Meditation

08/23/2022

“Ten days later the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. So he called together Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him and all the people from the least to the greatest. He said to them, ‘This what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says: If you stay in this, I will build you up and not ear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now ear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.” (Jeremiah 42:7-11 – God Takes the Initiative Through His Word)

The officers realized how dependent they were on God and asked Jeremiah to pray for their guidance. They refused to accept God’s answer. Prayer is of no avail if we do not trust God’s answer. Therefore the word of God did not come automatically to the prophets. They had to wait until God spoke. Jeremiah waited ten days. The word did not come in response to prophetic prayer but in God’s timing. As so often, the word from God placed conditional demands on the hearers. They had to stay in the land rather than flee to Egypt. They had shown their faith in God’s promise of presence and protection and trust God’s power was greater than the Babylonian army.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You have taught us that faith and trust in You is the key to how we must pray to You and than patiently wait for Your response. Today we continue to pray our troops serving in faraway lands and those in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, that a peaceful solution might be found and let the fighting be silenced. We also pray for those who are suffering in body, mind, and/or spirit, with friends, family, and for those we don’t know. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“The world wants your best, God wants your all.”

KNOWING GOD:

“‘Do not prophesy,’ their prophets say. ‘Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us.’ Should it be said, O House of Jacob: ‘Is the Spirit of the Lord angry? Does he do such things?’Don not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?” (Micah 2:6-7 – God Takes the Initiative Through His Word)

God’s word is resigned to help His people, but too often we prefer the word of the false prophet. God is angry because He cares for His believers and for His people, whose actions He hopes can be superior to the behavior they have settled for. God sends His prophets so people may live the abundant, right quality of life.

I AM:

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—-the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:25-27 – God Takes the Initiative Through His Word)

Revelation serves God’s church, calling people to proclaim God’s word to all people. The word brings hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Paul’s servanthood came by divine call so the gospel might be proclaimed to all people. He was servant (Greek – diakonos) not only of Chris but also of the church. Christ’s called out servants do not seek to use the church for personal advantage. They re the church’s slaves for Christ’s advantage.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“In Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:5-6 – God Takes the Initiative Through His Word)”

The birth of Jesus fulfilled a long time expectation in Israel for a promised liberator to lead God’s people in keeping with His tender care. Cog had breathed this promise into the prophecy of Micah (5:2) and with it inspired hope in exiled Israel for centuries.