Daily Reading // Jeremiah 1-6
(Find the daily reading on Pastor Jim’s Blog)
https://jholm5.wixsite.com/pastor-jim-blog
S // SCRIPTURE
Select a verse from today’s reading
Jeremiah 1:18-19 (NKJV) 18 For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land-- Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I [am] with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.”
O // OBSERVATION
Why did this verse get your attention? Make a simple observation from the text
God raised Jeremiah up as a prophet. He spoke for the Lord. Others said they spoke for the Lord, but they were using God’s name in vain. They were trying to put their words in God’s mouth and strengthen their position with God’s affirmation. It was all fraud.
Jeremiah, as a true prophet of God, was sent against the nationalism of his day “against the whole land-- Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land.”
These were God’s people!
To be anti-Judah in that day, including Jerusalem and the place of God’s Temple, was as if you were anti-God. Nationalism and patriotism had substituted itself for following God. Jeremiah spoke his pro-God, anti-Judah message. As you might imagine, it was intensely unpopular.
A // APPLICATION
How can I apply this to my life today?
We have a similar caution today. Some are substituting patriotism and Americanism for following after Jesus. Making political powers happy, on either side, or attacking political positions, on either side, is not God’s chief end.
God did not spare Israel, Judah or Jerusalem because of their strong nationalism. God is not American. God loves people, American or otherwise.
Being a crusader for the red, white and blue does not equate to advancing the kingdom of God.
Let’s not confuse nationalism with godliness.
P // PRAYER
Express yourself in prayer
Father, Help me see Your great love for all people no matter their politics, geography or history. Amen.
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