today's meditation (Jer.48) Finding Restoration and Joy

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 48:1-47) Concerning Moab. This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says:

     “Woe to Nebo, for it has been destroyed;
     Kiriathaim has been put to shame, it has been captured;
     The high stronghold has been put to shame and shattered.
2   There is no longer praise for Moab;
     In Heshbon they have devised disaster against her:
     ‘Come and let’s cut her off from being a nation!’
     You too, Madmen, will be silenced;
     The sword will follow you.
3   The sound of an outcry from Horonaim,
     ‘Devastation and great destruction!’
4   Moab is broken,
     Her little ones have sounded out a cry of distress.
5   For they will go up by the ascent of Luhith
     With continual weeping;
     For at the descent of Horonaim
     They have heard the anguished cry of destruction.
6   Flee, save yourselves,
     So that you may be like a juniper in the wilderness.
7   For because of your trust in your own achievements and treasures,
     You yourself will also be captured;
     And Chemosh will go off into exile
     Together with his priests and his leaders.
8   A destroyer will come to every city,
     So that no city will escape;
     The valley also will be ruined
     And the plateau will be destroyed,
     As the Lord has said.
9   Give wings to Moab,
     For she will flee away;
     And her cities will become a desolation,
     Without inhabitants in them.
10 Cursed is the one who does the Lord’s work negligently,
     And cursed is the one who restrains his sword from blood.

11 “Moab has been at ease since his youth;
     He has also been peaceful, like wine on its dregs,
     And he has not been poured from vessel to vessel,
     Nor has he gone into exile.
     Therefore he retains his flavor,
     And his aroma has not changed.

12 Therefore behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will send to him those who tip vessels, and they will tip him over, and they will pour out his vessels and smash his jars. 13 And Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, just as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence.

14 How can you say, ‘We are warriors,
     And men competent for battle’?
15 Moab has been destroyed and men have gone up to his cities;
     His choicest young men have also gone down to the slaughter,”
     Declares the King, whose name is the Lord of armies.
16 “The disaster of Moab will soon come,
     And his catastrophe has hurried quickly.
17 Mourn for him, all you who live around him,
     And all of you who know his name;
     Say, ‘How the mighty scepter has been broken,
     A staff of splendor!’
18 Come down from your glory
     And sit on the parched ground,
     O daughter living in Dibon,
     For the destroyer of Moab has come up against you,
     He has ruined your strongholds.
19 Stand by the road and keep watch,
     You inhabitant of Aroer;
     Ask him who flees and her who escapes
     And say, ‘What has happened?’
20 Moab has been put to shame, for it has been shattered.
     Wail and cry out;
     Declare by the Arnon
     That Moab has been destroyed.

21 “Judgment has also come upon the plain, upon Holon, Jahzah, and against Mephaath, 22 against Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim, 23 against Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, and Beth-meon, 24 against Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the cities of the land of Moab, far and near. 25 The horn of Moab has been cut off, and his arm broken,” declares the Lord. 26 “Make him drunk, for he has become arrogant toward the Lord; so Moab will vomit, and he also will become a laughingstock. 27 Now was Israel not a laughingstock to you? Or was he caught among thieves? For whenever you speak about him you shake your head in scorn.

28 Leave the cities and live among the rocky cliffs,
     You inhabitants of Moab,
     And be like a dove that nests
     Beyond the mouth of the chasm.
29 We have heard of the pride of Moab—he is very proud—
     Of his haughtiness, his pride, his arrogance, and his self-exaltation.
30 I know his fury,” declares the Lord,
     “But it is futile;
     His idle boasts have accomplished nothing.
31 Therefore I will wail for Moab,
     For all of Moab I will cry out;
     I will moan for the men of Kir-heres.
32 More than the weeping for Jazer 
     I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah!
     Your tendrils stretched across the sea,
     They reached to the sea of Jazer;
     Upon your summer fruits and your grape harvest
     The destroyer has fallen.
33 So joy and rejoicing are removed 
     From the fruitful field, and from the land of Moab.
     And I have eliminated the wine from the wine presses;
     No one will tread them with shouting,
     The shouting will not be shouts of joy.

34 From the outcry at Heshbon to Elealeh, to Jahaz they have raised their voice, from Zoar to Horonaim, and to Eglath-shelishiyah; for even the waters of Nimrim will become desolate. 35 And I will put an end to Moab,” declares the Lord, “the one who offers sacrifice on the high place and the one who burns incense to his gods.

36 “Therefore My heart makes a sound like flutes for Moab; My heart also makes a sound like flutes for the men of Kir-heres. Therefore they have lost the abundance it produced. 37 For every head is shaved bald, and every beard cut short; there are gashes on all the hands, and sackcloth around the waists. 38 On all the housetops of Moab and in its public squares there is mourning everywhere; for I have broken Moab like an undesirable vessel,” declares the Lord. 39 “How shattered it is! How they have wailed! How Moab has turned his back—he is ashamed! So Moab will become a laughingstock and an object of terror to all around him.”

40 For this is what the Lord says:
     “Behold, one will fly swiftly like an eagle
     And spread out his wings against Moab.
41 Kerioth has been captured
     And the strongholds have been seized,
     So the hearts of the warriors of Moab on that day
     Will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
42 Moab will be destroyed from being a people 
     Because he has become arrogant toward the Lord.
43 Terror, pit, and snare are coming upon you,
     Inhabitant of Moab,” declares the Lord.
44 “The one who flees from the terror
     Will fall into the pit,
     And the one who climbs up out of the pit
     Will be caught in the snare;
     For I will bring upon her, upon Moab,
     The year of their punishment,” declares the Lord.

45 “In the shadow of Heshbon
     The fugitives stand without strength;
     For a fire has spread out from Heshbon
     And a flame from the midst of Sihon,
     And it has devoured the forehead of Moab
     And the scalps of the loud revelers.
46 Woe to you, Moab!
     The people of Chemosh have perished;
     For your sons have been taken away captive,
     And your daughters into captivity.
47 Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab 
     In the latter days,” declares the Lord.

This is the extent of the judgment on Moab.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In this passage we can see that God doesn't want to punish anyone, but where there is sin, there is death.  God is holy and only in Him can a person find everlasting life.  All we have to do is go to Him for salvation with humble hearts, being forgiven of our sins, which is arrogance against the Lord.  And taking on His righteousness, our efforts to serve God will not be in vain.  In His strength and wisdom, we are able to do His work diligently because He equips us and gives us what we need.  In Him, we find true and eternal restoration and joy.  

today's meditation (Jer.47) Finding Peace

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 47:1-7) The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh conquered Gaza. 2 This is what the Lord says:

     “Behold, waters are going to rise from the north 
     And become an overflowing torrent,
     And overflow the land and everything that is in it,
     The city and those who live in it;
     And the people will cry out,
     And every inhabitant of the land will wail.
3   Because of the noise of the galloping hoofs of his stallions,
     The roar of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels,
     The fathers have not turned back for their children,
     Because of the debility of their hands,
4   Because of the day that is coming 
     To destroy all the Philistines,
     To eliminate from Tyre and Sidon
     Every surviving ally;
     For the Lord is going to destroy the Philistines,
     The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.
5   Baldness has come upon Gaza;
     Ashkelon has been destroyed.
     Remnant of their valley,
     How long will you gash yourself?
6   Ah, sword of the Lord,
     How long will you not be quiet?
     Withdraw into your sheath;
     Rest and stay still.
7   How can it be quiet,
     When the Lord has given it an order?
     Against Ashkelon and against the sea shore—
     There He has summoned it.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

When the Lord has determined something, it will happen.  But the Lord is also fair and just in all circumstances.  He gives everyone opportunity to go to Him for forgiveness of sins and salvation.  Just as God asks the Philistines in verse 5, "How long will you gash yourself?"  How long will a person worship and trust in other gods?  And in verse 3, how long will a person depend on their own strength, in their own way, even after they are debilitated from fighting?

The Lord, who is all-knowing, already knows who is going to become a believer or not, and He knows when.  So at the right time, when Jesus returns, there will be physical peace on earth.  For now, we can find an inner spiritual peace in the Lord Jesus.  No need to rely on our puny strength, He wants to guide us in His almighty power and strength.  No need to harm ourselves to get anyone's attention, the Lord sees and knows everything, He wants to bring us healing, restoration and peace!

today's meditation (Jer.46) Finding Hope

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 46:1-28) That which came as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.

2 To Egypt, concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates at Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

3   “Set up the buckler and shield,
     And advance to the battle!
4   Harness the horses,
     And mount the steeds,
     Take your stand with helmets on!
     Polish the spears,
     Put on the coats of armor!
5   Why have I seen it?
     They are terrified,
     They are retreating,
     And their warriors are defeated
     And have taken refuge in flight,
     Without facing back.
     Terror is on every side!”
     Declares the Lord.
6   Let not the swift man flee,
     Nor the warrior escape.
     In the north beside the river Euphrates
     They have stumbled and fallen.
7   Who is this that rises like the Nile,
     Like the rivers whose waters surge?
8   Egypt rises like the Nile,
     And like the rivers whose waters surge;
     And He has said, “I will rise and cover that land;
     I will destroy the city and its inhabitants.”
9   Go up, you horses, and drive wildly, you chariots,
     So that the warriors may march forward:
     Cush and Put, who handle the shield,
     And the Lydians, who handle and bend the bow.
10 For that day belongs to the Lord God of armies,
     A day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes;
     And the sword will devour and be satisfied,
     And drink its fill of their blood;
     For there will be a slaughter for the Lord God of armies,
     In the land of the north at the river Euphrates.
11 Go up to Gilead and obtain balm,
     Virgin daughter of Egypt!
     You have used many remedies in vain;
     There is no healing for you.
12 The nations have heard of your shame,
     And the earth is full of your cry of distress;
     For one warrior has stumbled over another,
     And both of them have fallen down together.

13 This is the message which the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:

14 “Declare in Egypt and proclaim in Migdol,
     Proclaim also in Memphis and Tahpanhes;
     Say, ‘Take your stand and get yourself ready,
     For the sword has devoured those around you.’
15 Why have your powerful ones been cut down?
     They do not stand because the Lord has thrust them away.
16 They have repeatedly stumbled;
     Indeed, they have fallen, one against another.
     Then they said, ‘Get up, and let’s go back
     To our own people and our native land,
     Away from the sword of the oppressor!’
17 They shouted there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is nothing but a big noise;
     He has let the appointed time pass by!’
18 As I live,” declares the King,
     Whose name is the Lord of armies,
     “One certainly shall come who is like Tabor among the mountains,
     Or like Carmel by the sea.
19 Make your baggage ready for exile,
     Daughter living in Egypt,
     For Memphis will become a desolation;
     It will be destroyed and deprived of inhabitants.
20 Egypt is a pretty heifer,
     But a horsefly is coming from the north—it is coming!
21 Also her mercenaries in her midst
     Are like fattened calves,
     For they too have turned away and have fled together;
     They did not stand their ground.
     For the day of their disaster has come upon them,
     The time of their punishment.
22 Its sound moves along like a serpent;
     For they move on like an army
     And come to her as woodcutters with axes.
23 They have cut down her forest,” declares the Lord;
     “Certainly it will no longer be found,
     Even though they are more numerous than locusts
     And are without number.
24 The daughter of Egypt has been put to shame,
     Turned over to the power of the people of the north.”

25 The Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “Behold, I am going to punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt along with her gods and her kings, indeed, Pharaoh and those who trust in him. 26 I shall hand them over to those who are seeking their lives, that is, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to his officers. Afterward, however, it will be inhabited as in the days of old,” declares the Lord.

27 “But as for you, Jacob My servant, do not fear,
     Nor be dismayed, Israel!
     For, see, I am going to save you from far away,
     And your descendants from the land of their captivity;
     And Jacob will return and be undisturbed 
     And secure, with no one making him afraid.
28 Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares the Lord,
     “For I am with you.
     For I will make a complete destruction of all the nations 
      Where I have driven you,
      Yet I will not make a complete destruction of you;
      But I will correct you properly 
      And by no means leave you unpunished.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God will punish those who are not believers.  And if that isn't clear enough in this passage, verse 25 is even more specific!  Those who trust in themselves or in others or in other gods - and not in the Lord - will be included in that judgement.  Even if one is an Israelite!

God chose the Israelites to be the missionaries to the world (if you will), as a demonstration and a light  to the other nations of God's mighty power.  And even though He chose them, He will not look the other way when anyone - ANYONE - sins and doesn't humbly seek His forgiveness!

This passage is prophetic in two ways.  It was for their near future, which already happened.  And it is for the future, which is still to happen.  In the Tribulation, there will be the judgments on the world, which are the signs of Jesus' second coming.  Then Israel as a nation will believe.  Jesus will take them and anyone else becoming believers during those seven years into the Millennial kingdom.

This is a message of hope for Israel - as a nation  But the message of hope for everyone - then and right now - is that there is salvation through the Lord (Jesus Christ).  When we put our faith and trust in Him, we will be saved and have eternal life.  We will not have to face God's wrath or punishment, but with thankfulness and confidence, we will be able to stand before Him as a child of God to enjoy a personal relationship with our heavenly Father!

today's meditation (Jer.45) Considering Our Blessings

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 45:1-5) This is the message which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at Jeremiah’s dictation, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying: 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says to you, Baruch: 3 ‘You said, “Oh, woe to me! For the Lord has added grief to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.”’ 4 This is what you are to say to him: ‘This is what the Lord says: “Behold, what I have built I am going to tear down, and what I have planted I am going to uproot, that is, all the people of the land.” 5 But as for you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh,’ declares the Lord, ‘but I will give your life to you as plunder in all the places where you may go.’”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Oh how we complain when things aren't going well for us.  Instead, we should continue living as we should and consider all our blessings.  The Lord is so good!  He is sovereign!  And He knows what He is doing!!!

today's meditation (Jer.44) Doing Things God's Way

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 44:1-30) The word that came to Jeremiah for all the Jews living in the land of Egypt, those who were living in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and the land of Pathros, saying, 2 “This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘You yourselves have seen all the disaster that I have brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are in ruins and no one lives in them, 3 because of their wickedness which they committed to provoke Me to anger by continuing to burn sacrifices and to serve other gods whom they had not known, neither they, you, nor your fathers. 4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing which I hate.” 5 But they did not listen or incline their ears to turn from their wickedness, so as not to burn sacrifices to other gods. 6 Therefore My wrath and My anger gushed out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so they have become ruins and a desolation as it is this day. 7 Now then, this is what the Lord God of armies, the God of Israel says: “Why are you doing great harm to yourselves, to eliminate from yourselves man and woman, child and infant from among Judah, leaving yourselves without a remnant, 8 provoking Me to anger with the works of your hands, burning sacrifices to other gods in the land of Egypt where you are entering to reside, so that you may be eliminated and become a curse and a disgrace among all the nations of the earth? 9 Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah and the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 10 Yet they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My Law or My statutes, which I placed before you and before your fathers.”’

11 “Therefore this is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Behold, I am going to set My face against you for a disaster, even to eliminate all Judah. 12 And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have set their minds on entering the land of Egypt to reside there, and they will all meet their end in the land of Egypt; they will fall by the sword or meet their end by famine. From the small to the great, they will die by the sword and famine; and they will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation, and a disgrace. 13 And I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I have punished Jerusalem, with the sword, with famine, and with plague. 14 So there will be no survivor or refugee for the remnant of Judah who have entered the land of Egypt to reside there and then to return to the land of Judah, to which they are longing to return to live; for none will return except a few refugees.’”

15 Then all the men who were aware that their wives were burning sacrifices to other gods, along with all the women who were standing by, as a large assembly, including all the people who were living in Pathros in the land of Egypt, responded to Jeremiah, saying, 16 “As for the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we are not going to listen to you! 17 But we will certainly carry out every word that has proceeded from our mouths, by burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, just as we ourselves, our forefathers, our kings, and our leaders did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had plenty of food and were well off and saw no misfortune. 18 But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” 19 “And,” said the women, “when we were burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands that we made for her sacrificial cakes in her image, and poured out drink offerings to her?”

20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men and women—even to all the people who were giving him such an answer—saying, 21 “As for the smoking sacrifices that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your forefathers, your kings and your leaders, and the people of the land, did the Lord not remember them, and did all of this not come into His mind? 22 So the Lord was no longer able to endure it, because of the evil of your deeds, because of the abominations which you have committed; so your land has become a place of ruins, an object of horror, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as it is this day. 23 Since you have burned sacrifices and have sinned against the Lord and not obeyed the voice of the Lord nor walked in His Law, His statutes, or His testimonies, therefore this disaster has happened to you, as it has this day.”

24 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the Lord, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt! 25 This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled it with your hands, saying, “We will certainly perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.” By all means fulfill your vows, and be sure to perform your vows!’ 26 In return, hear the word of the Lord, all Judah who are living in the land of Egypt: ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name,’ says the Lord, ‘that My name shall never be invoked again by the mouth of anyone of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As the Lord God lives.” 27 Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword or by famine until they are completely gone. 28 Those who escape the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah few in number. Then all the remnant of Judah who have gone to the land of Egypt to reside there will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs. 29 And this will be the sign to you,’ declares the Lord, ‘that I am going to punish you in this place, so that you may know that My words will assuredly stand against you for harm.’ 30 This is what the Lord says: ‘Behold, I am going to hand Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt over to his enemies, to those who seek his life, just as I handed Zedekiah king of Judah over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy and was seeking his life.’”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Interesting how people will claim that they have done things God's way and that it didn't work - when they have never done things God's way.  Maybe they stepped foot in a church, or read a few words of the Bible.  Some might have even tried going through some of the motions.  But you are still only doing things your way - unless - you realize you are a sinner, and humbly go to Jesus to ask for forgiveness, which is to give your heart to the Lord, wanting Him to be your Lord and Savior.

And from these passages, we can see how the Lord gives people many, many opportunities to turn to Him.  He even speaks to people in various ways to get our attention.  Sometimes the Lord has gently said, "Follow Me."  And here we see Him being very firm, that if anyone doesn't follow Him, it will not go well.  Some people have to learn the hard way.  Others will choose never to learn.  Or we can choose to open our ears and listen for Him gently saying, "Follow Me."

(Psalm 19:7-11) 
7   The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
     The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8   The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
     The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9   The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
     The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold;
     Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, Your servant is warned by them;
     In keeping them there is great reward.

today's meditation (Jer.43) Testing the Lord

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 43:1-13) But as soon as Jeremiah, whom the Lord their God had sent to them, had finished telling all the people all the words of the Lord their God—that is, all these words— 2 Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You are not to enter Egypt to reside there’; 3 but Baruch the son of Neriah is inciting you against us in order to hand us over to the Chaldeans, so they will put us to death or exile us to Babylon!” 4 So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces, and all the people, did not obey the voice of the Lord to stay in the land of Judah. 5 Instead, Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the entire remnant of Judah who had returned from all the nations to which they had been scattered, in order to reside in the land of Judah— 6 the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, together with Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah— 7 and they entered the land of Egypt (for they did not obey the voice of the Lord) and went in as far as Tahpanhes.

8 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9 “Take some large stones in your hands and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes, in the sight of some of the Jews; 10 and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “Behold, I am going to send men and get My servant Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and I am going to set his throne over these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his canopy over them. 11 He will also come and strike the land of Egypt; those who are meant for death will be given over to death, and those for captivity to captivity, and those for the sword to the sword. 12 And I shall set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely. 13 He will also smash to pieces the obelisks of Heliopolis, which is in the land of Egypt; and the temples of the gods of Egypt he will burn with fire.”’”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

One would have to be arrogant to claim that God's words are a lie.  It is not wise to test the Lord by going against anything He has commanded.  The humble and wise person will test God by doing as He says.  This kind of test will only bring "success" as God will work things out for good.  And as we witness this, we will grow in our faith and trust.  

In raising our children, we taught them that true success in life is to strive to live in God's will, all in His strength and guidance.  We will stumble, but God is patient, gracious and good.  All we have to do is continue drawing closer to Him, and we will see and experience His goodness.

today's meditation (Jer.42) Avoiding Harsh Lessons

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Jeremiah 42:1-22) Then all the commanders of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the small to the great approached  2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our pleading come before you, and pray for us to the Lord your God for all this remnant—since we have been left only a few out of many, just as your own eyes now see us— 3 that the Lord your God will tell us the way in which we should walk, and the thing that we should do.” 4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the Lord your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the Lord gives you as an answer. I will not withhold a word from you.” 5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the Lord your God will send you to us. 6 Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well for us when we listen to the voice of the Lord our God.”

7 Now at the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he called for Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him, and for all the people from the small to the great, 9 and said to them, “This is what the Lord says, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your plea before Him: 10 ‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I will relent of the disaster that I have inflicted on you. 11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I am with you to save you and rescue you from his hand. 12 I will also show you compassion, so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own soil. 13 But if you are going to say, “We will not stay in this land,” so as not to listen to the voice of the Lord your God, 14 saying, “No, but we will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see war, or hear the sound of a trumpet, or hunger for bread, and we will stay there”; 15 then in that case listen to the word of the Lord, you remnant of Judah. This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “If you really set your minds to enter Egypt and go in to reside there, 16 then the sword, of which you are afraid, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the famine, about which you are anxious, will follow closely after you there in Egypt, and you will die there. 17 So all the people who set their minds to go to Egypt to reside there will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague; and they will have no refugees or survivors from the disaster that I am going to bring on them.”’”

18 For this is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “As My anger and wrath have gushed out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so My wrath will gush out on you when you enter Egypt. And you will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation, and a disgrace; and you will not see this place again.” 19 The Lord has spoken to you, you remnant of Judah, “Do not go to Egypt!” You know for certain that I have admonished you today. 20 For you have only deceived yourselves; for it is you who sent me to the Lord your God, saying, “Pray for us to the Lord our God; and whatever the Lord our God says, tell us so, and we will do it.” 21 So I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the Lord your God in whatever He has sent me to tell you. 22 And now you shall know for certain that you will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague in the place where you desire to go to reside.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

I find it fascinating that God took ten days to answer the people's question about what they were to do.  God knew that they were not sincere in their request, even though their phraseology changed from "the Lord YOUR God" to the Lord OUR God".  When they finally got their answer, it wasn't what they wanted  to hear, so they chose to disobey.  Because of their fear, it was always in their heart to go to Egypt.

Why do we think we are so smart?  How do we think we can fool God?  And the things that we fear are the things we tend to create - and/or - then - these are the things that God allows to happen.  Call it poetic justice, but these are harsh lessons we can avoid by just trusting God, knowing that He knows exactly how to deal with the things that we fear and worry about!