being rejected) I spoke softly, rarely taking the risks necessary to be noticed and heard. Probably a common “young” mistake. Maybe the reason that God instructed Jeremiah to “stand in the gate of the Lord’s house”. Three gates lead from the Court of the Gentiles into the Holy Place. To climb those stairs and turn back to face the people in that courtyard would have placed Jeremiah up high and visible to thousands. Paul had similar words for his young preacher-boy, Timothy. “Let no one look down on you because you are young, but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself!” (1 Timothy 4:12) “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross” says the old song. Encouragement you need?
What does a sinner need?
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 7:1-16 (day six)
“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it ‘a robbers den’ “. (Matthew 21:13 and Jeremiah 7:11) Jesus thought often about Jeremiah. Identified with him. Was inspired by him. Even quoted him. Days before the cross, Jesus used Jeremiah’s words. The same mistake was being made. A robbers den is a place where criminals go to feel safe without repentance. Temple worship was serving a similar purpose . No urgency of the conscience. No reminder of a glorious and holy God. No call to righteousness. Just “feel good” sermons, patriotic pride and fellowship. A place to rest, not repent. 6 years ago, I didn’t need encouragement. I needed surgery! Massive, painful surgery. Strange. Short-term hurt was long-term help. Spiritually true, Jesus believes. Encouragement or conviction? Community or a call to repentance? What does a SINNER need? What does a sinner NEED? These are the courageous questions that motivated the Savior.
Heed His Call
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 7:1-16 (day four)
Jeremiah refers to Shiloh, which was a period of Israel’s history over 300 years before. They had the same problems then…they rejected God’s principles, rejected His dominion over them, and worshipped other gods. Then, they would go to the Temple and expect God to honor them, provide for them, and protect them. God destroyed the Temple in discipline. Now, here in Jeremiah’s time, Judah is doing the same thing. God warns Jeremiah not to even pray for them because He won’t listen. (V. 16) They will be punished. Fast forward 600+ years…Jesus is in the Temple quoting Jeremiah that they are doing the same thing. They are making God’s house a den of thieves. Israel will not learn. How about us? Do we believe God will not punish us when we disobey? Are we so disoriented to God that we can’t even recognize our sin? Proverbs 1:33 says, “But he who listens to Me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of fear.” Proverbs 1:20-33 is good wisdom to follow.
Ears
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 7:1-16 (Day Three)
“Hear the word of the Lord.” God does not waste his words. If he knows that people are still capable of turning theirs ears to him and hearing him and heeding his word, he will speak. Therefore, no matter how harsh the message, if we will hear, we have not passed beyond hope. When the scriptures speak, what kind of reception do your ears give it? Do your ears signal the need to yawn? Do your ears notify your mind to start wandering? Do your ears tell you that somebody else ought to hear this? Or do your ears tell you that you need to change course? What happens to you when the Bible says to you, “Hear the word of the Lord”?