"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." (Lam 3:20-26).
In Lamentations Jeremiah is dismayed and in grief over the fall of Jerusalem. As he remembers all the difficulties he experienced as God's prophet during a time of crisis, he became despondent and perplexed. Jeremiah has been known as the weeping prophet. But that nick name does not do justice to the kind of man that he was. Yes Jeremiah often wept before God because of the physical and spiritual condition of his people. But Jeremiah was a courageous prophet who proclaimed God's word even in the face of great hostility and opposition. Oh, there were times when Jeremiah got so discouraged that he felt like throwing in the towel. But during these times Jeremiah knew how to get a hold of God in away that God could get a hold of him. Like Jeremiah we need to learn how to get a handle on our emotions before they get a handle on us.
Why was Jeremiah so despondent and discouraged? Because not only was he thinking about the past and present circumstances he was focused on the negative aspects of those circumstances. But notice that his heartache changed to hopefulness when he shifted his thinking from his past and present circumstances to the person and character of God.
Sometimes we view God through the lens of are circumstances and jump to conclusions about God. When what we need to do is view our circumstances through the lens and in the light of who God is. How do we do this?
I. The Power of Recall:
Once again Jeremiah shifted his thinking from his past and present circumstances to the person and Character of God. He said, “"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…” It says here that his soul was remembering the hard times and it brought him down. But then the prophet shifted his thinking. He writes, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…”
It’s amazing how God created our minds. So precious, so powerful and yet so vulnerable. God has given us the ability and supercharged that ability when we got saved, to be able to recall to our minds glorious truths that will lift us up out of the dungeon of despair and bring us to a place where we experience his hope, love and mercy.
Success in the Christian life, overcoming debilitating emotions, and freedom from habitual sins, all hinged on the power of recall. But this power, although it is given to us by God, must be exercised and developed.
Have you noticed that the list of the armor of God found in Ephesians 6, by which we do battle against the enemy of our souls, are primarily defensive. But there’s one definite offensive weapon that is crucial to our success in the Christian life and that is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The power of recall is energized by the spirit but the Spirit works together with the word of God. But sadly may Christians are not giving the Spirit much to work with because they are not daily filling their hearts and minds with the word of God. Notice what Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Are we spending time with the Lord? Are we allowing him to reveal himself to us through his word and storing up those revelations in our hearts so that they can be recalled in life’s battles against sin and debilitating emotions? We spend far too much time on trivial things and very little time with the Lord.
II. Focusing our minds on the Character of God:
Notice also not only the power of recall to lift us up and change our thinking, but what Jeremiah recalled.
1. “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed..." (The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;)
2. “…because his compassions fail not…” (…his mercies never come to an end…)
3. “They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.”
4. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Our heartaches will change to hopefulness through the power of recall and when we learn to shift our thinking from our past and present circumstances to the person and character of God.
III. Preaching to ourselves:
Notice also in verse 24 that Jeremiah was not only calling to his mind glorious thoughts about God but he was also preaching to himself. It’s been said that most of our unhappiness comes from listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves.
May we learn like Jeremiah to exercise and develop the power of recall, to focus our minds on the character of God in his relationship to us and may we quit listening to our negativity and begin preaching God’s truths and promises into our lives.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The delight of the Lord
"Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
We live in a world that takes pride in educational achievements, power and wealth. Although there is nothing wrong necessarily with anyone of these things, none of them in themselves impress God or bring God's blessings. We can have all those things, power, wealth and advanced education and slip in the shower and break our necks. All the wealth in the world cannot secure our future in this life or the next and neither can it bring present satisfaction to our eternal souls. Only Jesus can bring eternal security and satisfaction to our lives. "The Psalmist proclaimed, "The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want."
If you have been reconciled to God by faith in the redemptive work of Christ, and you have wealth, power and a good brain, thank God and use them to spread the fame of His name in the world.
If you want to boast about something boast in that you know God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and live for the things that matter to Him. Love others sacrificially, seek justice in the world and live righteously before God and you will be a delight to the Lord.
We live in a world that takes pride in educational achievements, power and wealth. Although there is nothing wrong necessarily with anyone of these things, none of them in themselves impress God or bring God's blessings. We can have all those things, power, wealth and advanced education and slip in the shower and break our necks. All the wealth in the world cannot secure our future in this life or the next and neither can it bring present satisfaction to our eternal souls. Only Jesus can bring eternal security and satisfaction to our lives. "The Psalmist proclaimed, "The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want."
If you have been reconciled to God by faith in the redemptive work of Christ, and you have wealth, power and a good brain, thank God and use them to spread the fame of His name in the world.
If you want to boast about something boast in that you know God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and live for the things that matter to Him. Love others sacrificially, seek justice in the world and live righteously before God and you will be a delight to the Lord.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Have you lost your way? Ask for the old paths...
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jer 6:16).
In his inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt admitted that the U.S.A. had lost its way. "We don't know where we are going," he said, "but we are on our way." Through Jeremiah the Lord admonished his people to consider the paths before them and "ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein..." The people of God had forsaken the ways of the Lord and chose to walk in the ways of the ungodly nations around them. This road (pattern of living) that they were walking on was a road that was leading them to destruction. And the Lord, in His graciousness brought them to a fork in the road where they had the opportunity to repent and get on His path which leads to rest.
The Lord said to His wayward people through Jeremiah, "Ask for the old paths..." For the people in Jeremiah's day the old paths represented the way that God revealed to their ancestors through Moses and others how to live for and worship God. The old paths are not the old fashion way of doing things. Its not about keeping the pews rather then chairs in the sanctuary because its the old fashion way or because it the way we've always done things around here. The old paths is not the traditional way of doings things or the contemporary way of doing things, its the biblical way of doing things. Have you lost your way? Ask for the old paths and walk therein.
In his inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt admitted that the U.S.A. had lost its way. "We don't know where we are going," he said, "but we are on our way." Through Jeremiah the Lord admonished his people to consider the paths before them and "ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein..." The people of God had forsaken the ways of the Lord and chose to walk in the ways of the ungodly nations around them. This road (pattern of living) that they were walking on was a road that was leading them to destruction. And the Lord, in His graciousness brought them to a fork in the road where they had the opportunity to repent and get on His path which leads to rest.
The Lord said to His wayward people through Jeremiah, "Ask for the old paths..." For the people in Jeremiah's day the old paths represented the way that God revealed to their ancestors through Moses and others how to live for and worship God. The old paths are not the old fashion way of doing things. Its not about keeping the pews rather then chairs in the sanctuary because its the old fashion way or because it the way we've always done things around here. The old paths is not the traditional way of doings things or the contemporary way of doing things, its the biblical way of doing things. Have you lost your way? Ask for the old paths and walk therein.
Monday, July 18, 2011
God is watching over His word to perform it
"And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 'Jeremiah, what do you see?' And I said, 'I see an almond branch.' The LORD said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it'" (Jer 1:11).
Before God gave Jeremiah a vision, He asked him, "what do you see." And Jeremiah responded, "I see an almond branch." What is the significance of this vision? An almond tree was the first tree to bud in the spring, it was said to "watch for the spring." Using that well known analogy in Jeremiah's day to focus his thoughts, the Lord responded, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.'
Like an almond tree that was the first to welcome the spring, to watch over it, the Lord is watching over his word to fulfill it in the lives of his people. Now this can mean blessing or judgment depending on whether or not we are walking according to His word or contrary to it. God is watching over his word. Everything that He says he will perform. Every promise He makes he will fulfilled. Don't stray from his precepts, stand on His promises.
Before God gave Jeremiah a vision, He asked him, "what do you see." And Jeremiah responded, "I see an almond branch." What is the significance of this vision? An almond tree was the first tree to bud in the spring, it was said to "watch for the spring." Using that well known analogy in Jeremiah's day to focus his thoughts, the Lord responded, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.'
Like an almond tree that was the first to welcome the spring, to watch over it, the Lord is watching over his word to fulfill it in the lives of his people. Now this can mean blessing or judgment depending on whether or not we are walking according to His word or contrary to it. God is watching over his word. Everything that He says he will perform. Every promise He makes he will fulfilled. Don't stray from his precepts, stand on His promises.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength
"For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not" (Isaiah 30:15).
When the Lord gave this exhortation through the prophet Isaiah the people of God, in fear of their enemies (Assyrians), had turned to Egypt for security. In doing so they not only experienced further oppression from Egypt but forfeited the help that only God could give them. Despite their rebellious ways, the Lord called them to repent of their sin and turn to him again, but they would not. What a God we serve that even in our rebellious ways the Lord calls us to return to Him in repentance that he might deliver us from our backward and destructive ways.
In God's call for His people to turn to him again we find a key to experiencing the strength of the Lord. The Lord said through the mouth of Isaiah, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." We must learn to get away from all the clamor of this world and get alone with God. Through the Psalmist the Lord exhorts us to "Be still and know that I am God." Take the time to get quiet enough to hear the voice of the almighty and know with great confidence that he is a trustworthy God.
When the Lord gave this exhortation through the prophet Isaiah the people of God, in fear of their enemies (Assyrians), had turned to Egypt for security. In doing so they not only experienced further oppression from Egypt but forfeited the help that only God could give them. Despite their rebellious ways, the Lord called them to repent of their sin and turn to him again, but they would not. What a God we serve that even in our rebellious ways the Lord calls us to return to Him in repentance that he might deliver us from our backward and destructive ways.
In God's call for His people to turn to him again we find a key to experiencing the strength of the Lord. The Lord said through the mouth of Isaiah, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." We must learn to get away from all the clamor of this world and get alone with God. Through the Psalmist the Lord exhorts us to "Be still and know that I am God." Take the time to get quiet enough to hear the voice of the almighty and know with great confidence that he is a trustworthy God.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Is the Lord waiting on you?
"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him" (Isaiah 30:18).
Despite the fact that the people of God looked to Egypt for help and despised the true word of God, the Lord longed to be gracious to His people. But in Isaiah's day and in our day as well the Lord holds back his blessings and waits before he demonstrates His graciousness to His people. What is He waiting for? He waits for His people to wait on Him. After declaring to God's people that the Lord waits to be gracious unto you, Isaiah wrote, "Blessed are all they that wait for him." When we are waiting on the Lord we quietly and confidently look to him for help. We trust that he will answer our prayers in His good time.
When waiting on God remember also that perhaps God is waiting on you to trust in Him, to persevere in prayer, or to repent of all known sin in your life. What might the Lord be waiting on you for before he releases his blessings upon you life?
Despite the fact that the people of God looked to Egypt for help and despised the true word of God, the Lord longed to be gracious to His people. But in Isaiah's day and in our day as well the Lord holds back his blessings and waits before he demonstrates His graciousness to His people. What is He waiting for? He waits for His people to wait on Him. After declaring to God's people that the Lord waits to be gracious unto you, Isaiah wrote, "Blessed are all they that wait for him." When we are waiting on the Lord we quietly and confidently look to him for help. We trust that he will answer our prayers in His good time.
When waiting on God remember also that perhaps God is waiting on you to trust in Him, to persevere in prayer, or to repent of all known sin in your life. What might the Lord be waiting on you for before he releases his blessings upon you life?
When facing adversity run to God in faith rather than the world in fear
"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering (make an alliance), but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion" (Isaiah 30:1-3).
When the Assyrians came against Judah, in fear they looked to Egypt for help and protection. They sought counsel in the face of adversity but not the counsel of the Lord. And the result was that the protection and shelter that they sought from Egypt turned to shame and humiliation. In other words they had run to Egypt to buy protection but ironically they returned to their original oppressors.
Its been said that many who profess Christianity live like practical atheist. And there is no area in our lives that shows that we live like practical atheist more than in our prayer life. Our prayer lives is the greatest mark of dependence on God. How do you handle adversity? Do you run to God in faith or do you run to the world in fear? Woe to us if prayer to a faithful God is our last resort rather than our first and greates resolve.
When the Assyrians came against Judah, in fear they looked to Egypt for help and protection. They sought counsel in the face of adversity but not the counsel of the Lord. And the result was that the protection and shelter that they sought from Egypt turned to shame and humiliation. In other words they had run to Egypt to buy protection but ironically they returned to their original oppressors.
Its been said that many who profess Christianity live like practical atheist. And there is no area in our lives that shows that we live like practical atheist more than in our prayer life. Our prayer lives is the greatest mark of dependence on God. How do you handle adversity? Do you run to God in faith or do you run to the world in fear? Woe to us if prayer to a faithful God is our last resort rather than our first and greates resolve.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Lean upon Jesus
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:3-4).
When problems and troubles arise in our lives we have a tendency to focus on and become obsessed with them. As a result we often become fearful, anxious or filled with worry. Its been said that worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow it takes the joy out of today.
In this life we can expect problems. Jesus never promised the absence of problems. Instead he has promised to give us peace in the midst of our storms (John 16:33). But in order to experience the peace that Jesus promises we must not simply try to quit obsessing over our problems. The more we try not to think about our problems the more we tend to be consumed by them. We must rather transfer our focus from our problems to God and trust him to see us through. Lean upon Jesus.
When problems and troubles arise in our lives we have a tendency to focus on and become obsessed with them. As a result we often become fearful, anxious or filled with worry. Its been said that worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow it takes the joy out of today.
In this life we can expect problems. Jesus never promised the absence of problems. Instead he has promised to give us peace in the midst of our storms (John 16:33). But in order to experience the peace that Jesus promises we must not simply try to quit obsessing over our problems. The more we try not to think about our problems the more we tend to be consumed by them. We must rather transfer our focus from our problems to God and trust him to see us through. Lean upon Jesus.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Can't buy me love
"If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house he would be utterly despised" (Song of Solomon 8:7b ).
Recently, I read of a rich man who stated that one of the sad things about being rich was that it was difficult for him to find a loving companion whose main reason for being interested in him was not his money. He knew that a love that money can buy isn't true love. Therefore he desired a companion that would desire "him" not his money.
The Beatles had it right when they sang, "Say u don't need no diamond rings and I'll be satisfied, Tell me that you want those kinds of things that money just can't buy, I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love, Can't buy me love, love, Can't buy me love." The beloved in the Song of Solomon declared, "My beloved is mine, and I am his" (2:16). In the same way God desires for you to know that he loves you, that you belong to him and He belongs to you. Give those you love what money can't buy, namely yourself. Elizabeth, I am yours and you are all mine!
Recently, I read of a rich man who stated that one of the sad things about being rich was that it was difficult for him to find a loving companion whose main reason for being interested in him was not his money. He knew that a love that money can buy isn't true love. Therefore he desired a companion that would desire "him" not his money.
The Beatles had it right when they sang, "Say u don't need no diamond rings and I'll be satisfied, Tell me that you want those kinds of things that money just can't buy, I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love, Can't buy me love, love, Can't buy me love." The beloved in the Song of Solomon declared, "My beloved is mine, and I am his" (2:16). In the same way God desires for you to know that he loves you, that you belong to him and He belongs to you. Give those you love what money can't buy, namely yourself. Elizabeth, I am yours and you are all mine!
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