Randy Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "hope"
Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 1
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of these tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of these tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 2
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
We left off yesterday by noting how Jeremiah had to endure the most raucous belligerence from the Israelites. He was the Lord’s prophet to them during a time of utter apostasy, and they hated him with a vengeance for proclaiming the Lord’s judgment on them. Jeremiah was daily beleaguered by his fellow Israelites.
That much in and of itself sufficed to make Jeremiah’s ministry unenviable. But then there came the cherry on top. After the Lord dispersed the Israelites into Babylonian exile, the remnant of the people kidnapped Jeremiah and forced him to hie off to Egypt with them.
This was in direct violation to the Lord’s express command to them to remain in the land of Israel and not go to Egypt. Consequently the Israelites were continuing in their rebellion against the Lord. This could only result in the Lord’s curses alighting on them…and Jeremiah was with them! Ergo, Jeremiah had to suffer God’s wrath right along with them.
Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He had to endure the sight of his people suffering the Lord’s vengeance for their outright apostasy. The people were conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was leveled and the temple ransacked and burned. Jewish women were raped in public, and Jewish babies were seized by the feet and their heads dashed against the rocks. Nothing was left of the Lord’s witness in Israel.
If anyone deserved to wallow in self-pity, Jeremiah qualified! But it wasn’t Jeremiah’s style. He was a true man of God, a prophet of the Lord who fearlessly proclaimed the true Word of God to his people, regardless of the consequences. Jeremiah succeeded at this without losing heart and becoming demoralized because of one thing: he didn’t walk by sight but by faith. He believed the Word of God which cannot fail, rather than eyesight which usually does fail.
Read the words quoted at the start of this study. Jeremiah didn’t look at how bad everything was and resign himself to helpless, hopeless defeat. He looked at the Lord and took Him at His Word. He knew the defeat was temporary. The Lord promised him that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years and no longer. Then the Lord would return Israel to the land and rebuild the temple and city.
All around Jeremiah the temple was aflame and the city of Jerusalem a smoldering ruins. It didn’t deter Jeremiah. He looked away from the temporality of the world and turned his gaze to the Lord to see eternal reality. He ejaculated, “I have hope! The Lord never leaves me or forsakes me. He is faithful, even when I am not. His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.”
I learned a lot from Jeremiah, and I’m much the better for it. Permit me to encourage you to open your heart to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. You too will be better equipped to face life’s ordeals.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We left off yesterday by noting how Jeremiah had to endure the most raucous belligerence from the Israelites. He was the Lord’s prophet to them during a time of utter apostasy, and they hated him with a vengeance for proclaiming the Lord’s judgment on them. Jeremiah was daily beleaguered by his fellow Israelites.
That much in and of itself sufficed to make Jeremiah’s ministry unenviable. But then there came the cherry on top. After the Lord dispersed the Israelites into Babylonian exile, the remnant of the people kidnapped Jeremiah and forced him to hie off to Egypt with them.
This was in direct violation to the Lord’s express command to them to remain in the land of Israel and not go to Egypt. Consequently the Israelites were continuing in their rebellion against the Lord. This could only result in the Lord’s curses alighting on them…and Jeremiah was with them! Ergo, Jeremiah had to suffer God’s wrath right along with them.
Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He had to endure the sight of his people suffering the Lord’s vengeance for their outright apostasy. The people were conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was leveled and the temple ransacked and burned. Jewish women were raped in public, and Jewish babies were seized by the feet and their heads dashed against the rocks. Nothing was left of the Lord’s witness in Israel.
If anyone deserved to wallow in self-pity, Jeremiah qualified! But it wasn’t Jeremiah’s style. He was a true man of God, a prophet of the Lord who fearlessly proclaimed the true Word of God to his people, regardless of the consequences. Jeremiah succeeded at this without losing heart and becoming demoralized because of one thing: he didn’t walk by sight but by faith. He believed the Word of God which cannot fail, rather than eyesight which usually does fail.
Read the words quoted at the start of this study. Jeremiah didn’t look at how bad everything was and resign himself to helpless, hopeless defeat. He looked at the Lord and took Him at His Word. He knew the defeat was temporary. The Lord promised him that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years and no longer. Then the Lord would return Israel to the land and rebuild the temple and city.
All around Jeremiah the temple was aflame and the city of Jerusalem a smoldering ruins. It didn’t deter Jeremiah. He looked away from the temporality of the world and turned his gaze to the Lord to see eternal reality. He ejaculated, “I have hope! The Lord never leaves me or forsakes me. He is faithful, even when I am not. His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.”
I learned a lot from Jeremiah, and I’m much the better for it. Permit me to encourage you to open your heart to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. You too will be better equipped to face life’s ordeals.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 1
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of these tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of these tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 2
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
We left off yesterday by noting how Jeremiah had to endure the most raucous belligerence from the Israelites. He was the Lord’s prophet to them during a time of utter apostasy, and they hated him with a vengeance for proclaiming the Lord’s judgment on them. Jeremiah was daily beleaguered by his fellow Israelites.
That much in and of itself sufficed to make Jeremiah’s ministry unenviable. But then there came the cherry on top. After the Lord dispersed the Israelites into Babylonian exile, the remnant of the people kidnapped Jeremiah and forced him to hie off to Egypt with them.
This was in direct violation to the Lord’s express command to them to remain in the land of Israel and not go to Egypt. Consequently the Israelites were continuing in their rebellion against the Lord. This could only result in the Lord’s curses alighting on them…and Jeremiah was with them! Ergo, Jeremiah had to suffer God’s wrath right along with them.
Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He had to endure the sight of his people suffering the Lord’s vengeance for their outright apostasy. The people were conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was leveled and the temple ransacked and burned. Jewish women were raped in public, and Jewish babies were seized by the feet and their heads dashed against the rocks. Nothing was left of the Lord’s witness in Israel.
If anyone deserved to wallow in self-pity, Jeremiah qualified! But it wasn’t Jeremiah’s style. He was a true man of God, a prophet of the Lord who fearlessly proclaimed the true Word of God to his people, regardless of the consequences. Jeremiah succeeded at this without losing heart and becoming demoralized because of one thing: he didn’t walk by sight but by faith. He believed the Word of God which cannot fail, rather than eyesight which usually does fail.
Read the words quoted at the start of this study. Jeremiah didn’t look at how bad everything was and resign himself to helpless, hopeless defeat. He looked at the Lord and took Him at His Word. He knew the defeat was temporary. The Lord promised him that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years and no longer. Then the Lord would return Israel to the land and rebuild the temple and city.
All around Jeremiah the temple was aflame and the city of Jerusalem a smoldering ruins. It didn’t deter Jeremiah. He looked away from the temporality of the world and turned his gaze to the Lord to see eternal reality. He ejaculated, “I have hope! The Lord never leaves me or forsakes me. He is faithful, even when I am not. His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.”
I learned a lot from Jeremiah, and I’m much the better for it. Permit me to encourage you to open your heart to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. You too will be better equipped to face life’s ordeals.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
We left off yesterday by noting how Jeremiah had to endure the most raucous belligerence from the Israelites. He was the Lord’s prophet to them during a time of utter apostasy, and they hated him with a vengeance for proclaiming the Lord’s judgment on them. Jeremiah was daily beleaguered by his fellow Israelites.
That much in and of itself sufficed to make Jeremiah’s ministry unenviable. But then there came the cherry on top. After the Lord dispersed the Israelites into Babylonian exile, the remnant of the people kidnapped Jeremiah and forced him to hie off to Egypt with them.
This was in direct violation to the Lord’s express command to them to remain in the land of Israel and not go to Egypt. Consequently the Israelites were continuing in their rebellion against the Lord. This could only result in the Lord’s curses alighting on them…and Jeremiah was with them! Ergo, Jeremiah had to suffer God’s wrath right along with them.
Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He had to endure the sight of his people suffering the Lord’s vengeance for their outright apostasy. The people were conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was leveled and the temple ransacked and burned. Jewish women were raped in public, and Jewish babies were seized by the feet and their heads dashed against the rocks. Nothing was left of the Lord’s witness in Israel.
If anyone deserved to wallow in self-pity, Jeremiah qualified! But it wasn’t Jeremiah’s style. He was a true man of God, a prophet of the Lord who fearlessly proclaimed the true Word of God to his people, regardless of the consequences. Jeremiah succeeded at this without losing heart and becoming demoralized because of one thing: he didn’t walk by sight but by faith. He believed the Word of God which cannot fail, rather than eyesight which usually does fail.
Read the words quoted at the start of this study. Jeremiah didn’t look at how bad everything was and resign himself to helpless, hopeless defeat. He looked at the Lord and took Him at His Word. He knew the defeat was temporary. The Lord promised him that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years and no longer. Then the Lord would return Israel to the land and rebuild the temple and city.
All around Jeremiah the temple was aflame and the city of Jerusalem a smoldering ruins. It didn’t deter Jeremiah. He looked away from the temporality of the world and turned his gaze to the Lord to see eternal reality. He ejaculated, “I have hope! The Lord never leaves me or forsakes me. He is faithful, even when I am not. His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.”
I learned a lot from Jeremiah, and I’m much the better for it. Permit me to encourage you to open your heart to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. You too will be better equipped to face life’s ordeals.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 1
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of those tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of those tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 2
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
We left off yesterday by noting how Jeremiah had to endure the most raucous belligerence from the Israelites. He was the Lord’s prophet to them during a time of utter apostasy, and they hated him with a vengeance for proclaiming the Lord’s judgment on them. Jeremiah was daily beleaguered by his fellow Israelites.
That much in and of itself sufficed to make Jeremiah’s ministry unenviable. But then there came the cherry on top. After the Lord dispersed the Israelites into Babylonian exile, the remnant of the people still in the Promised Land kidnapped Jeremiah and forced him to hie off to Egypt with them.
This was in direct violation to the Lord’s express command to them to remain in the land of Israel and not go to Egypt. Consequently the Israelites were continuing in their rebellion against the Lord. This could only result in the Lord’s curses alighting on them…and Jeremiah was with them! Ergo, Jeremiah had to suffer God’s wrath right along with them.
Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He had to endure the sight of his people suffering the Lord’s vengeance for their outright apostasy. The people were conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was leveled and the temple ransacked and burned. Jewish women were raped in public, and Jewish babies were seized by the feet and their heads dashed against the rocks. Nothing was left of the Lord’s witness in Israel.
If anyone deserved to wallow in self-pity, Jeremiah qualified! But it wasn’t Jeremiah’s style. He was a true man of God, a prophet of the Lord who fearlessly proclaimed the true Word of God to his people, regardless of the consequences. Jeremiah succeeded at this without losing heart and becoming demoralized because of one thing: he didn’t walk by sight but by faith. He believed the Word of God which cannot fail, rather than eyesight which usually does fail.
Read the words quoted at the start of this study. Jeremiah didn’t look at how bad everything was and resign himself to helpless, hopeless defeat. He looked at the Lord and took Him at His Word. He knew the defeat was temporary. The Lord promised him that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years and no longer. Then the Lord would return Israel to the land and rebuild the temple and city.
All around Jeremiah the temple was aflame and the city of Jerusalem a smoldering ruins. It didn’t deter Jeremiah. He looked away from the temporality of the world and turned his gaze to the Lord to see eternal reality. He ejaculated, “I have hope! The Lord never leaves me or forsakes me. He is faithful, even when I am not. His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.”
I learned a lot from Jeremiah, and I’m much the better for it. Permit me to encourage you to open your heart to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. You too will be better equipped to face life’s ordeals.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
We left off yesterday by noting how Jeremiah had to endure the most raucous belligerence from the Israelites. He was the Lord’s prophet to them during a time of utter apostasy, and they hated him with a vengeance for proclaiming the Lord’s judgment on them. Jeremiah was daily beleaguered by his fellow Israelites.
That much in and of itself sufficed to make Jeremiah’s ministry unenviable. But then there came the cherry on top. After the Lord dispersed the Israelites into Babylonian exile, the remnant of the people still in the Promised Land kidnapped Jeremiah and forced him to hie off to Egypt with them.
This was in direct violation to the Lord’s express command to them to remain in the land of Israel and not go to Egypt. Consequently the Israelites were continuing in their rebellion against the Lord. This could only result in the Lord’s curses alighting on them…and Jeremiah was with them! Ergo, Jeremiah had to suffer God’s wrath right along with them.
Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He had to endure the sight of his people suffering the Lord’s vengeance for their outright apostasy. The people were conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was leveled and the temple ransacked and burned. Jewish women were raped in public, and Jewish babies were seized by the feet and their heads dashed against the rocks. Nothing was left of the Lord’s witness in Israel.
If anyone deserved to wallow in self-pity, Jeremiah qualified! But it wasn’t Jeremiah’s style. He was a true man of God, a prophet of the Lord who fearlessly proclaimed the true Word of God to his people, regardless of the consequences. Jeremiah succeeded at this without losing heart and becoming demoralized because of one thing: he didn’t walk by sight but by faith. He believed the Word of God which cannot fail, rather than eyesight which usually does fail.
Read the words quoted at the start of this study. Jeremiah didn’t look at how bad everything was and resign himself to helpless, hopeless defeat. He looked at the Lord and took Him at His Word. He knew the defeat was temporary. The Lord promised him that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years and no longer. Then the Lord would return Israel to the land and rebuild the temple and city.
All around Jeremiah the temple was aflame and the city of Jerusalem a smoldering ruins. It didn’t deter Jeremiah. He looked away from the temporality of the world and turned his gaze to the Lord to see eternal reality. He ejaculated, “I have hope! The Lord never leaves me or forsakes me. He is faithful, even when I am not. His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.”
I learned a lot from Jeremiah, and I’m much the better for it. Permit me to encourage you to open your heart to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. You too will be better equipped to face life’s ordeals.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
