Read Jeremiah 7
Highlights:
Jeremiah's plea for repentance; punishment for Judah's rebellion; Jeremiah's mourning over the sins of his people; God and the idols.
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23).
The more we read the Bible, the more we realize that God's ways are not our ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Is. 55:9).
The more time we spend with a person, the more we become familiar with their way of thinking and doing things. The same is true in our relationship with God. It is only as we become familiar with God's Word that we can more clearly discern His will for our daily lives. That is why the Word of God must become part of our lives on a daily basis. We must read and study it every single day. Blessed is the man. . . . his delight is in the Law of the Lord; and in His Law doth he meditate day and night (Ps. 1:1-2). Victory for the child of God is found in God's Word. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Rev. 12:11).
Jeremiah saw himself as a “child.” Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child (Jer. 1:6). Most of us feel we are too “grown up;” we know too many answers. We are like the biblical people of Jerusalem, resting in a false sense of security. We have every convenience in the world at our disposal. We have running water, electricity, television, the internet, and a stocked refrigerator. It is easy to get comfortable and forget our need for God. Sometimes, we act like children who ask and expect to get everything they ask for. We reach out to our Heavenly Father, asking for more and more. Instead we should seek wisdom. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it shall be given him (James 1:5).
Even with all our technological advances, it is just as true today as it was when God spoke through Jeremiah, that, it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23).
Unless we are guided by God's Word, it may appear that we have an answer to prayer because we were able to “physically” accomplish the task we “prayed about.” But in reality, we didn't really seek to discern God's will in the matter.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (I Cor. 2:14).
Thought for Today:
God reveals His ways through His Word.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who demanded a cleansed Temple (Jer. 7:1-11). Jesus cleansed the Temple and said: My House shall be called of all nations the House of Prayer (Mark 11:17).
Word Studies:
7:15 the whole seed of Ephraim, all the people of the Northern Kingdom; 7:33 fray, frighten; 9:7 melt them, and try them, refine them by testing with affliction; 10:22 noise of the bruit, sound of a rumor.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Ben Wallace • Government Officials: Rep. Rick A. Berg (ND) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR) • Country: Russia (146.5 million) northeastern Europe and northern Asia • Major language: Russian • Religious freedom • 55% Russian Orthodox; 9% Muslim; 1% Protestant (Baptist, Pentecostal); .8% Shamanist/Animist; .6% Buddhist; .5% Roman Catholic; .5% New Religions (e.g., Hare Krishna); .4% Jewish; .1% Old Believers; 32.1% Agnostics/Atheists/Others • Prayer Suggestion: Pray at all times (Ps. 55:17).
Optional Reading: 2 Peter 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Isaiah 55:11