Jeremiah 25, 26

The Lord instructed Jeremiah to speak His Words … exactly as He dictated. God said, “Don’t omit even a word. Maybe they will listen.”

It was the prophet’s responsibility to declare what God had given Him … and not to add or subtract from it. God’s Word can speak for itself. This is why it is critical to memorize it to be able to speak it when the need arises. It is not our job to figure out how God will accomplish His Will through it. Our responsibility is to SPEAK IT.

When I was in the U.S. Army stationed in the Panama Canal Zone (where Julie was born) Patty and I were befriended and discipled by (Capt.) Will Duke and his wife, Patty. They belonged to The Navigators. This organization had a strong emphasis upon foundation scriptural teaching and memorization. The verses I learned in 1970 have been vital in my ability to witness for the Lord through the years. When we have the Word memorized, the Holy Spirit can bring a verse to mind when sharing with someone who needs more of God.

Jeremiah 24

God told Jeremiah He would again give His people a heart to know Him, the ones who obediently submitted to Babyonian captivity. Wow! Let’s consider what that looks like:

1. “a desire to know Me”
2. “I will make them want to know Me”
3. “I will give them the ability to know Me”
4. “Hearts that respond to Me”
5. “I will change their hearts”

God can shape the hearts of men through His dealings. He can reveal Himself to them as He did when He let down the sheet filled with unclean animals to Peter. That day God changed Peter’s heart.

This can be a key to how we should pray for those whose hearts need adjustments.

Jeremiah 23

Shepherds who don’t really care for the flock and prophets who prophesy delusions and lies with selfish interests will be stiffly dealt with by the Lord. Often in churches where strong, charismatic leaders become so preoccupied with their own image and well-being, the saints are abused by the hypocrisy. God sent Christ Jesus as the perfect example of a leader. He was called The Righteous Branch.

Merely compare your leader with Christ. If they live to humbly serve Jesus and acknowledge when they are wrong, there’s hope.

Paul said, “Be ye followers of me AS I follow Christ.” [1 Cor. 11:1]

In Revelation, the seven stars (church leaders of the churches addressed) were IN the Lord’s hand. He imposed His control directly upon them. If they got off, He could put the squeeze on them.

Jeremiah 22

The palace of Judah’s king was magnificent, but the man who lived there was an idolater. This is the indictment the prophet declared:

“It will be very bad for King Jehoiakim. He is doing wrong so that he can build his palace. He is cheating people so that he can build rooms upstairs. He is not paying his own people. He is making them work for nothing. [Jer. 22:13 ERV]

The Lord cares about our business dealings. He wants us to be equitable and fair when we are building or doing something for ourselves. He actually watches what we do with every penny.

Jehoiakim’s unscrupulous greed cost him his palace.

Jeremiah 21

The king and inhabitants of Jerusalem had NO IDEA what was about to befall them. They thought it was business as usual .. until Jeremiah’s prophecy came to pass. Nebuchadnezzar’s army came and totally disrupted their lives as per the prophets prediction. They didn’t realize that God means what He says when He demands righteousness from His people.

He still does, but He sees CHRIST when He looks at us. The blood of Jesus atones (makes amends for) all our sins. We don’t have to fear.

THIS is why we must spread the Gospel. People don’t realize the costly consequence of their sinful lives They need the Lord.

Jeremiah 20

The prophet essentially had a hard life. He gave up popularity and ease by accepting God’s call upon his life. Yes, God vindicated him, but not without pain and anguish.

My sister chose to follow the Lord and teach her children to do so also. This was a different path than her first husband wanted to take. There was an inevitable change of course for both of them. It was tough rowing for her for quite awhile, but God brought her out to a better place. Her children are thriving, and she has grandchildren who are doing well. She paid a price, but now she’s a professional counselor who coaches others on how to navigate the hard life.

Jeremiah 19

This is a gruesome thought and picture, but reprobate Israel would even offer their children as human sacrifices in the Valley of Hinnom. [2 Chron. 28] It often seems that children pay the price for the sins of their parents. Laxity in raising children is rampant today, allowing them to be swallowed up in darkness through technology trends. The ultimate form of child sacrifice is probably abortion.

On the other hand, children can become offerings of righteousness that greatly please the Lord.

At church Sunday, I caught my 6 year old granddaughter singing one of the praise choruses. She knew the words. I was so blessed.

They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” [Matt. 21:16]

Jeremiah 18

Perfect pots, perfect lives with no pain or mistakes … this is NOT REALITY.

Are you a marred lump of clay? If so, there is hope WHEN you are in the hands of the Master Potter. That’s the key. Stay in His hands. Let Him break and mold you into what He wants. His goal for your life is eternal health and welfare.

Many years ago I was praying for one of my children when I read the passage, “Hath not the potter power over the clay?” It revolutionized my prayer and my faith for the future of that child. I’m glad to report that God has been faithful to that child.

Jeremiah 17

Guess who does NOT need to fear a recession? Guess who will be like a tree planted on a riverbank with roots going into the water? When heat comes, this tree will stay green and healthy even in a drought. It will NOT stop bearing fruit.

Who is like this tree? The one who has their confidence IN THE LORD. They trust God when all economic indicators are frightful. Their eye is on His Word and their hope is in His ability to provide for and direct them.

When riches increase, we are not to trust in them. When they are removed, we are not to fear a life without them. Consider the flowers of the field. They are not worried. They just keep blooming. [Matt. 6:25-34]

Jeremiah 16

Stubborn is an interesting word. It means being difficult to move, remove, or cure. It is an attitude that affects your daily life and relationships with those around you. Stubbornness is more easily noticed by others than yourself. Dogged determination is good if applied in the right direction. It’s problematic when it rides over the best interest of everyone around you.

My 97 year old father passed on January 25th. Whether he realized it or not, his nature was to be very stubborn. The positives were that he determinedly served the Lord and was uncompromising in his devotion. He was like Joshua who said, “As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.” [Joshua 24:15] The negatives were .. well … let’s just say that you were in trouble if you left the fridge door open long enough for it to start beeping.