Sunday 13 July 2014

TFTD - 11 July 2014 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

11 July 2014

1 Samuel 24
Jeremiah 1
Matthew 12

“I AM WATCHING OVER MY WORD”

Today we started reading the words of Jeremiah, who was born as “one of the priests” [Jeremiah 1:1]. We are fascinated by the many words from the LORD that he inspired Jeremiah to speak and write.  He was to be the mouthpiece of God to Israel over many years beginning in the reign of good king Josiah, to the disaster of the last king Zedekiah.

“The LORD came to me”  Jeremiah says, telling him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” [Jeremiah 1:5]  Jeremiah protests, “Ah Lord GOD!  Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” [Jeremiah 1:6]  The LORD tells him not to say this, “… whatever I command you, you shall speak, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you” [Jeremiah 1:7-8]

“Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth.  And the LORD said to me, ‘Behold I have put my words in your mouth.” [Jeremiah 1:9]  It is clear in the words that follow that his divinely inspired messages have applications in many cases to situations developing in Israel in the prophet’s lifetime - and others - to the future of other nations - and also - to events to come in the latter day restoration of Israel, our days; these, as we will see in future chapters, really challenge our thinking.

Jeremiah is a type of Christ from his birth and the later traumas his life went through before and at  the destruction of Jerusalem.  As the inspired mouthpiece of God’s word, he is told, “See I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant … I am watching over my word to perform it.” [Jeremiah 1:10,12]  As we read God’s word let us search to see how  it has been performed - and will yet be completely performed - the climax of its fulfilment will surely be the most dramatic of all. How close are we to that time?  May we ‘hear’ the LORD saying to us, as he says to Jeremiah (as the chapter ends) “Be not dismayed … for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.” [Jeremiah 1:17,19]
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- DC
1 Samuel 24:9
"And David said to Saul, Wherefore HEAREST THOU MEN'S WORDS, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?"

This is all Saul could listen to as he sadly he did not listen to, and had rejected God's word (1 Sam 15:26).

This is in total contrast to David who, as recorded in the previous verses did not listen to men's words, but rather to the principles of God.

The same danger is there for us in our daily lives, who are we listening to and determining the direction and destiny in our lives.

"And be not conformed (from Gk root = to have union with) to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2)

Thought for the Day

11 July 2014

"God is the Supreme Architect, the Designer of the great plan of the ages. In His written Word He graciously permits us to view the splendid blue-print of His grand redemptive scheme. Don’t let men’s deeds hide from your mental view this wondrous plan of God. The works of men will pass away; God’s purpose will stand. Nothing that men may do can cause that plan to fail."

- Harold Wright
God's Plan with Man

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