"O, Earth, Hear the Word of the LORD!" - Day 290 Through the Bible

On the "backroads drive" yesterday from Burnsville to Boone, NC, in the Blue Ridge Mts. - near Mt. Celo Church

My Meditations on Today’s Readings

(Ellipses are mine and are used for contemplation.)

The Tables Turn: Prosperity Ends / Judgment Comes – Jeremiah 21 and 22 – (Facts: What It Says – Summarized) The wicked people of Judah and Israel continue to refuse God’s warnings to turn, to repent, to change their ways.  Their latest act of evil was for the priest of Judah to strike the messenger, Jeremiah, and put him in stocks.  The Wicked Priest’s Request of God: But now the tables are turning. Babylon is attacking Judah, and this same priest comes and asks Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD for the nation, for the people.  “Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to His wonderful works, that the king may go away from us.”  The LORD’s response is that He Himself will fight against them with “anger and fury and great wrath” and destroy them.  But even in this, God allows for the saving of a remnant.  The Choice Given to the People: Thus says the LORD, “Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death.  He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, an by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects…to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live.”  The Choice Given to the King of Judah: The king of Judah, of the house of David, is told 2 times by God to: 1) “Execute judgment in the morning, 2) and deliver him who is plundered out of the hand of the oppressor, 3) do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, 4) nor shed innocent blood in this place."  If the king heeds these warnings, he will be spared and blessed.  If he does not, “I swear by Myself, says the LORD, “that this house shall become a desolation.”  The Woe Pronounced by God:  “Woe to Him who builds his house by unrighteousness….his chambers by injustice…uses his neighbor’s service without wages and gives him nothing for his work…who builds himself a wide house with spacious chambers…whose eyes and heart are nothing but your covetousness…for shedding innocent blood…for practicing oppression…and violence." God Says, "Is THIS not Knowing Me?": “Did not your father eat and drink, and DO justice…and righteousness…THEN it was well with him.  He judged the cause of the poor and needy; THEN it was well.  Was not this knowing Me?”, says the LORD.  The continued refrain throughout Jeremiah’s prophecy and this book:  “O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the LORD!” Principle:  Refusing to hear and to heed God’s Word leads to the downward spiral and eventual destruction of individuals and nations.  God allows time for repentance and mercy, but that time will end as He has decreed.

How a Person Can Cleanse His Way - Psalm 119:9-16 (Facts: What It Says – Summarized) In the OT reading for today, God told the rebellious people, “I spoke to you in your prosperity, but your said, ‘I will not hear.”'  This has been your manner…from your youth…THAT…you did not obey My voice.”  Then God declares He will destroy them.  The Psalm for today speaks to just this sin of not knowing or heeding God's Word. “How can a young man cleanse his way?  BY:  1) Taking heed according to Your word, 2) Seeking God with all your heart, 3) Not wandering from God’s commandments, 4) Hiding God’s word in your heart…THAT…you might not sin against Him, 5) Learning His statutes and all His judgments.  6) Rejoicing in His precepts as much as in riches, 6) Meditating on His precepts, 7) Contemplating His ways, 8) Delighting yourself in His statutes, 8) NOT FORGETTING HIS WORD.”  Principle:  Knowing, loving, following, pleasing, glorifying God is inextricably tied to deep knowledge of His Word and heeding it.  Being in His Word, led by His Holy Spirit, is the door into an intimate relationship with Him - what fulfills the longing of our souls and is God's own deep desire for us and Himself.

 Final Commendations and Exhortations for the Thessalonians and Us – 1 Thessalonians 5 (Facts:  What It Says – Summarized) – Their commendations:  1) You are “ not in darkness . You know perfectly the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…that they will say…’peace and safety!’…and then sudden destruction comes upon them.” 2) “You comfort…and edify…one another. Continue to do so." Exhortations from the apostle to them: 1) Do not sleep as others do.  2) Let us watch.  3) Be sober. 4) Put on the breastplate of…faith and love. 5) Put on the helmet of salvation…FOR…God did not appoint us to wrath…but to obtain salvation…through our Lord Jesus Christ….THAT…whether we wake or sleep….we should live together with Him.” 6) “Esteem highly those who labor for you in the Lord.” 7) “Be at peace among yourselves.” 8) “Warn those who are unruly.” 9) “Comfort the fainthearted.”  10) “Uphold the weak” 11) “Be patient with all.” 12) See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone.” 13) “BUT…pursue what is good both for yourselves and all.” 14) “Rejoice always.” 15) “Pray without ceasing.” 16) “In everything give thanks…FOR…this is the will of God…in Christ Jesus…for you.” 17) “Do not quench the Spirit.” 18) “Do not despise prophecies.”  18) “Test all things.” 19) “Hold fast what is good.” 20) “Abstain from every form of evil.” Principle: Our walk of faith requires constant edifying, comforting, Biblical teaching and discipling to counter the pull of the world, the flesh and Satan.

My Lessons and Applications: Throughout the Bible – from the OT through the NT  - one of the most repeated exhortations from God, from Jesus, from the prophets, from the priests, from sinners, from saints is this:  Hear and heed the Word of God. We have been in great error in relying on only ministers to teach us or give us the Word.  This is our personal duty and our great honor – to search, to know, to meditate on and apply to our lives the whole counsel of God – the Scripture in its entirety - through the leading of the Holy Spirit.   Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  BUT true faith will evidence itself in a life that is obedient and honoring to God and that gives glory to Him.  This can only be done through Biblical discipleship training and application.  Note the 20 exhortations St. Paul had for the commendable church at Thessalonica in just a few verses!  The world, and its perspective, constantly permeate and influence our minds and consciences through media.  Are we giving equal or more time to God – in prayer and study of His Word?  Why are we surprised when so many “professing” Christians live no differently than the ungodly?  Are we sitting with God each day, humble under His convicting Spirit, being transformed more and more, day-by-day into the likeness of Jesus Christ?   Are we being and taking Christ to the world? Are we shining as lights in this dark world for Him?

Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians and for You and Me

May the God of peace…Himself…sanctify you…completely.  May your…whole…spirit…soul…and body…be preserved…blameless…at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls…you…is faithful…who also will do it.