Delusions

Focus verses: Jeremiah 23:25-40

The job of a prophet is not without risk. There is the possibility of getting so enamored of the power of the position that one hears his own thoughts rather than the word of God from the Lord.

Power is a heady commodity. It tends to make people believe they are more than they actually are. We've all seen the local politician who forgets that his position is to represent the people who elected him. He decides what he thinks is best for the community rather than acting as the representative for the community.

When one is a prophet of God, one needs to be very sure of the source of his information. The word of God will not be denied. And God will not be mocked nor misrepresented.

The result of misconstruing God's word is dire. To be cast away from the presence of the Lord, to be shamed for eternity, these are consequences to be assiduously avoided.

Father, God,

Tune our ears to Your voice alone. Let us not be lured by the voices of our dreams or petty aspirations. Give us the grace to know Your voice from all others.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

I must apologize for the tardiness of this post. I seemed to be having a technical problem with Blogger this morning.

Foreshadowing Of The Messiah

Focus verses: Isaiah 50:4-13

Although these verses really speak of the coming Messiah, they can also be said of the devoted Christian.

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. Our tongues can know the words God would have us speak. We need only to listen to Him, read His word, obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

God does not speak to us simply to tickle our ears and give us something about which to be smug and supercilious. He speaks to us for the good of His body, the church universal.

Look at the progression here. He wakens me morning by morning -- every morning -- to listen like an avid learner listens to a favorite teacher.

Who wakens us? The Sovereign Lord. It appears four times in this passage. Sovereign Lord. When God is our Sovereign, there is nothing the world can do to shake us and our security in Him.

The second part of the progression is "I have not been rebellious." We cannot put our wills against the will of God and be either right or successful.

The third part is "I have not drawn back." I have not been timid nor slow to obey what my ears have heard. When we listen to God, our obedience must be immediate. We are not to question God's directives. There is a time for doing each thing. If we miss the time because of reluctance or timidity, we have actually been disobedient. Not a thing which a child of God should wish.

The fourth part of this progression is one I'd just as soon not look at. I offered my back to those who beat me... This is definitely a picture of Christ at His trials before the crucifixion. And it goes on with the pulled beard and mocking and spitting. Ugh!

I'd just as soon not have to go through stuff like this. But He did. And if He did, those of us who bear His name will go through similar trials as well. Don't take my word for it.

Jesus is speaking here: John 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

And this is the end of our progression. If our Sovereign Lord has overcome the world, if He is our vindication, then nothing the world can do to us will have any lasting effect in eternity.

Father, God,

Help us to be eager to listen and swift to obey. Keep us faithful in Your service no matter how the world responds to us.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.