Daily Encouragement

August 1, 2010 - Sharing God's Word Takes Courage And Determination

Jeremiah was called by God to speak to the people in his generation who were rebellious and idol worshippers. God told him ahead of time that the people would not listen to him and attack him instead. His task was "To pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." (v. 10 NASB)

What about the Christians today, is it easy to witness for the Lord and follow his command of Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:19?

No, I would say it is not. But just as God had chosen Jeremiah to do His job, you and I are to share God's salvation plan with our neighbors and relatives and co-workers and classmates. As God had promised Jeremiah that he would be with him in verse 19, God will also be with you all the time. (Matthew 28:20) But you and I must be like a fortified city, as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against those who may oppose us a Christians. (v. 18)

You need to be strong to tell others about the love and judgment of God. Don't give up. It may take many times of witnessing before they may hear.

August 2, 2010 - God's Serious Warning

Meditation on Jeremiah 7

The Israelis were proud of their temple which they thought was a proof that God would protect them from destruction and deportation. But Jeremiah told them there were four things they need to change in order to prevent them from leaving their own land. These are: first, they should practice social justice. Secondly, they should not oppress the aliens, the orphans and the widow who had no means of support.

Thirdly, they should not shed innocent blood, and fourthly, they should not follow after the false gods. (v. 1-7)

Jeremiah continued to charge them with pluralistic faith and religion and violating the other commandments which God had given them. (v. 8-15) Jeremiah was told by God not to pray for these people any more who were worshipping idols. God's burning wrath would be pouring upon them. (v. 16-20)

The offerings of the people had no value because they did not listen and obey God's word. (v. 21-28) The most terrible thing they did was to sacrifice their own children on the altar of the foreign gods. With such unbelievable wickedness, they were doom to be punished by God. Their home and their lives would be lost. (v. 29-34)

God does give us warning from time to time when we depart from His laws and statues. Let us review what Jeremiah had said.

August 3, 2010 - Why Does The Wicked Prosper And Comfortable?

Meditation on Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah asked the LORD why did He allow the wicked and hypocrites prosper? (v. 1) This question had been asked by other prophets and psalmist as well as the people in modern day. God's answer was that He would certainly destroy the wicked in His due time. But the Israelites as well as their neighbors were just as wicked. God would be just to all people in punishment and mercy. He would also save their neighbors if they would repent and turn to Him. (v. 14-17)

Those who continue to do wicked deed should not feel comfortable. For they will soon be destroyed. May we examine our lives and live in the fear of God. (1 Peter 1:17) Under God's rule, nothing can escape from His knowledge.

August 4, 2010 - Relying On The Absolute Sovereignty Of God

Meditation on Jeremiah 18

God had directed the prophet Jeremiah to go down to watch how the potter made vessels with the clay on the wheel. It was up to the potter to determine which type of vessel he made as he pleased. So it was that God could determine how he treated any nation or anyone. Jeremiah had to learn that God had the power to decide whether to punish or to judge all of us and at what time. He could also change His mind whenever he wanted to according to His sovereign will and justice. (v. 1-10)

The Israelites had determined to disobey God and even planned to kill Jeremiah, God's messenger, even though Jeremiah had been pleating God to turn from His wrath against the people. (v. 18-21) Therefore God would deal with His people without mercy. Their judgment would be extremely terrible.

But Jeremiah trusted in the sovereign will of God. He had no choice but to proclaim God's word regardless of whether the people would hear him or not. Can we follow Jeremiah's example to share God's blessing as well His judgment?

August 5, 2010 - Are You A Leader In Your Church?

Meditation on Jeremiah 23

Listen to Jeremiah's warning to the religious leaders in his nation. He described them as shepherds who could not keep their flock but drove the sheep away instead. These prophets and priests would be replaced by God and disasters would come upon them because their course of life was evil. They were responsible for filling the land with adultery. They use their bravery for a wrong cause. They led the people to a wrong path. They lied to the people that they had spoken the word of the LORD without shame. Their so called visions and dreams were from self deception. Their condition could be compared with the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah. For their own profit, they proclaimed false peace and security. They would bear shame forever.

As we look at the situation of this country today? Do we see any similar manifestation about the messages, issues, church policy, immoral behavior and declining condition of many of our churches today? No doubt, the leaders would be responsible for the health of their church. They better listen to the serious warning of Jeremiah.

August 6, 2010 - False Prophet

Meditation on Jeremiah 28

Jeremiah not only had to deal with the rebellious people who did not accept God's word but also dealt with prophets who pretended to comfort people with God's word. Hananiah had all the appearance of a prophet. He claimed to speak the word of God. He predicted that the king of Babylonia would bring back all the vessels he had taken from the temple in Jerusalem back in two years and the yoke of Babylonia would be broken. He even broke the yoke on the neck of Jeremiah. One can imagine that how he could have deceived the people of Judah because of the seemingly good news.

But Jeremiah condemned Hananiah and prophesied that Hananiah would die very soon. That was the only way to prove who the false prophet was. (v. 9 and 16-17) From this lesson, we learn that comforting words may not be necessary the word of God. Sinners also need to hear the judgment of God as He had revealed. Those preachers who only say comforting words in their sermons may not be the true prophets. We will see their eventual failure.

August 7, 2010 - The Lasting Promise

Meditation on Jeremiah 31

What a great chapter this was from Jeremiah in the midst of terrible judgment and sorrow! First of all, God promised His people that He would love them and draw them with an everlasting love. Therefore the nation of Israel will be restored and rejoice. God will bring them back to their hometown and capital. They will enjoy prosperity and productivity. They will be refreshed and resting well. For God has forgiven them their sins after he had disciplined them for awhile.

The greatest promise to them and to all people is the fact that God has established with them the New Covenant: "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (v .33 NKJV) Jeremiah had also given the hint that when would be the fulfillment of the above promise in verse 15, "Thus says the LORD: 'A voice was heard Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.'" Matthew tells us that this prophecy was fulfilled when the babies in Bethlehem was slaughtered by King Herod after the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 2:18)

Jeremiah emphasized that God had revealed this to His people. He would never change what he had promised. Praise the LORD. Let us all celebrate the everlasting Love of God.

In Him we have hope.