The earth by his power, the world by his wisdom

The earth by his power, the world by his wisdom

Scripture:- He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Jeremiah 51:15-16

Observation: Powerful volcanoes, mighty hurricanes, great earthquakes, tornadoes and tidal waves. The forces of nature bring awe and terror to the inhabitants of the earth. Events such as these remind us of the latent power inherent in the earth and the frailty of our human existence in the light of the great energy holding the world together. They remind of us the greatness of God, the power of the great Creator, the magnificent wisdom by which He has put all things together on earth.

When we think of the earth, we think of the fruit of the soil, the animals that roam the wild, and the dust from which men was made. God in His power made it all. When we think of the world, we think of the miracle of life, the myriad of incredible interactions and processes that make life go on, the air that we breathe, the food chain, the law of gravity, the laws of nature that give stability and order to life itself. All these were made possible only by the wisdom of God. When we think of the heavens, the vast skies that stretch out infinitely above us, we can only wonder at how great and how vast is the understanding of the mighty living God of Heaven for He made it all.

When God speaks, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens. He has set the system in place whereby water condensates as vapors to the skies, and comes down again as rain. The clash of the clouds bring forth lightning. And God controls too the great winds of the earth, that bring joy and sorrow in all the earth in different forms.

Application: Since God is all-powerful, let us depend on Him. Since God is all-wise, ask Him for wisdom. Since God has all-understanding, seek out and listen to what He has said in His Word. God created by His Word. We too create with the words we speak. If we speak words that tear down and destroy, we will create a sad, negative world. If we speaks words that build up and give life, we will create a beautiful, life-giving world. It is all in the words we speak.

Prayer:- Lord, You are all-powerful and all-wise and all-understanding. I will ever trust in Your power alone. Grant me wisdom I pray that I might live life in a way that glorifies you, and grant me understanding that I might know Your Word today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Call to me, and I will answer thee

Call to me, and I will answer thee

Scripture:-

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth Jeremiah 33:6

Observation:- In chapter 3 of Jeremiah 33, there are two verses that particularly spring up to my attention. The first is a famous and marvelous verse. Jeremiah 33:3 gives us the picture of us calling out to the Lord, and the Lord answering us, and showing us great and mighty things, we which never could have imagined.

Driven into a corner, with no hope left, many a sinner has called out to God “God, if you are real, show yourself to me.”, and God has answered, and turned their lives completely round. This is God’s promise “Call to me, and I will answer you”. In the Psalms, there is a wonderful verse which says “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the sons of man, to see if there are any who understand, any who seek Him”. The Lord’s eyes are looking for those who will look up to heaven and seek Him. Later, in the Acts, it is written that God is not far from anyone of us and we need only to reach out and find Him.

The second verse highlighted in this chapter, is about God’s healing power and peace. Jehovah Rapha means God is my healer, and indeed it is in God’s nature to heal, to cure. When Jesus came, He went throughout the land, healing every disease and sickness among the people. Sickness is a symptom of sin, brought about by the fall of men, but in Jesus, we are cured from sin, and from every disease.

It is further written that God will reveal His abundance of peace and truth. In God, there is always abundance, more than we could ever need. In Him is overflowing peace, overflowing truth.

We would do most well to seek Him and to ask for His abundant healing, peace and truth.

Application: Call to God, really call out to Him. Ask Him to be real in your life. Without Him, there is no true meaning or peace in life. If you are sick, believe that God can heal you, that He wants to heal you. Keep believing, even if doctors say there is no hope. See Jesus on the cross, taking all our sickness and infirmities. It is written, He bore our infirmities and our sicknesses. Ask God to show you His abundant peace and truth. Ask Him to show you great and unsearchable things.

Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart, that I might see You. In You O Lord is hope and peace. Show me the abundance of your peace and truth. Show yourself so real in my life O Lord. You are worthy of all honor and praise. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thoughts of peace and not of evil

Thoughts of peace and not of evil

Scripture:- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Observation:- Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the Bible’s most beloved verses and embodies the thoughts of our great and loving God. As is written, the Lord thinks about us, and his thoughts are thoughts of peace, not evil, and He desires us to have a hope and a future. This does not mean that all in life will be smooth sailing and a bed of roses. Even Jesus Himself and His disciples endured very difficult times as they served God, but despite everything that happened, they always had that firm confidence that God loved them and was with them through everything, even death.

The second part is a promise for us, that if we call upon God, and pray to God, He will listen to us. If we seek Him, with all our heart, He will let us find Him. Deep in each person’s heart is a desire to seek God and to know God. The things of the world may come to the forefront, and distract her for a while, but in the quietness, if we truly reflect within ourselves, we will find that we are looking for God. It is in our nature, as beings specially created in God’s image.

Perhaps some of us are in a bad situation, when calamity and misfortune seems to be upon us. Can we still believe that the Lord’s thought are upon us for peace and a future? Can we still believe God’s Word is true? This is where faith comes in, to see beyond the physical but into the future, like Abraham who believed God for a son through Sarah, like Noah who believed God would send the Flood, like Job who refused to forsake God even when every calamity imaginable had struck him.

Application:- Praise God for His thoughts of peace and goodness to us. Submit our future to God who makes all things work together for those who love Him. Be quiet and seek God with all our hearts.

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for Your loving kindness and faithfulness towards me. I entrust my future to Your hands O Lord. I seek You in the morning, dear Lord. Reveal Yourself to me, I pray. In Jesus name, Amen

By my great power and outstretched arm

By my great power and outstretched arm

Scripture:- I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me Jeremiah 27:5

Observation:- Firstly, we observe that God has made the earth. All creation is made by God. It did not come into being by an accident or by chance. The earth came into being because God had a purpose and will behind it. He is Creator God.

Secondly, God made man and beast that live on the ground. The world of animals is so rich and vibrant with countless miracles operating within each individual habitat and specie. Think of the way the little ants work together unceasingly in a marvelous network to build a home for their queen. Marvel at the industry and expertise of the beaver in building a dam on the river.  How incredible it is to watch a little bird hopping to and fro within the jaws of the mighty crocodile picking at the meat in between the teeth. The crocodile will not harm her but appreciates her for cleaning its teeth. The way a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, the skill with which the mongoose battles a king cobra, the way the little mammals hibernate in the winter. Truly God has made an amazing world of animals.

However, chief of God’s creation is man, and we must never forget that it is God who created us and it is us God is most concerned about. Just as a vase is made by the potter to be a vase, just as a builder has built a house to be a home, we too are created for a special purpose, and we can only find true meaning in life if we do what we are created to do. Why did God create us and give us our intellect? - So that we might know Him, so that we might please Him in living good lives with Him and with each other.

Thirdly, God created the earth and all things by His great power and outstretched arm. The outstretched arm gives us the impression that God held nothing back, but created marvelously and beautifully according to the full passion of His creativity. How beautiful the evening and morning skies. How beautiful the great mountains, and vast oceans, the deserts and the snowy plains. God has certainly made all things well.

Finally, God has given the earth to whomever He saw fit to give. Throughout history, we have seen the rise and fall of great kings and dictators, great empires, and powerful armies. Yet all who have power over the earth for a time are allowed that authority by God, according to His wisdom. Many times, we do not understand, and despair at the ruthlessness of poor governments and corrupt leaders but behind the scenes, God is there, and holds all things in His hands. Nothing is impossible for God. We need only be patient and wait for His timing, which is perfect.

Application:- Thank God for the wonderful earth that He has created. Learn to enjoy the simple things in nature, a evening sky, the birds calmly flying overhead, a nearby stream, simple trees growing by the side of the road, and thank God often. If we are in despair or in a difficult situation because of those in authority above us, do not give up. Keep praying, and thank God that He holds all things in His hands, and He will give us great deliverance at just the right time.

Prayer: Father God, I praise You for the great works of Your hands. How amazing you creation, the skies, the moon and the sun, the beautiful trees and the incredible animals and insects that roam across the earth. Father God, Your will is sovereign and I submit my situation to you. I trust that You, O Lord will make everything work perfectly in Your good time. Bless You Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

I will build them, I will plant them

I will build them, I will plant them

Scripture:- For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart Jeremiah 24:6-7

Observation:- It is God’s natural desire to bless, to do good to His creation, to let them live peacefully and enjoy their lives. Our Lord Jesus said that God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. In all creation, we can see the inherent goodness of God. Even in the seasons, summer and winter, spring and autumn, we see the faithfulness and goodness of God.

Prophesying of the future, the Lord tells the people through Jeremiah of a time when His eyes will only be upon them for good, when they will be built up and planted in the land. In the Psalms, it is written that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain, and unless the Lord stands guard over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Our bodies are said to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as the Spirit dwells in us, our spirit man is built up strongly in the Lord. In every congregation of believers, small or big, it is also the Lord who builds up and strengthens the church.

Another picture painted here is the Lord planting his people. In Isaiah 61, it is prophesied of our Lord Jesus that the Spirit of the Lord will anoint him to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to set the captives free, and they will be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. In Psalm 1, also, we see the picture of the man who loves God Word being like a tree planted by streams of living water.

The Lord builds us that we may become strong, and plants us where we might receive living water and nourishment.

And the Lord goes on to say that He will give His people a new heart so that they may know Him. To know God is our primary purpose in life. It’s so important for us to set our hearts to know God and He will reveal Himself to us through His Holy Spirit. In the end, we are destined to be with God, living together with Him – God as our God, and we are His people.

Application:- Open our eyes and see that God is building us strong and faithful in Christ, and He is planting, setting us near His living Word which gives us life and nourishment. Desire in our hearts to know God more and ask God to reveal more of Himself to us. Look forward to the day when we will dwell with God and with Jesus forever.

Prayer:- O Lord, continue the good work you have started in me. Build me, plant me in Your great love and wisdom. O Lord Jesus, I desire to know You more. Show more and more of Yourself to me I pray. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Lord our righteousness

The Lord our righteousness

Scripture:- Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6

Observation:- Wow! What a wonderful Scripture! It speaks about a glorious day in the future, when God will raise up a King born in the line of David who would reign and prosper, and execute judgment and justice in the earth. Judah and Israel shall dwell safely and the name of the King will be called “The Lord our righteousness!”

This prophecy of course can be about none other than our Lord Jesus Himself. When Jesus came as a man the first time, the Jews expected Him to immediately fulfill this prophecy, to overthrow the reign of Rome, and establish His government on the earth in Judah and Israel. However, this prophecy speaks not of His first coming but His second coming, which has yet to occur.

We get a glimpse of the Lord’s rule in Revelation 19 where we see Him coming down from heaven on a white horse, and ruling the nations with a rod of iron. In Revelation 20, it is written, that Jesus is to reign for a thousand years with His saints before the Final Battle.

In today’s world, governments are corrupt, and the rich become richer while the poor become poorer. However, when the Lord comes, He will rule with justice and righteousness. There will be peace in the land and safety. Imagine a world with no crime, no poverty. The name of the Lord is so important.

The Lord our righteousness. We should learn to call our Lord by His name. Why is He our righteousness? Because He died for us, our Lord Jesus has become our righteousness. As Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 5:21, God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us so that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. This is one of the most important exchanges that Jesus Christ did for us when He died for us on the cross. He took our sin, and gave us His righteousness. What does it mean to be righteous? It means to be blameless. Imagine if you were wearing a dirty, smelly, wretched coat, and you came to Jesus who was wearing a bright, clean, white coat. He takes off his nice, beautiful coat and gives it to you and instead wears your dirty coat. Think of the terms robes of righteousness. The righteousness is not our own. Our human righteousness are really like filthy rags. It is our Lord Jesus’ pure, holy, perfect righteousness.

As we begin to see ourselves wearing robes of righteousness, we will begin to see our lives changing as the Holy Spirit works in us.

Application: Meditate on the name the Lord our righteousness. Thank Jesus for becoming our righteousness. See ourselves wearing robes and righteousness throughout the day.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You that You are our perfect righteousness. We thank You, Lord that on the cross You took all our sin, that we might receive all Your righteousness. Help me see Your robes on righteousness on Me, O Lord. It is only in You that I have life. Praise Your Holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.

Footmen and horses

Footmen and horses

Scripture:- If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5

Observation:- Jeremiah starts off complaining to God about how the wicked and the treacherous prosper. He speaks of the land mourning and the beasts and birds perishing because of the wicked in the land.

The Lord answers Jeremiah in a most interesting way. Firstly, he gives him the picture of a man running with footmen compared to the same man running with horses. Jeremiah was bogged down by little things, easily upset by some of the early opposition that beset him. However, the Lord had in mind far greater things for Jeremiah. His ministry would grow and his name become more and more powerful as Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry for the Lord would lead him to become one of the most important prophets of his time. For us too, sometimes we become weary and tired and discouraged over little things, little setbacks. However, our loving Lord has in mind far greater things for us. We need to look beyond the immediate problems and inconveniences, but continue to seek the destiny that the Lord has for us. We are meant to run with horses and not just with footmen.

Secondly, the Lord gave the contrasting pictures of a land at peace compared to a flood when the river Jordan overflowed. In our peaceful land, we are angry over traffic jams and poor service, but in places like Japan, where life and death is touch and go and many have lost everything in the earthquake and tsunami, they have a much deeper perspective of things. If we do not know how to be thankful to God and appreciate peace during the good times, how can we survive when terrible disaster comes? Indeed, we need to learn to look at the big picture, and be thankful for the simple things in life.

Application:- Meditate on how easily we are frustrated and angry at very little things. Ask God to help us look at life from a deeper perspective, and learn to be thankful for the simple, little things.

Prayer:- Lord, thank You for all that You give me in Your wonderful love. Help me appreciate the little things in life, and develop a deeper perspective and not to be troubled or angry over small things. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen. 

The progression of sin

The progression of sin

Scripture:- Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. Jeremiah 11:8

Observation:- In Jeremiah’s discourse to the people, the Lord declared in this verse three things that the people of Judah did wrong in breaking the covenant with the Lord. Firstly, they did not obey. Secondly, they did not listen. Thirdly, they walked according to their evil heart.

The first sin, the sin of disobedience gives us the picture of a person knowing a law but purposely breaking it. For example, a boy has been told not to steal, but still goes ahead and steals. He knows the law, he knows it is wrong, but still goes ahead and does it.

The second sin, not listening, is the sin of rebellion. One gets the image of a mother scolding a child for some mischief, but the child just ignores her or lets the words go in one ear and come out the other.

The third sin, living according to one’s own pleasure is outright lawlessness. The child has totally no regard for rules or right and wrong anymore but goes out and does whatever appeals to him. The result is recklessness and total disregard for morality and justice.

We can see here that there is a progression of sins:- First, law-breaking, then a hardening of the heart, and then, total disregard for one’s conscience. In Romans 1, Paul talks about this degeneration. Although God’s qualities and existence was clear to all from His creation, men did not glorify God or expressed thanks to Him but instead in their vain imaginations, made and worshipped images of men and animals. So God gave them up to vile affections, so that men and women did even things against the laws of nature.   

Application:- Some of us may be trapped in a particular area of disobedience. The Holy Spirit may be speaking to us to come out and repent. We need to listen to God’s voice and change. If we continue hardening our hearts, it is a matter of time before we degrade into worse and worse conditions of sin.

Prayer: Lord, you know my heart and all my thoughts. Forgive me, O Lord, in the area where I am disobedient to You. Set me free by the power of Your blood, Lord Jesus, and help me walk in the right way. I bless you and thank You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The signs of heaven

The signs of heaven

Scripture:- Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jeremiah 10:2

Observation:- What are the signs of heaven? Great thunderstorms, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tsunamis and floods. Even the absence of rain is a great sign, for without rain, the crops perish and the people suffer. How did the heathen respond to these? They made idols out of wood, silver and gold, they worshipped the sun and the moon, the rain, the river, the mountains, the volcanoes. They thought that these things were gods and worshipped them out of fear.

However, we who have the Word of God know better. We know that the earth and all in it were created by the God of Heaven who spoke and brought everything into being. The Book of Genesis is a very important book, and suitably placed at the very beginning of the Bible. We take for granted that it should be common knowledge, but to many, without clear faith that everything was created by God in the beginning, they all too easily fall astray. Indeed, belief in God’s creation is fundamental to our whole Christian belief.

Today, as science has brought much to light, education has caused most in the developed world to forsake the old tendencies to attribute natural disasters to local deities and basic elements of nature. How can man still worship the moon when people have already gone there and stepped on it? However, in their “deep” learning, many in the upper echelons of education have instead attributed everything to a “big bang” and “evolution”, and even discounted the existence of God. They too, in their unbelieving, are dismayed at the signs of heaven because for them, there is no deeper purpose in the scheme of things. Life and existence is without true meaning or hope for them. They only can stand back and watch and wait for their time to end as man’s self-destruction of the earth draws nearer and nearer.

However, for us, who have the Word of God, we know that there is a purpose to all of this, and we can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again in the skies as the ultimate sign of heaven.  Therefore, earthquake or tidal wave, wars or famine, let us not be dismayed but look to heaven for our Lord will come again soon.

Application:- Do not be dismayed at the signs and events around that bring us closer to the end of days. Instead, watch and continue to keep close to the Lord. He is coming again soon.

Prayer: Lord, though all else may fall around me, let my eyes be ever continually on You. You are my strength and my shield, my refuge in times of trouble. I look forward to Your coming O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Let him that glorieth glory in this

Let him that glorieth glory in this

Scripture:- Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Observation: You may be wise, you may be mighty, you may be rich. Yet don’t you boast, don’t you be proud. If you must boast, boast only in this, that you understand and know Me, that I am the Lord who shows loving kindness, justice and righteousness.

Some run after education and learning. These are not wrong in themselves but some make it their god. They love to run up long qualifications after their names – degrees, PHDs, lofty names and titles. They may think they are wise and learned and their ego puffs them up.

Some run after fame in their achievements. Climbing the highest mountains, swimming the farthest distances, running the fastest races. Again these are not wrong, but people make them their god. It is all about winning, and the accolades and personal glory that go with being the winner, the champion. They feel so special, so strong because of their achievements.

And many run after money and material riches. One earns his first million, and immediately wants 5. One drives a fine Toyota Altis, but immediately craves for a BMW. Once he attains riches, he feels great and begins to think he has it made.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he calls it self-actualization, to satisfy the great human ambition that is in each of our hearts. But what did Jesus say? Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it! These superficial things give temporary satisfaction, but education and achievement and riches will soon pass away, together with world, but in the end, what truly matters? When all things fade away, all that is left is us and God. When we get to Heaven’s door, would we be able to honestly say that we know the Lord? That we understand Him and know what He wants?

What does God treasure? Loving kindness, justice, righteousness. Are these part of our lives? The most important of these is love. We love because God first loved us. God is love. This is the first thing we must learn and know in our relationship with God – that He loves us, and as His love remains in us, we must love others.

Application:- Examine our lives to see if we have made other things our gods – whether it be education or achievement or money. Come back to the basic most important thing – which is to know God. Thank God for loving you – Father, Spirit, Son.

Prayer:- Thank You, Father in Heaven, that You love me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You love me. Thank You, Holy Spirit that You love me. Help me remain in Your love, O Lord, and let me love others with Your love. Let my old man recede, and let the new man come alive in me. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Obey my voice, and I will be your God

Obey my voice, and I will be your God

Scripture:- But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. Jeremiah 7:23

Observation:- What does God command? Obey my voice! Where do we hear God’s voice? Mainly by reading His Word in the Bible. Can we call God our God, but not obey Him? No, if we do not obey Him, He is not our God, and we are not His people. What is the result of hearing God’s voice and walking in His ways? Things will go well with us. That is the promise of God for those who obey Him.

Now, during Old Testament times, when God gave the law through Moses spelling out His righteous requirements, the people of Israel failed miserably. In response, God told them that in the future, He would establish a new covenant with them, writing His law on their hearts and minds. And this was established when Jesus came as the mediator of the new covenant and gave us His Holy Spirit, the Great Counselor and Teacher who would guide us how to live according to God’s ways. However, does that mean there is no longer any need or effort on our part to obey God’s commandments. Does having a new heart mean that we will automatically obey God and do what is righteous? No! We are saved by grace, through faith, and not by works. We are new creations in God when we receive Jesus into our hearts. Yet, we find that we are still not perfect. We still have many weaknesses and sins. It is true that our works cannot earn our salvation or help us keep our salvation. We are saved only by the righteousness of Jesus Christ through His perfect sacrifice. We are forgiven, past, present, future by the blood of Jesus, but as Jesus said, ”I am the vine, you are the branches, remain in Me and I will remain in you”.

How do we remain in Jesus? By obeying Him, reading His Word and listening to the Holy Spirit which He has given us. We have a great advantage over those in the Old Testament because the Holy Spirit is with us to guide us and counsel us. Still, we have to make a conscious choice to obey His voice. There are still many things on earth that vie for our attention and call us to do or see things that are contrary to the will of the Holy Spirit. However, the Holy Spirit will not force His will upon us for that is not His way. If we continue to grieve the Holy Spirit by disobedience, a time will come when He may not remain with us.

How do we know we are walking by the Holy Spirit? Is our walk moving us to greater love of God and of Jesus and of others? Is the Word coming alive to us? Is what we are doing giving us peace and joy? The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. If we are growing in these, we must be growing in the Holy Spirit.

Application:- Seek out the Holy Spirit whom Jesus has given us when we received Him. Let us learn to be obedient to His voice, and also reading the Word often and the fruit in our lives to make sure we are following the right path.

Prayer:- Lord, open my eyes and ears that I may see and hear what Your Spirit says to me. Mould my heart to seek Your will O Lord. Let me always remain in you, Lord Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen.

Stand, see, ask and walk

Stand, see, ask and walk

Scripture:- Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16

Observation:- In this powerful verse from Jeremiah, we see a model of how we are to live life according to God’s ways.

Firstly, we are to Stand in the ways. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Since Jesus is the way, to stand in the way means to come to Jesus. Another important aspect about standing in the way is to stand in the Word. Our Lord Jesus is after all the Word made flesh. So, it is firstly, coming to Jesus and coming to the Word!

Secondly, we are to See. In our meditations, it is good to close our eyes and look at Jesus and behold His marvelous face. As we read the Word, we are called to open our eyes and see what the Spirit may show us.

Thirdly, we are to Ask – to ask for the old paths, where is the good way. Jesus said “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you.” Our attitude is to seek what is good and where in our lives we need to change.

Fourthly, we are to Walk therein – After we receive learning from spending time with Jesus and the Word, looking and asking, we must apply what we learn. James exhorts us to be doers of the word and not hearers only for a man who hears the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror and goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Finally, we see the result of doing these:- We will find rest for our souls. Remember the words of Jesus “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Application:- Make it a point to come to Jesus, to come to the Word daily, and spend time looking. Then ask, and after receiving wisdom, walk in what we have learnt.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I spend time with You and behold Your lovely face, reveal much truth to me, and teach me how I should change to be more like You. Open my eyes to see Your Word that I may hear the Words You speak to me. Let me not be only a hearer but also a doer of all You teach me. In Jesus name, Amen.

The former and latter rains

The former and latter rains

Scripture: Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest Jeremiah 5:24

Observation:- In Jeremiah Chapter 5, we see that one of the Lord’s rebuke of His people was that they did not fear the Lord who gave them both the former and the latter rains in His season. Now, regarding the former and latter rains, they refer to the two main rainy seasons in Israel each year. The former rain at the end of spring was for the harvest of grain, and the latter rain at the end of autumn was for fruit. As there was no rain in summer, these two rains were crucial for Israel for harvest. Without these rains, there would be drought and a very difficult time for the people indeed.

For us too, there are different seasons in our lives. There are seasons where we enjoy rain and harvest. There are seasons where we have to wait and be patient while waiting for our fruit to grow. The people of Israel took God’s sun and rain for granted and turned away from God. For us, it is important to recognize and be aware that all blessings come from God, even the blessings that we do not deserve. Jesus said that our Father in Heaven causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous in Matthew 5:45. In good seasons, when we are blessed, we should be thankful to God and appreciate all He gives us. In not so good seasons, we need to continue to seek Him and trust Him and wait patiently for the latter rain, the blessings that He will give according to His timing.

Symbolically, the picture of God pouring out His Spirit on us is likened to rain. As prophesied through the prophet Joel, since God first poured out His Spirit at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has continued to move mightily  in various times and places, bringing revival to diverse nations.

Individually, some of us perhaps remember a time when we were really on fire for God, but over time, perhaps we have grown cold and less passionate. That initial time could be for us like the former rain, but in these last days, as we seek God, He may send upon us His latter rain, a new drive and passion to serve Him and seek the lost as He pours out His Spirit upon us and inspires and empowers us to do more for His glory that we could ever hope for or imagine.

Application:- Be aware that there are seasons of blessing and seasons of testing, but no matter what, always praise God and trust in Him. Ask our Father in Heaven to pour forth more and more of His Spirit upon us, like rain.

Prayer: Father Lord, I thank You that You make all things beautiful in Your time. Strengthen me O Lord. In good seasons and difficult seasons, let me always revere Your name. Fill me, Father in Heaven, with more and more of Your Holy Spirit, like rain. In Jesus name, Amen.

  

The fallow ground and the thorns

The fallow ground and the thorns

Scripture:- For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Jeremiah 4:3

Observation:- In this Scripture, we see the Lord continue to call the men of Judah and Jerusalem to repentance. Firstly, the Lord calls them to break up their fallow ground, which is a reference to their hearts. Fallow ground is uncultivated, barren and unfit for planting crop until it is broken up and tilled. For us too, our hearts are sometimes like that, hardened, set in our own ways. We cannot move forward and bear fruit for the Lord until we let the Lord break up the hardness of our hearts. This may involve some pain, some hardship, but ultimately, it is necessary for us to bear good fruit later.

Remember how Jesus said “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Imagine coming to Jesus and letting Him give us His yoke, and till our hearts according to His Words. As we come to Jesus, and wait and spend time with Him, we will be surprised how easily our heart softens and changes in His presence.

Secondly, the Lord warns the men not to sow among thorns. Here, the parable of the seed comes to mind. Jesus spoke of how when the farmer scatters the seed, it falls on different types of grounds. Some of the seed fell on thorny ground where thorns grew up with the seed making it unfruitful. The Lord explained that the thorns as the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things which come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Are we worried? We must learn to cast our cares on Jesus and trust Him? Are we beginning to be deceived by wealth? We must not let money master us, but realize that money is only fleeting and temporary, but instead seek God’s kingdom. Are our desires always for other things? It could be certain hobbies we are obsessed with, it could be food, it could be shopping, movies, relationships, anything at all that always fills our minds and hearts and takes away our attention from Jesus and His Words.

Application: Spend time with Jesus in reading His Word and praying, and let Him break up the fallow ground of our hearts and cultivate it according to His ways. Beware of the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires of other things that come in and choke the Word. Ask God for forgiveness and wisdom and strength to overcome the temptations of the world.

Prayer:- Lord Jesus, draw my heart to spend much time with You, that my heart may be changed to Your ways in love. Keep my eyes away from the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things. In Jesus name, Amen.

Pastors according to mine heart

Scripture:- And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

Observation: Moving on to Jeremiah Chapter 3, we see the Lord calling to Israel and Judah to repent and turn back to Him, and one of the promises He made to them was that He would give them pastors according to the Lord’s own heart, who would feed them with knowledge and understanding.

After the Lord’s resurrection, He called out Peter again to commission him to take care of His church. Three times the Lord asked Peter “Do you love me?” and then commissioned Peter to feed His sheep, His lambs. The main role of pastors and leaders of the church is to feed the congregation, with knowledge and understanding of the ways of God.

What sets aside a good pastor or a good shepherd? It is one who seeks God’s heart, who wants to know what is important to God and teach the people accordingly. A pastor who focuses on himself and his own glory does not have a heart according to God’s heart. His main priority is his own pride and not God’s glory.

How do we know if a pastor is after the heart of God? We can see much in his attitude to Jesus. If he is in love with Jesus, and this love shows in his speech, and action, we know he is a good pastor. As emphasized by the apostle John, God is love, and whoever knows God must walk in love. The pastor who loves God and love his people is a good shepherd, for he walks after the Lord Himself who is the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep and whose sheep knows Him.

Application:- Not all of us are called to be pastors or leaders, but all of us are called to seek God’s heart, like King David of old. Though a young shepherd boy, he was dearly loved by God because of the way he looked for God. He was a man after God’s own heart. Pray too for our pastors and leaders, that they may have a heart after God’s own heart, for in so doing, they will be wonderful pastors and shepherd indeed.

Prayer:- Lord, help me to have a heart which is after Your own, that I may know Your will – what You love and what is important to You. I lift up to You, Lord, my Pastors, my leaders. Grant them a heart after Your own, that they may serve You in deep love and knowledge and understanding. In Jesus name, Amen.

The fountain of living waters

The fountain of living waters

Scripture:- For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13

Observation:- In his early message to Israel, the prophet Jeremiah was required to deliver a harsh rebuke. Although Israel had been specially handpicked and made into a great nation in a beautiful country by the Lord, they had forsaken Him time and again and ran after other gods. In this particular verse, the picture is given of Israel forsaking fountains of living waters for man-made cisterns which were broken and could hold no water.

This is a question that we too need to ask ourselves? Where is our security, our source of strength? Is it in the fountain of living waters which is our Lord, or is it in man, or even in our own wisdom and strength? The beautiful description of the fountain of living waters is also referred to by Jesus of the Holy Spirit. He said that to the Samaritan woman at the well:- Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. In Isaiah, it is written “by springs of water he shall guide them.

In the Proverbs, it is written “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it” and ”The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook”. The Holy Spirit is the source of all wisdom, and as our Guide and Counselor, we would do well to heed His voice and His counsel rather than trust in the wisdom of men.

Application: See God as the fountain of living waters, in particular the Holy Spirit which Jesus gives us. He is life and wisdom that comes from within us. Ask God to help us discern the Holy Spirit and listen to His voice, that His wisdom and love and peace may become living water flowing out of our lives.

Prayer: Father God, give me more of Your Spirit in Jesus name. Let Your Holy Spirit be a wellspring of life flowing out from within me, blessing others with wisdom and joy and love and peace. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Before I formed you, I knew you

Before I formed you, I knew you

Scripture:- Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Jeremiah 1:5-7

Observation: At the commencement of the book of Jeremiah, we see the calling of the major prophet to God’s service as a young man, fearful and apprehensive in his youth. His response is similar to that of Moses, who upon receiving God’s calling, gave the excuse that he could not speak well.

God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you, I knew you. Even from your mother’s womb, I ordained you as a prophet to the nations!” This is true in a sense for every one of us. Before we were even formed, God already knew us, and what we would be. He already prepared the destiny that would be ours to fulfill.

Does everyone fulfill the destiny that God has meant for him? No! Sadly, many fall away because of their pride or love for the things of the world. Saul could have been a great king, but forsook his destiny because of his pride and recklessness. Judas walked with Jesus for 3 years, and could have been a great apostle, but instead became cursed as traitor of the Lord Himself. Now, some may ask, if it was prophesied that Judas would be the traitor, where was his free will in this? Why did God allow him to be in that situation where he had no choice but to fall? Questions like these are hard for us to understand, and at our human level, there are some things we cannot really fully comprehend. For instance, our thinking is limited in a sense to the concept of time, past, present, future, but to God, who is timeless, He has seen the future. He has even been in the future. What the apostle John saw in Revelation is actually what took place in the future.

However, what we do know is that we have free choice today, in the present, where we are. It is our choice whether to submit to God and move towards the future He has planned for us or go our own way and satisfy our own ambitions and pleasures. God has ordained each one of us to be in His service in one way or another. We are not here for no reason, but we must find that reason in God for only in His will, will we truly be satisfied and fulfilled.

Now looking at Jeremiah’s response, it is typical of many of us today. Jeremiah wisely knew that it was no joke to be God’s servant, and at that time, if he had the faintest idea what he would have to go through, he would fall on his knees and beg God for mercy. He rightly pointed out that he was still young, and it was unlikely the older and wiser would listen to him. However, God reassured him. “Go to whom I tell you to go to. Speak what I tell you to speak.” God promised to be with him every step of the way. And that is how God works with us to. If we seek Him, He will tell us where to go, what to say, one day at a time.

Application:- Know that each one of us has a destiny from birth prepared by God. Seek to fulfill God’s destiny for us by seeking to follow Him one day at a time, to go where He wants us to go, and say what He wants us to say. God’s Spirit is with us, to guide us. He is our Counselor.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the destiny that You planned for me, even from my mother’s womb. Help me fulfill that destiny by following you every day, one step at a time. Tell me where to go, and what to say, and teach my heart to hear Your voice. In Jesus name, Amen.