Ignoring God's Word 08.25.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Moday August 25, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 34-36 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2034-36&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jeremiah warning Zedekiah; the obedience of the Rechabites; and the scroll read by Jehundi that was destroyed. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that although the majority of people don't want to hear or read the Word of God, it is still God's only Guide for life.

God lead Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah of the fate of Judah, "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire: And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon." (Jeremiah 34:1-3). The Lord, who never changes, clearly outlines His judgment on those nations who will not repent of their wicked ways, but He also rewards those who do and when people among the nation chose to follow Him He will protect them and lead them to safety. We need to view all tragic circumastances as opportunites to prevail. Although Jesus suffered and died for our sins, He rose again even more powerful.

Four years later, Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptians, invaded Jerusalem and appointed Jehoiakim as his servant king, however Jehoiakim was a ruthless leader. God spoke to Jeremiah and instructed him to write everything that He said to him on a scroll. Jeremiah recorded the judgement of God against the sins of Judah. "And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book." (36:1-4). God's purpose for this was to lead the people to repent and return to Him.

The scroll was read to three groups of people, first to the people in the Temple on a day of fast, then to the people of Judah, "Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD's house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities." (36:6). Then the scroll was read to the princes of the government, "Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes. Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people." (36:12-13). They were dismayed and terrified by the prophet's message and reported the matter to the king who then took to scroll and burned it.

Some today seal their fate by refusing to read the truth that God considers necessary to fulfill His will. Fire can consume books, but it cannot consume the inspired Word of God. The Bible has withstood similar fierce attacks for centuries, even today, but no matter how many Bibles are destroyed no one can take away the true Word of God. He truly is the truth, the life, and the way and no one can make that disappear. Jesus declared, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Luke 21:32-33).

We too are warned, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews (10:23-25).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the One who desires liberty for those in bondage (Jeremiah 34:13-16). Jesus is the Spirit of the Lord and brings deliverance to those who are captive. (Luke 4:18-19).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of perplexing situations that develop in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your sovereign power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of suffering. Only a God like You can help us not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. As we share in Your sufferings, we also share in Your glory. Be glorifed in our lives; in the good, in the bad, and in the mysterious circumstances of our lives. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day and be blessed.
God Bless,
Christina

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