October 28, 2006 - Jeremiah 15-17 and II Timothy 2
It is difficult to be a leader or to be a prophet. These two passages focus in on some of the struggles. We can learn by seeing what God told Jeremiah and Timothy. I believe every person is a leader in some way. Therefore, we should all take these instructions and apply them in our lives.
God was weary of Israel's rejection and so was Jeremiah. (15:6) Jeremiah followed God and delivered His Word, but no one listened. In fact, they cursed him, instead. (15:10b) Jeremiah loved God's Word, and it was the joy of his life. (15:18) However, now he was experiencing perpetual pain from the people, so the joy had faded. (15:18) He wondered why God had failed him. God came to him to reassure Jeremiah of His love and protection. (15:21) I believe this shows how easy it is for a leader to get discouraged. The key is to keep the focus on the Lord and not on the people. God can build us up, but a discouraged leader does not look to the Lord, but at the problems. We must not let that happen.
Then, God told Jeremiah some difficult instructions. He was not to marry and have children. (16:2) He was not to go to the funerals and the feasts of the people. God had good reasons for saying these things. This would spare Jeremiah the pain of seeing his family die. ((16:4) This would show the people that since they did not listen to God, He was not going to listen to them. (16:11,12) I know this made Jeremiah feel lonely, but it was God's will, so he would sustain him through it all. God is always faithful. As leaders, we have to be willing to do unusual things, when God commands us to do them. We may not understand, but we obey, and God takes care of us. The principle is given in chapter 17. Cursed is the man who trusts in man. (v.5) Blessed is the man who trusts the Lord. (v.7) Leaders are tempted to trust in people, but we must not do that. We must trust God.
II Timothy 2 is Paul's instruction to Timothy to be strong in following God like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. He must teach other men, who can in turn teach others. (v.2) It is a step by step process of keeping people on the right track. (v.14) There are many character qualities that are needed. (v.23-25) However, the mission is so important, because it means that people will be delivered from Satan and serve the Lord. (v.26) Isn't that what you want to see in your life, in your family, and in your church? Then, you and I must be faithful to do the same things that Paul was telling Timothy to do here.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 18-19 and II Timothy 3.
God was weary of Israel's rejection and so was Jeremiah. (15:6) Jeremiah followed God and delivered His Word, but no one listened. In fact, they cursed him, instead. (15:10b) Jeremiah loved God's Word, and it was the joy of his life. (15:18) However, now he was experiencing perpetual pain from the people, so the joy had faded. (15:18) He wondered why God had failed him. God came to him to reassure Jeremiah of His love and protection. (15:21) I believe this shows how easy it is for a leader to get discouraged. The key is to keep the focus on the Lord and not on the people. God can build us up, but a discouraged leader does not look to the Lord, but at the problems. We must not let that happen.
Then, God told Jeremiah some difficult instructions. He was not to marry and have children. (16:2) He was not to go to the funerals and the feasts of the people. God had good reasons for saying these things. This would spare Jeremiah the pain of seeing his family die. ((16:4) This would show the people that since they did not listen to God, He was not going to listen to them. (16:11,12) I know this made Jeremiah feel lonely, but it was God's will, so he would sustain him through it all. God is always faithful. As leaders, we have to be willing to do unusual things, when God commands us to do them. We may not understand, but we obey, and God takes care of us. The principle is given in chapter 17. Cursed is the man who trusts in man. (v.5) Blessed is the man who trusts the Lord. (v.7) Leaders are tempted to trust in people, but we must not do that. We must trust God.
II Timothy 2 is Paul's instruction to Timothy to be strong in following God like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. He must teach other men, who can in turn teach others. (v.2) It is a step by step process of keeping people on the right track. (v.14) There are many character qualities that are needed. (v.23-25) However, the mission is so important, because it means that people will be delivered from Satan and serve the Lord. (v.26) Isn't that what you want to see in your life, in your family, and in your church? Then, you and I must be faithful to do the same things that Paul was telling Timothy to do here.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 18-19 and II Timothy 3.