The Narrow Path with Christ

Jeremiah lived in days that echo our times today in many ways. Wickedness, corruption, false teaching, disrespect for God, disregard for His word and His ways, pursuit of self and satisfaction outside of God. The last few chapters of Jeremiah (46-52), consist of a series of prophecies against nations, it begins with Egypt and ends with Babylon, the two main powers that vied for control of Judah during Jeremiah’s time.

This post today concludes my series on Jeremiah. It has been so enriching to delve deeper into this book and thank you to each one of you who have been with me each week, you have shared insights, blessed and encouraged me by journeying along with me.

Throughout the book of Jeremiah, the pursuit of God’s people by God himself was evident. He is a God who is faithful and does not forsake those who are His. What did the pursuit of God look like from the people’s end? Their pursuit was more fleshly, false gods and idols took centre stage with emphasis on gratifying their own desires.  

For us: What does our pursuit of God look like today?

Is the pursuit of God our priority, is it dictated by our how we feel, our circumstances or any other distractions?

Is our pursuit the glory of God or do we place self before God?

Jeremiah 9:6 says “You live in the midst of deception. In their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me.”

The things of this world can mislead, our hearts can deceive. What opens our eyes to the Truth? Only the Spirit can. God opens our spiritual eyes and ears to see and understand the things of God. Before, we are dead in sin and live in the midst of deception, seeing but never believing, hearing but never understanding. The people of Judah saw and heard but they did not understand. They knew of God, but what came of that knowledge?

Knowledge of God is not the same as knowing God. Even the demons know who God is (James 2:19). Knowing God is seeking Him and having a daily and active relationship with Him. And knowing Him should rightfully impact how we live – for HIM.

For us: Has your knowledge of God seeped in from your head to your heart?

             Have you moved from knowing of Him to seeking, pursuing and knowing Him?

             And how has that impacted the way you do everyday life?

In the last few chapters of Jeremiah, we read of messages that describe the destruction that those nations will face at the hand of God, Egypt (ch 46), Philistines (ch 47), Moab (ch 48), Ammon, Edom, Damascus (ch 49) and Babylon (ch 50-51).

These nations relied on their own military prowess. They seemed strong, stable, powerful and would have been tempting for the people of Judah to seek refuge in.

Jeremiah 46:10 says “But that day belongs to the Lord, the Lord Almighty-a day of vengeance, for vengeance on His foes.”

God’s words point to His Sovereignty. God’s sovereignty extends to all nations, all will be held accountable before Him. He did not want the people to seek refuge in any other nation, they were to trust Him and seek refuge in Him.

For us: What are we finding our security in?

             When circumstances feel less than ideal who or what do we seek refuge in?

             Does your trust rest in God or do you tend to be tossed by the waves of your turmoil?

Jeremiah 46: 28 says “Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you, declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

God words with clarity remind the people that even though they are under His discipline, He will never forsake them.

The prophet Jeremiah teaches us obedience in the face of adversity and faithfulness to God in a fragmented world. He was reluctant to be a prophet at the beginning to a people who were not for God. He endured physical and emotional struggles as he was obedient to God. There were times when Jeremiah wanted to give up.

Jeremiah reminds us that to walk the narrow path may not be easy but as we walk on the narrow path often our gaze gets pulled to the challenges and contention the world we live in has with followers of Christ. But as we walk, may we always remind ourselves that although the path is narrow and is not easy, where it leads to is what matters, and that is to God. One day in His courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:10.)

Mathew 10:25 says “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.”

For us: Is it enough for us to be like our master, Jesus? He followed the will of God to the cross, He humbly washed the disciple’s feet, He came as man for our sake, going to the poor, needy and the outcast, being rejected and despised, not receiving the approval or applause of man.

And as Jeremiah walked in His calling, reflect on whether you are willing to walk and work for the kingdom of God without the accolades and the applause?

The book of Jeremiah also reminds us of the promise of God with us, carrying us through the call He places on our lives. Even when not easy, there is a joy to be found in walking in obedience to God.

God Bless.