Read Jeremiah 43
The ‘remnant’ of Judah found themselves in a similar situation. They sought the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah. They promised to walk in total obedience even if the Word was unfavourable to them. But as soon as the Word had come to them, they decided to walk in disobedience and travel to Egypt anyway.
When Jeremiah brought the Word to the people the arrogant men accused him of lying and of seeking to kill them or have them exiled to Babylon. They used their own logic. The fields in Judah hadn’t been sown because of the siege. There would be nothing to harvest. Starvation would quickly follow. The city itself was in ruins. The temple was destroyed. But in contrast, Egypt was at peace. There was abundant food there. And so the leaders led the people off to Egypt in direct disobedience to the Word of the Lord.
Like the remnant we often look at the situation before us and make our own decisions based on our own logic. How often do we lay aside the Word of God thinking that we know better.
God had planned to “bless” the remnant as they lived in Judah but they stubbornly chose to travel to Egypt because there was food there and no war.
You and I need to realise that God’s plans and God’s ways are better than ours. Our logic and our thinking are no match for God’s. In Romans 8:28-30 we read:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
29 For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
God may have unimaginable good in store for us, great ‘blessing’ and growth and even greater glory for Himself as we walk a particular path, even a rocky path with many dangers. But as we seek in our own wisdom and ability to walk a different path we rob ourselves of that good and we rob God of the glory due to His great name.
The reality is simple. If God asks you to walk down pathway A, even though it might be filled with testing or hardship or suffering, then this is the best pathway for you to walk down. Trying to find an alternate route only lead to pointless pain and suffering.
Prayer:
Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for
Adoration:
Confession
Thanks
Supplication:
· Pray for the men on your Session or leadership. Pray that God would grant them an obedient heart, a deep knowledge of the Word of God and the ability to lead the church in God honouring ways.
· Pray that God would bless the work of chaplaincy at Harristown and Glenvale public schools. Ask the Lord to be opening doors for sharing the gospel to both students and staff.
1. In what ways have you personally experienced Romans 8:28-30 to be true?
2. What do you think is the central message of Jeremiah 43?
3. What do you think is the central application of Jeremiah 43?
One on One
One on One
Richard Wurmbrand spent many years of his Christian life in communist gaols for his faith. He was often tortured and beaten for speaking of Jesus, His Lord and Saviour. He endured years of tough, excruciating pain and deafening loneliness.
Throughout these lonely and painful years, Wurmbrand turned his heart and mind to Jesus and to others. Never did he wallow in self pity. But rather looking to Jesus and looking to others, he was able to persevere and endure great tribulation.
In his book, ‘In God’s Underground’ we find great encouragement and blessing. Some quotes are listed below.
The prison years did not seem too long for me, for I discovered, alone in my cell, that beyond belief and love there is a delight in God: a deep and extraordinary ecstasy of happiness that is like nothing in this world.
The conversion of Svetlana Stalin, only daughter of the greatest mass-murderer of Christians, a soul brought up
in the strictest Communist discipline, proves that there is a better weapon against communism than the nuclear bomb—it is the love of Christ.
Knowing that torture lay ahead, I resolved to kill myself rather than betray others. (after the means was removed he wrote) Since God did not want my suicide, then He would give me strength to bear the suffering ahead.
I thought with every blow I received that He also knew such pain, and there was joy in sharing it with Him.
There’s always a good reason to rejoice. There is a God in Heaven and in the heart. I had a piece of bread this morning. It was so good! Look now, the sun is shining! And so many here love me! Every day you do not rejoice is a day lost, my son! You will never have that day again.
Believers often go through tough times. Jeremiah endured for over 40 years an array of physical and verbal attacks. His life was even threatened on several occasions.
Tough times are no reason to turn our back on God. In tough times, as well as good, we are called to rejoice in the Lord. Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always - not just when life is rosy and sweet. Paul himself, like Jeremiah, is a great model to imitate. While in prison (see Acts 16) he and Silas sang hymns of praise to God.
If we wait for persecution or hardship to arise before we think about how to endure it, then we will inevitably fail!
Enduring persecution is much like running a marathon. We will endure if we train and prepare for it. But how do we train and prepare?
Firstly we can develop an attitude of gratitude by putting Phil 3:1, 4:1 into practice daily. Let us learn to rejoice in the Lord, to praise Him and to thank Him moment by moment. If we allow the problems and issues of the world and our lives to irritate us, we will never endure greater persecution.
Secondly we need to learn to set our heart and mind on Christ in the heavenlies. What that means is that the our heart and mind focus on and think about Christ as the default setting. It means that we meditate upon Him and His Word throughout each and everyday, seeking to apply His Word to our lives in that moment.
Personal Questions
1. How’s your prayer life?
2. Describe your current thought life?
3. How’s your relationship with your spouse or your parents?
4. Discuss how and if you’ve struggled with sin/ temptation this week.
5. How are you worshipping God through work, family and social networks?
Read Phil 3:1, 4:1. Col 3:1-4
Pray
For strength to endure any tough times in your life at present.
For those in your church who are enduring tough times that they might rejoice and praise God in their struggles.
For Christians around the world who are struggling because of their faith.
Reflection:
1. How have you reacted to tough times in the past?
2. Can you see a usual pattern of behaviour?
3. Is this pattern godly or ungodly?
4. What is a godly way for you to react in tough times that might come your way in the future?
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