Jeremiah 1:11 The word of Adonai came to me, asking, “Yirmeyahu, what do you see?” I answered, “I see a branch from an almond tree [Jeremiah 1:11 Hebrew: shaked]. 12 Then Adonai said to me, “You have seen well, because I am watching [Jeremiah 1:12 Hebrew: shoked] to fulfill my word.”
13 A second time the word of Adonai came to me, asking, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a caldron tilted away from the north, over a fire fanned by the wind.” 14 Then Adonai said to me, “From the north calamity will boil over onto everyone living in the land, 15 because I will summon all the families in the kingdoms of the north,” says Adonai,
“and they will come and sit, each one, on his throne
at the entrance to the gates of Yerushalayim,
opposite its walls, all the way around,
and opposite all the cities of Y’hudah.
16 I will pronounce my judgments against them
for all their wickedness in abandoning me,
offering incense to other gods
and worshipping what their own hands made.
17 “But you, dress for action; stand up and tell them
everything I order you to say.
When you confront them, don’t break down;
or I will break you down in front of them!
18 For today, you see, I have made you into
a fortified city, a pillar of iron,
a wall of bronze against the whole land —
against the kings of Y’hudah, against its princes,
against its cohanim and the people of the land.
19 They will fight against you,
but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you,” says Adonai,
“to rescue you.”(Complete Jewish Bible)
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In this short verse, Jeremiah is given two specific commands: to speak God’s words and to do so without fear. These are simple commands, but not necessarily easy. Jeremiah was under the weight of an awesome responsibility. He knew in advance that he would face rejection. Note that Jeremiah was not told to take his own words to the people. He was to take God’s words to the people. There is a difference between using God’s words and using our own. Often we are tempted to “speak our mind” into the lives of people when we really need to be “speaking God’s heart” into circumstances. We have nothing—or no one—to fear when we are speaking God’s words. So, what if we are sure of a word that God has for us to speak? What then? Then it needs to be spoken with confidence, without fear, but also within the character of a loving, compassionate, and merciful God. God's word is not meznt to be a two-by-four to beat us into submission. Rather, God sends his word as a plea for obedience. Let us resolve to speak the words God needs us to say remembering that God’s goal is always peace and reconciliation.
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Hymn for Today: "A Charge to Keep I Have" by Charles Wesley
1. A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
2. To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow'rs engage
to do my Master's will!
3. Arm me with jealous care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!
4. Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.
Thought for Today: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you;
don’t be distressed, for I am your God.
I give you strength, I give you help,
I support you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)(Complete Jewish Bible).
Please pray: That many people in Benin will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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