SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 21-27
The leaders (shepherds) of Israel have failed to speak and act for justice and mercy (21:11f).
The prophets keep saying ‘everything if fine, no worries, God will protect you!’ (23:17)
The leaders do what they want, the prophets say what they want… and God is fed up.
He is sending Babylon to defeat and pillage Jerusalem and the temple (27:12f)
Their only hope is to surrender, wait the seventy years, and return when God allows (25:1f).
Jeremiah does promise that the messiah king will come (23:5-6); like Jeremiah He will be accused of speaking against the city/temple, and threatened with death (26:4f).
So what do I hear God saying to me in this?
I am identifying most with the prophets, and wondering whether I am guilty of the same.
“Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the Lord! They keep saying to those who despise my word, ‘Don’t worry! The Lord says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’” (Jeremiah 23:16-17)
Is our gospel a kingdom gospel, or just a selfish gospel – “Don’t worry! The Lord says you will have peace!”
“Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?” (Jeremiah 23:18)
Notice, it does not say ‘have they read or studied the bible’ but ‘have they been in the Lord’s presence?’
Time spent with God, allowing Him to search and cleanse my own heart, open to God’s heart for justice and mercy.
Time focused on the King and His kingdom, and not on myself and my constant litany of selfish requests (bless me, heal me, help me, show, me, forgive me, fix me, etc.).
I am a leader: am I being a god shepherd of the flock that God has assigned to me?
I am a prophet: am I being a good spokesperson for the message God has revealed to me?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are the good shepherd and the good prophet. You love justice and mercy, and You speak for the truth. You are challenging me to spend time with You, listen to Your heart, then join You in Your kingdom mission. May I be a good shepherd and a good prophet too.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observation/Application
What is the Lord saying to me?
Listen to His voice and follow His way. Do what is just and right. Obey this command. Keep covenant. Serve Him and none other. Whatever you do, do unto the Lord. Know Him. Keep your eyes focussed on Him to know what to do and where to go. Our security lies in Him. Listen to Him.
As the leaders go, so go the people. Follow the King! Listen to His Word. Do His Word. Do this and live!
At all times and in all happenings, listen to His voice. In times of joy and in the times of pain, the Lord is with His people if only they listen to Him.
Open my ears Lord that I hear Your voice this day saying, this is the way. Walk in it.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.