November 7, 2006 - Jeremiah 40-42 and Hebrews 4
It is difficult to trust the Lord and to rest in Him. However, that is always the best way to live. Both of these passages give us insights into God's rest. Most of us like being independent, and we are very busy, so these truths are especially applicable to us. Please, listen for what God has to say through His Word today.
Jeremiah 40-42 tells us what happened after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Jeremiah was freed from prison. Most of the people were taken to Babylon, but a remnant was left in the land under the leadership of Gedaliah. He was content to rest in the Lord and lead the remnant as the Lord had said to them through Jeremiah. However, the king of the Ammonites did not like the fact that many Jews from his country were returning to Judah, so he sent a man named Ishmael to kill Gedaliah. Unbelievers love to take charge like this, and sometimes we Christians fall into the same trap. When the dust had settled, the rest of the people wanted to go to Egypt for security, but God said no. They did not care what God said, they were going to go anyway. They thought it would be a peaceful prosperous life, but God said they would die there and never return. If they would have just rested in the Lord, He would have taken care of them. How often has that happened to you? I pray that all of us would learn this lesson. Our ways are not God's ways.
Hebrews 4 is all about God's rest. It is where a believer ceases to live by his or her own works and trusts God. (v10) It is made possible by our High Priest, Jesus, who knows everything we are going through, partly because He came to earth and was tempted as we are tempted.(v.15) He wants to assure us that when we have a need, we can come boldly to God's throne, and He will show us what to do, or He will provide for us.(v.16) However, if we try to do it ourselves, we miss out on the blessing of resting in the Lord. Doesn't it make sense that the All-knowing God of the universe, who loved us enough to die for us, would want to take care of us each day? We must be willing to rest in that love and grace, because He won't force Himself on anyone.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 43-45 and Hebrews 5.
Jeremiah 40-42 tells us what happened after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Jeremiah was freed from prison. Most of the people were taken to Babylon, but a remnant was left in the land under the leadership of Gedaliah. He was content to rest in the Lord and lead the remnant as the Lord had said to them through Jeremiah. However, the king of the Ammonites did not like the fact that many Jews from his country were returning to Judah, so he sent a man named Ishmael to kill Gedaliah. Unbelievers love to take charge like this, and sometimes we Christians fall into the same trap. When the dust had settled, the rest of the people wanted to go to Egypt for security, but God said no. They did not care what God said, they were going to go anyway. They thought it would be a peaceful prosperous life, but God said they would die there and never return. If they would have just rested in the Lord, He would have taken care of them. How often has that happened to you? I pray that all of us would learn this lesson. Our ways are not God's ways.
Hebrews 4 is all about God's rest. It is where a believer ceases to live by his or her own works and trusts God. (v10) It is made possible by our High Priest, Jesus, who knows everything we are going through, partly because He came to earth and was tempted as we are tempted.(v.15) He wants to assure us that when we have a need, we can come boldly to God's throne, and He will show us what to do, or He will provide for us.(v.16) However, if we try to do it ourselves, we miss out on the blessing of resting in the Lord. Doesn't it make sense that the All-knowing God of the universe, who loved us enough to die for us, would want to take care of us each day? We must be willing to rest in that love and grace, because He won't force Himself on anyone.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 43-45 and Hebrews 5.