Click above to watch video.
OR
Click below to play audio and read along.
Good Tuesday morning to you my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
Have you ever had the heartbreaking experience of sifting through the ashes of destruction or despair? It’s what people on the East Coast of the USA are still doing, weeks, months after the aftermath of hurricane Milton and what Californians are doing in the weeks following the devastation of the windswept fires. The truth is we could apply that horrible image to every country in the world and almost every city. The ashes around our world today are really not much different from those down through history past…natural disasters; failed governments; powerful criminals; rebellious teenagers; broken promises and abandonment by those who had the power to help but didn’t.
Because we can either learn from history or we are destined to repeat it, we’re looking at the Israel of the Bible, about 2600 years ago. Specifically, the messages from God spoken through Jeremiah the prophet as he warned the people of Jerusalem that God’s patience was running out and both disaster and despair were approaching. Sadly, the people then not only ignored Jeremiah, they persecuted him until Jerusalem was demolished and the people were taken captive in 586bc. Jeremiah’s messages call to us today, living in much the same world situation, to consider how we are responding to God’s words?
Yesterday we looked at Jeremiah’s powerful words from God in Jeremiah 17:3-8, remember? God was describing the two types of people in our world… those who live like well-watered trees, strong and fruit bearing even in very difficult times, because their tap roots run deep to a good water source. In contrast are those people who like a bramble bush in the desert are blown here and there by opinion and popular ideas and their own selfish pursuits. Now today let’s continue with the remainder of Jeremiah’s message for God wants us to know the WHY, the CAUSE of this great disparity among people and God’s response to it. Jeremiah picked up his writing stylus again and wrote these very powerful words from God: “The human heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9) God is right, isn’t He?
We all share in this terminal malady which has no cure. What malady? We each have a selfish, sinful, human nature. We were born with it, and it grows each day as we grow. (Ps. 51:5) If we aren’t careful, it consumes us, doesn’t it, and it causes us to think, say and do things that hurt other people, destroy our families, our schools, our entire cities! We build prisons to try and contain the epidemic, but there’s no stopping the destruction of the wicked human heart. The only hope is transformation and that is experienced ONLY in relationship with Almighty, Holy God as we encounter the risen Jesus Christ and trust Him with our lives! Pause a moment. Do you understand what I just said? As you look at yourself and our world do you agree it is God’s truth?
So, these final, powerful words from God through Jeremiah: “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct; according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jer.17:10) Now that’s very clear, isn’t it? We all understand that every human being will stand in full and personal accountability before the Creator, Almighty God who has given to each of us life and breath each day of our lives. And that Almighty, life-giving God is also Holy God, and our accountability will be according to HIS holy standards for human life which He designed. We’ll be held accountable by God for everything we have thought, said or done in our entire lifetime, right? That’s God’s warning through Jeremiah. So what do you anticipate that day will be like for you my friend? The people of Jeremiah’s day refused to listen and rejected these words. What about us?
Jeremiah then turns his God given message of warning to a personal reflection with these words: “A glorious throne exalted from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. LORD, You are the hope of Israel; all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away from You will be written in the dust, because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.” (Jer.17:12,13) Seems to me John the apostle echoed this same powerful truth that God, His glory, His holiness, His truth, His wisdom preceded everything that has ever existed.
John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)
Both John and Jeremiah proclaim that this eternal, creator, life giving, holy God has been the available refuge and sanctuary of hope for anyone at any time as they turn away from self reliance to God for His help.
And so, these closing words from Jeremiah today which call our world to see the hope of Jesus Christ available in the smoldering ashes of our world: “Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise…” (Jer. 17:14) Oh my! Is that the cry and confidence of your heart my friend, even if you are surrounded by the ashes of despair or disaster? Do you know how much Jesus loves you and wants to help transform you into the man or woman God designed you to be at this stage of your life?
There’s a movement of young people hungry to know God, honor God with their lives and turn away from the darkness that is consuming their generation, their cities, their nations. At a recent gathering of this movement, led by Charity Gayle and her husband Ryan Kennedy, this powerful song was recorded. Is it the cry of your heart and mine my “Walking with Jesus” friends?
Today’s Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9-14.
Choose below to read or listen.
 |  |
Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
Archived back issues of “Walking with Jesus” and other resources are available by clicking here to open our ‘home page’ (or go to HOME at upper right of this page).
Share with friends. Subscribe below for daily “Walking with Jesus”.