Tuesday May 26, 2015

Read Jeremiah 18:11-17

Yesterday we saw that God is sovereign over the nations. He is so sovereign that He knows their current actions, their needs and their responses to His Word and rebuke as well. How comforting to know that God is not caught off guard by any individual or nation, no matter wicked or evil it seeks to be.

Jeremiah is called by the Lord to pronounce judgement upon the people and to warn them towards repentance. But God reveals to Jeremiah that the people will reply in Jeremiah 18:12 (NIV84) in a negative way.

But they will reply, ‘It’s no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.’ ”

What follows from God is a scathing warning to the nation that they, God’s own people, have sinned greatly by burning incense to lifeless statues and idols. God’s people have forgotten the one true living God and have turned to idols made of wood and stone, gold and silver. Instead of seeking the one true living God, they have turned and have sought idols and statues.

In response God promises to bring disaster and judgement. In the midst of the disaster God will turn His back and remove His face from the people. Just as they had forgotten God, God will forget them and let them endure the consequences of their actions.

In the midst of all this, try to imagine how Jeremiah felt. He had been called to preach repentance to a stubborn and stiff necked people who would refuse to listen to the warnings given by God. Jeremiah must have felt like he was wasting both his and the Lord’s time. He must have felt like it was a colossal exercise of futility.

You and I must remember that God’s work is never futile or pointless. Even if we don’t see results after years of ministry we must remember that God’s work is never futile or pointless. God's ways are higher than ours. God’s purposes are grander than our imaginations. God’s plans are broader than our understanding. Even if we don’t know God’s plans and purposes, let us faithfully continue serving and ministering knowing that God is at work and that our labours are never in vain.

Prayer:

Using the passage and reading for today spend time in prayer. Use the blank space below to add your own supplications.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

· Pray for the Session of your church that they would be men who know God’s sovereignty and are in tune with His Word. Pray that these men would be close to God and intimate with Him so that they can lead your church in accord with the will and Word of God.

· Pray that your church would grow 30, 60 even 100 fold as the gospel is faithfully preached and as individuals take the Word of Life into their world and share it with others.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Hector comes to you feeling worn out and tired from ministry. He complains to you that he just isn’t seeing results. He’s wondering if it’s time to move on. How can you be an encouragement to Hector?