Photo credit: Clement Eastwood Reading through Jeremiah can often draw most of our focus to the inevitable judgement that God is to bring on Judah because of their sinful ways. But interspersed within the words from God to Jeremiah, we also get to see aspects of God and His heart for His people. We see... Continue Reading →
In the Depths of Discouragement
The prophet Jeremiah had been speaking the word of God to the people, confronting them about their sin, warning them about God’s judgement that would come upon them unless they repent and turn from their ways. The people did not listen and also mocked, scorned and persecuted Jeremiah. When we come to Jeremiah chapter 15,... Continue Reading →
Wander or Yield
Jeremiah 14:10a “This is what the Lord says about the people: They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet.” The people of Israel were complacent with their obedience to God. Their false prophets and priests were misleading the people to think that they would not suffer under the sword, famine or plague... Continue Reading →
Commit your cause to God
In Jeremiah 20 (which can be read in its entirety here), we see opposition to prophet Jeremiah beginning to harden, the start of the chapter gives us a glimpse into his persecution at the hands of those who did not want to heed God’s word. Pashhur, the chief officer in the temple, heard Jeremiah prophesying and had him... Continue Reading →
Bound to God
Proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The people and their leaders persisted in their arrogance, their idolatry and their assimilation of the sinful practices of the wicked nations around them to such an extent that God was forced to deal severely with their unfaithfulness. They lacked the discernment and humility... Continue Reading →
What kind of Worship?
In Jeremiah 7 we read one of the temple messages that God gives through His prophet Jeremiah, to His people. In verse 2 God says to Jeremiah “Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message. Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these... Continue Reading →
Little or Great Faith
Mathew 17:14-20 “When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus... Continue Reading →
When Uncertainty Prevails
Mathew 11:3 “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” This question was asked by John the Baptist. He was in prison at the time because he confronted Herod Antipas about his sinful relationship with his brother’s wife and was imprisoned as a result (Mathew 14). Jesus had been... Continue Reading →
Practices and Prejudice
Mathew 9:14 “Then John’s disciples came and asked him (Jesus), how is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” This question was posed by John’s disciples. John the Baptist spent his days proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. In John 1: 29 we read “The next day John saw... Continue Reading →
Worry – what does Jesus say?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Mathew 6:27 A rhetorical question that we all know the answer to, and yet we can so easily succumb to worrying. This week my city went into a 5-day lockdown, and as soon as it was announced, people flocked to the store... Continue Reading →