12 Oct 2007

10 Oct - Jeremiah 14:11-16:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-3:13; Psalm 80; Proverbs 25:1-5
11 Oct - Jeremiah 16:16-18:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3; Psalm 81; Proverbs 25:6-7
12 Oct - Jeremiah 19-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82; Proverbs 25:7-10

Jer 16:10 “And when you tell this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?’ 11 then you shall say to them: ‘Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law, 12 and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me. 13 Therefore I will hurl you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’

A colleague asked about the bible concerning a violence God. Jer16:10 spoke the exact questions and v11-13 gave the answer. It showed 2 traits of God. His mercy- slow to adminster judgement and that was why you still have the time to ask that questions, else, even before you can say anything, judgement come. Second is a loving and gracious God. He warned, He reminded us of His faithfulness and question back our stubborness. He only want one thing - that we come back to Him and be His children.

The harseness of words showed God saddness and anger for sins and evil deeds. He wanted the people to know that what they did was not good and please please repent. The same speaks to me - serve God and only Him - shunt evil, seek forgiveness and repent.

Jer 16:21 “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.

Look at this verse not on the judgment, but be awe at the power, the might of this God that we served, that humble Himself to die for us through the blood of Jesus, so that we can be His children and call upon Him as our Lord - that they know my name is the Lord! Awesome!

Jer 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,whose trust is the Lord.8 He is like a tree planted by water,that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Contrast this to the earlier verse: 5 Thus says the Lord:“Cursed is the man who trusts in manand makes flesh his strength, [1]whose heart turns away from the Lord.6 He is like a shrub in the desert,and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,in an uninhabited salt land.

Desert or green pasture by the stream? You choose. Do not be wilful. Is it not easier to inherit then to toll for your wealth and gains? God want to bless, take it, why can we just take it. Trust not upon our own strength, but choose to depend on His. I pray that even as I see results, let me be reminded to continue and always remember the Lord my God.

Jer 17:21 Thus says the Lord: Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. 22 And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. 23 Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.

It is not about Sunday, it is not about Friday Sabbath. It is all about a command God intended for us, for the good of the people, the land and the country. It is also about obedience. Yes, work hard, but why slog? Don't we understand that if our God has asked us to rest, and do no work, trust that He will bless that day. By choosing to work on a Sabbath is nothing worng, but like my father who used to drive a taxi and said, who is going to pay for the daily rental? Do we not trust God and why do we choose not to obey. The intention of rest is for long term. Rachael also talk about good health - for without that physical temple - you cannot serve people and God. Use the Sabbath - build the relationship with God, with His people, with your family. Trust and obey God.

Jer 19:5 as reference:
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. 4 Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, 5 and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind

Men, so capable of devising plans and such evils, that it did not even come into God's mind! I pray for myself and my family that we will not fall into such evil and provoke such anger in God. The world today is deeply entrenched with such evil, the internet porn, gay activities, various form of so-call self actualization and spiritist movement..Glory, fame and power.. The whole world is what Satan can offer, do we take it. Look beyond and this I pray, seek the purpose of God and dwell closely in His intends. Amen.