August 15, 2013 (Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 96; John 17)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “But the people replied, ‘Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.” Jeremiah 18:12 NLT
Observation: Jeremiah was sent to warn Judah and Jerusalem that God was planning disaster for them instead of good. God wanted them to turn from their evil ways and do what was right, but the people rejected the messenger God sent as well as the message God gave. They continued to live the way they wanted to and stubbornly followed their own evil desires. Like clay in the potter’s hand Israel had not turned out like God had desired, so He was about to crush them into a lump of clay again so He could start over. Their land was about to become desolate as a monument to their stupidity. This very difficult message Jeremiah had to proclaim made him the laughing stock around town. When he spoke the words would burst out, “Violence and destruction” was what he proclaimed. Yet if Jeremiah tried to keep silent God’s Word would burn like a fire in his heart, even in his bones. The message that burned like fire shut up in Jeremiah’s bones was a message of violence and destruction the people did not want to hear.
Application: The message Jeremiah was commissioned to communicate and the people to which Jeremiah was sent to proclaim the message to are a picture perfect replica of our society today. Due to our lives being filled with all sorts of evil desires and our hearts being hardened against the instruction of God, we find our nation in the same condition as the nation of Israel was in Jeremiah’s day. We have rejected the messengers God has sent and the message God gave them to proclaim. We, just like the people of Judah, continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires. “Don’t waste your breath” is what we say to the fire and brimstone preachers of our day. Many “Priest” proclaim a message of peace and safety just as the priest did in Jeremiah’s day. They were wrong then, and they are wrong today. The message of God that burns like a fire shut up in bones is often a message of violence and destruction that no one wants to hear, accept, or heed.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Your word clearly teaches us what happens to nations that reject Your word and commandments. Lord help us! Open up the blinded eyes of Americans! Send us Jeremiah’s that will boldly proclaim the message You give! Anoint our ears to hear and our hearts to receive Your message. Lead us to repentance and we will praise You for the privilege, in Jesus name, Amen!