November 2, 2006 - Jeremiah 27-29 and Titus 3
God calls us all to do some pretty difficult things, so we can grow in our faith and see Him work in our lives. What is God calling you to do? I urge you to be instantly obedient to Him today and every day.
In Jeremiah 27-29 God calls on Jeremiah to do several very difficult things. First, he has to make some bonds and yokes to symbolize the nations being in bondage to Babylon, and he has to tell them not to fight against Babylon, since it was God's punishment. (27:8) This almost seems like the message a traitor would speak, but it was God's message, so he had to deliver it. Then, Jeremiah had to stand up against Hananiah, the false prophet, as well as several other false prophets. It is never comfortable to have to confront people about their sin, but God calls us to do that, too. Finally, Jeremiah had to write a letter to those in exile telling them to settle in by building houses and seeking the peace of the land of Babylon, since the exile would last 70 years. I am sure that was not a popular message either, but it was the truth. I am glad that Jeremiah was obedient to do God's will, and pray that we will be obedient, too.
However, throughout the entire passage God is showing that He wants to bless the people through this process of the exile. He wants to show them that obedience leads to blessing. He wants their numbers to be increased and not diminished. (28:6) He has a great plan for them to give them a future and a hope. (29:11) He is trying to get them to seek Him with their whole heart. Then, they would find Him. (29:13) God's punishment was a prelude to blessing. That is what He is trying to show us, too. Trust Him. He does the right thing. We must follow His will and not try to do it our way.
Titus 3 says the same thing in a very down to earth way. Paul tells Titus to obey the authorities God had put over them. They were not to speak evil of others, and they were to be humble. Those are all difficult but possible since God had changed them when they were saved. We must understand that this applies to all of us as believers. We are not to be divisive or to get caught up in contentions. We are to let the Spirit empower us to do God's will, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 30-31 and Philemon.
In Jeremiah 27-29 God calls on Jeremiah to do several very difficult things. First, he has to make some bonds and yokes to symbolize the nations being in bondage to Babylon, and he has to tell them not to fight against Babylon, since it was God's punishment. (27:8) This almost seems like the message a traitor would speak, but it was God's message, so he had to deliver it. Then, Jeremiah had to stand up against Hananiah, the false prophet, as well as several other false prophets. It is never comfortable to have to confront people about their sin, but God calls us to do that, too. Finally, Jeremiah had to write a letter to those in exile telling them to settle in by building houses and seeking the peace of the land of Babylon, since the exile would last 70 years. I am sure that was not a popular message either, but it was the truth. I am glad that Jeremiah was obedient to do God's will, and pray that we will be obedient, too.
However, throughout the entire passage God is showing that He wants to bless the people through this process of the exile. He wants to show them that obedience leads to blessing. He wants their numbers to be increased and not diminished. (28:6) He has a great plan for them to give them a future and a hope. (29:11) He is trying to get them to seek Him with their whole heart. Then, they would find Him. (29:13) God's punishment was a prelude to blessing. That is what He is trying to show us, too. Trust Him. He does the right thing. We must follow His will and not try to do it our way.
Titus 3 says the same thing in a very down to earth way. Paul tells Titus to obey the authorities God had put over them. They were not to speak evil of others, and they were to be humble. Those are all difficult but possible since God had changed them when they were saved. We must understand that this applies to all of us as believers. We are not to be divisive or to get caught up in contentions. We are to let the Spirit empower us to do God's will, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 30-31 and Philemon.