Good morning to all on this first Sunday morning after Thanksgiving. Waine and I had a house full of children, grandchildren and friends in Atlanta and although I was exhausted I was none the less content. I remarked to my husband that I needed a bigger house and he reminded me that I feel that way once a year at Thanksgiving which is not a reason to have a bigger house. I think he is almost convinced to give me a bigger kitchen though. A special shout out to my daughters, Tracy and Melanie who were the chief bottle washers. Without them I would not have been able to keep up with the cooking and serving. My husband and children remarked that it was the best turkey and dressing I have ever made, which made the effort expended worth while, indeed. I trust that this Thanksgiving found each of you in the company of people that love you and that you in turn love. If so we all have a lot to be thankful for.
I am continuing my journey in Jeremiah 15 verses 11-21, "The LORD said, Surely I will deliver you (Jeremiah) for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress. “Can a man break iron— iron from the north—or bronze? “Your wealth and your treasures I will give as plunder, without charge, because of all your sins throughout your country. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for my anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you." LORD, you understand; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering—do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake. When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty. I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails. Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the LORD. “I will save you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.” Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.
Apparently, Jeremiah was being persecuted for his ministry to the point that he (Jeremiah) was asking God not to forget about his servant. God assures Jeremiah that he should not worry or be distressed because God has made Jeremiah as strong as iron and bronze. However Jeremiah seems to be having a pity party-- he remarks that he used to delight and look forward to God's Words but now he was complaining about his pain and the reproach that he suffers at the hands of the Israelites that he had been sent to preach to. This is a beautiful passage on the power of long suffering through difficult times. Jeremiah had been obedient to God's commandments and he was human. I am sure as a Jew himself, he felt alone most of the time because he was fighting against a tide of idolatry. I am sure his life was threatened; he felt alone other than for the communion he had with God. I am sure when God first commissioned Jeremiah to be His prophet to a sinful Israel, Jeremiah thought the battle would be short and the victory assured. As the journey lingered, Jeremiah became impatient and weary and had no problem voicing his concerns to God. God, in His graciousness, reminds Jeremiah that He has His back. He has fortified Jeremiah and would deliver him from the hands of the wicked. Jeremiah had only to stay focused on the task at hand and believe that God had every thing else covered! Hallelujah.
Don't let Satan confuse you this day as to whether your life has a meaning. God gives it meaning daily. Don't worry about the waves and forget the purpose that you were chosen for. Our job is to make our lives a witness for Christ and not be distracted about the "waves" that surround us daily. I am a good example of this. I was very frustrated about lots of things a few weeks back. Instead of focusing on the blessings in my life I stayed focused on the frustrations. Focusing on your frustrations will take you eye off Christ and you will sink but thank God, Christ will reach out and save you even from yourself. That certainly does not excuse my behavior of losing focus however this chapter in Jeremiah let's me know that we all can become distracted when focused on the wrong thing. If you are not feeling blessed today then I know your focus is on the wrong thing. If you feel animosity towards anyone then you have forgotten what it means to be forgiven. If you can't love those that have offended you then you have forgotten what Kingdom building is all about. Time to get refocused and give Thanksgiving for the Christ that has risen so that all might experience the freedom that is in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah and praise God.
Now may the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Stephanie
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