Compromising Our Faith 08.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday August 22, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 26-28 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2026-28&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the arrest of Jeremiah and the threat to put him to death; the prophecy of Judah's subjection to Nebuchadnezzar; Hananiah's false phrophecy and his death. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we can not compromise our faith in God's Word regardless of the dangers that we face by the world.

About twenty-two years before the defeat and destruction of Jerusalem, God commanded Jeremiah to speak to the people of Judah about their coming fate. "Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth." (Jeremiah 26:2-6). Shiloh was the place where the Tabernacle was first erected by Joshua after he entered the promised land (Joshua 18:). But God eventually abandoned the Tabernacle of Shiloh because of the nation's constant sinning. Now, Shiloh was nothing but empty ruins and today no one is sure of its exact location, a reminder of how sin destroys a nation.

This devastating message from God caused the people to hate him and threaten to put him to death. "Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die." (26:8).

However, Jeremiah remained faithful and was ready to die rather than to allow the fear of his outcome to keep him from being faithful to God. "Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God." (26:12-16). Today Christians in many countries face fierce persecution for no other reason than pleading for people to repent of their sins and worshipping of false gods and to turn their ways over to the One & Only True God.

During the early part of Zedekiah's reign, God commanded Jeremiah to make a yoke and put it on his own neck. "Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck," (27:2). This symbolized the coming captivity of Judah to Nebuchadnezzer. Though Jeremiah God declared, "I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him." (27:5-6).

When Jeremiah's prophecy was fulfilled and the Israelites were defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, it began the times of the Gentiles. "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (Luke 21:24). During the times of Gentiles the Jews will return to Jerusalem and once again become a nation before the coming of Jesus and His reign. God has not let us know when that time will come, but it could be today, the next week, or the next century and it is up to us to be prepared when that takes place. Let us faithfully and diligently tell others how they too can be prepared for His return. Failure to be prepared will result in eternal damnation for all who do not receive Christ as their Savior and Lord.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Jeremiah, who was falsely accused by the priests and the false prophets (Jeremiah 26:8-9). Our Lord was threatened and falsely accused by the religious rulers of His day. (Luke 22:66-23:2; John 8:48,59)

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You know those to whom you are leading us to share the Gospel message. Sometimes these folks are on our hearts for years and we've prayed for them time and again. Other times we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak to an individual we've never met. We know that you have given us all authority in heaven and on earth to go and make disciples of all nations. It is not in our own strength, wisdom, personality or talents that we share the message of salvation to those who are lost. It is in the power of Your Holy Spirit that we go forth bringing the message of hope and forgiveness to those who seek it. Help us not to be discouraged when we don't see an immediate response for we know that we are all involved in the planting of spiritual seeds. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a wonderful, blessed day and weekend.
God bless,
Christina

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