Image from scpeanutgallery.com
It was the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!’ But you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. (Jeremiah 11:18-20)
Wonderful Wednesday to you, dear Friend! As you spend time in prayer, please lift up the Alexander family as their baby daughter, Embree, died yesterday morning. May God's comfort be with Coach Kyle and his wife, Caitrin. As always, please pray for one another, even those you don't know personally - God knows them and God understands their need better than us; pray also for your needs. Prayer is a gift that is best used!
The Old Testament prophets wrote and experienced things that perhaps they knew it was about them, but sensed that it may have been bigger than them, and in their quest to be faithful to God, they wrote and lived what God expected. This passage goes hand in hand with all the scriptures tied to the gospel lesson, that Jesus came for a purpose to this world and the final purpose was to suffer death for our sake. The reaction the prophet Jeremiah had to his ministry by scoffers was noted above. Those who cared not about God and only themselves, saw the best way to shut him up was to have him killed. Sound familiar to Jesus? Of course it does. God gave Jeremiah the ability to sense that he was up against evil men who did evil deeds. And his reaction was to be "like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter." He had to confess he did not know at first that it was he who was to be sacrificed in his detractor's saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!" We still know the name of Jeremiah. The name of his enemies have become like dust, blown away by the wind.
Jesus remains committed to you and your life. He loved you so much He died for you, and greater still He sent His Holy Spirit to be with you to guide and comfort you. What do we offer in return for that? Are we committed to God at any cost like Jeremiah and Jesus? Or, are we ready to run from trouble when we hear of it? I believe our call is to remain faithful and fruitful to all that God may have in store for us. If it involves some trouble or suffering, it's not for all eternity, for God has a way to lift us up and away from that and to restore us. That is the beauty of our faith!
PRAYER: Loving Father, bless this dear reader in whatever stage of life they may find themselves. Your love, comfort, and strength are needed, and You graciously provide it, do so again and again according to our needs. Strengthen our commitment to You, for we want to be faithful and fruitful in all things. And this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show your commitment to God in ways that bless Him today!
Eradio Valverde
TOMORROW THE CAMPAIGN ENDS to have your very own faith shirt from this ministry. Click on this link if you've not yet bought a conversation starter about your faith!
