August 12, 2013 (Jeremiah 10-12; John 15)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 12:17 NLT
Observation: Jeremiah proclaimed a harsh message, which came directly from God. Those that heard his message turned against him and were plotting to kill him. Even his own brothers, members of his own family, turned against him and raised complaints against him. The Lord instructed Jeremiah not to trust them no matter how pleasantly they spoke. The Lord gave Jeremiah a message that was for many nations and many generations. The one thing the Lord desires from His people is their obedience. He has the perfect plan for their lives and will lead them beside still waters through green pastures. He will protect and defend His faithful ones, yet the book of Jeremiah proves He will also allow evil ones to be destroyed even if they are among His own people.
Application: The message and warnings recorded in Jeremiah are just as relevant and applicable today. It’s God that builds a nation up, and it’s God that brings one down. “But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Its one thing to learn about God’s word, it’s all together a different thing to live out what you’ve learned. Many people have been educated by Theologians and have earned degrees of higher learning, but few actually put into practice what they’ve learned. Learning about God is easy, living the way He commands not so much. To live according to the standards of God we must be fully committed. A half-hearted commitment will only lead to discouragement. Obedience is what pleases God. He does not desire our money or our earthly material things, He desires our heart and we must love Him with all of it. We must surrender and submit fully. The biggest lie the church ever led people to believe was that living for Christ is easy.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I know I have failed to be obedient to You. I’m sorry, please forgive me! My desire is to please You and do what Your word tells me. Help me crucify myself so that I can live wholly unto You. Strengthen me to stay where I need to stay even if the nation around me goes astray. Help me see You and hear You. My soul is desperate and in despair! Rise up Lord, come to my aid. Please don’t delay any longer my heart fails within me and my spirit is crushed! Provide and protect me with Your mercy and grace, in Jesus name, Amen!