Jeremiah 23:23-29
Our Old Testament reading this week from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer takes us to the writings of the Prophet Jeremiah. This passage brings up two points for us to look at and consider, each one important.
When you were younger, did you like to play Hide and Seek with your playmates? Little children hide in places that are easily found, and as they grow older the places where they hide are more secretive. Hide and Seek isn’t just a child’s game. Adults play that game, as well. Not usually with other people, but instead, they sometimes play it with God. Only this time it’s not a game. Those who are trying to hide from God do not want to be found by Him. They don’t want their sins and weaknesses uncovered, and be forced to confront and acknowledge them. They don’t want God in their lives. Sometimes Christians try to hide from God, as well. Maybe they have fallen and failed Him, and are ashamed. Rather than come to Him for forgiveness, they try to hide, like a little child.
Jeremiah brings God’s message to those who are trying to hide from God (vs. 23-24). God tells us that there is no place where someone can hide from Him, whether on earth or anywhere in the universe. No one can hide from God. He sees all we do, and He hears all we say. We can’t hide anything from Him. This passage is reminiscent of Psalm 139:7-12. King David, who wrote that psalm, knew that we can’t hide from God. Perhaps he tried to after his sin with Bathsheba. However, he found that it is impossible. No matter where we go, God knows where we are, and He sees us. He is never too busy managing the universe that He has no time to be intimately concerned about each one of us individually.
The Prophet Jeremiah also had a word from the Lord to give to false prophets, preachers, and religious leaders (vs. 25-29). As he just finished saying, Jeremiah reminded those false preachers that the Lord knows them and hears all they say (vs. 25). False prophets and preachers did not only exist in the days of the Old Testament. There are many in this day, as well. They come speaking a message, claiming it is from God, but it is really a message from their own heart and mind. What does the Almighty God say about their message? He says that they are speaking lies (vs. 26). He calls their words the “deceit of their own heart”.
True preachers and teachers of God’s Word, and false preachers, whether they preach from the pulpit, teach or speak on TV or radio, are as different from each other as straw is from grain (vs. 28). Good grain is nourishing. Eating straw will only make a person sick. Christians have a great responsibility when they share the Gospel to present it truthfully and accurately. They must not take God’s Word out of context. Preachers who claim to come in the Name of God must not only say what their listeners want to hear, or what “seems appropriate” for the times. That was a big problem in Jeremiah’s day. Many of the prophets and religious leaders only spoke words that the people wanted to hear, not what God wanted the people to hear. Back then, as well as today, they only speak positive and uplifting messages that made people feel good, not about their sins and need for repentance. False preachers pretend to come in His Name, but don’t bring His message. God didn’t like it then, and He doesn’t like it now.
God warns us that His Word is like both a fire and a hammer (vs. 29). When the false religious teachers and leaders twist God’s Word for their own purposes, it will destroy them. That is what fire does when it is mishandled. Fire is good and useful when used correctly, but when someone uses it the wrong way, it brings destruction. God’s Word is also a hammer. A hammer is an important tool, but here God will use His Word to smash and destroy false teachings and those who bring them.
Let’s remember Jeremiah’s warning here, and be sure that when we speak to others the Word of God, we are speaking it in truth, and not our own message, remembering that nothing is hid from God.
Luke 12:32-40
The concern of a possible thief breaking into one’s house is a real one for many people. No one wants to come home and find his home ransacked, and his valuables stolen. That is why selling home security systems is a big business. Twice in our brief passage today from the Gospel of Luke Jesus mentions thieves. The first time in respect to stealing one’s treasure, and the second in respect to being prepared and ready.
As Jesus is talking with His disciples and the crowds of people gathered around to His teachings, He teaches a lesson on treasures. Back in the 1980’s there was a television show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, which showcased the extravagant houses, cars, and belongings of wealthy people. Big houses filled with expensive items, pricey cars, designer clothes, and more jewels than you’d see in a showcase at Tiffany’s. One of the effects of that TV show was making the viewers to wish they had such houses and belongings. However, Jesus warned us about seeking such treasures (vs. 33-34). Those houses will age and start to fall apart. Those cars will get rusty and also fall apart. Moths eat up fancy clothes just like they do cheap ones. Which house is more likely to be a target for thieves - one with a lot of valuables, or one without?
Jesus wants His followers to have a much different attitude towards wealth and treasures than the world does. Keeping their wealth and belongings safely within their grasp is many people’s goal. However, Jesus wants us to use our money for God’s purposes, not in seeing how much we can accumulate for ourselves. When God’s love touches our money we are storing up treasures in heaven. The safest place to put one’s treasure is a place where it can never be stolen by a thief, where it can never grow old or rusts away. There is no such place here on earth. The surest place to put one’s treasure is in heaven, not here on earth. Our heavenly treasures are safe from thieves or decay, for our security does not lie in material resources.
What we think about most, where we put our time, money, and our energy in is where our treasure is. What we talk about most, what we keep returning to in our minds reveals what is really in our heart (vs. 34). Jesus wants our treasure to be in His kingdom, not in things here on earth.
Jesus then continues in His teachings about being ready for when He will return (vs. 35-40). He gives two examples of the necessity of being ready - that of servants whose master is out, and a homeowner being ready if a thief should break in. Good servants are ready for the master when he returns, standing waiting at the door to open it for him, no matter what the hour. They will be rewarded (vs. 37). If the homeowner knew when the thief would break in, he would be ready to catch him, probably with the police there, as well. Jesus is teaching us to be ready for His return at all times, for we don’t know when it will happen. We don’t want to be caught off guard and unprepared. Jesus is coming again, and we need to be living productively for Him. He will bless those who are when He returns.
Who is the thief that is waiting to break into our lives and steal what we have, the one we need to be on guard for? Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that the devil, Satan, is the thief, and he comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. We need to be on our guard at all times against him and his attacks. Christians need to be vigilant at all times, both watchful against Satan’s attacks, and also looking for and ready for Jesus’ return. Christians who are ready for Jesus’ return are sincere, not hypocrites. They are ready to witness to others. They are not always worried, but trusting in God. They are generous, and diligent to do His work.
When Jesus opened this passage, He called His followers “little flock”, an endearing term (vs. 32). He is the Good Shepherd, who loves His flock, and is willing to lay down His life for them (John 10:11). When we remember His tender care and love for us, His little flock, we do not need to be anxious or worried. As a good shepherd, Jesus wants us to live in the safety and security of knowing that He loves us, and is with us wherever we go.
Hebrews 11:1-6
Most of us have heard of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, or the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wikipedia lists hundreds of different Halls or Walks of Fame. One that is not listed is the one of Faith. The eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews has sometimes been called Faith’s Hall of Fame. In the opening few verses of this chapter, before the author lists several people who had shown great faith in their lives, he gives a brief description of what faith is. Let’s take a look at that.
In verse 1 our author gives a definition of faith. Faith is a solid conviction and assurance of a future reality, not based on physical evidence, but on divine assurance. For the most part we have faith in what certain people tell us, we have faith that the appliance we just bought will work when we plug it in, or the new car will start when we turn the ignition. We don’t give it a second thought. How about believing what God has said, even though we don’t actually see it right at this moment? That is faith. Our faith wavers when we apply human thinking to our circumstances, when we allow our feelings to overcome our faith. It fails when we fail to see God at work in our circumstances, when we have guilt over sin, and when we listen to the enemy, Satan’s lies.
How many times we read God’s promises in the Bible, we pray, but we don’t see anything happening? Some crisis happens in our lives, and we fear God has forgotten us, or question His love for us. True faith is finding certainty in uncertain territory. God, on the sunny, clear day is the same God in the foggy night. He is with us regardless of our circumstances. Faith is absolute conviction that God is both willing and able to accomplish all He has promised. Our faith is never in vain, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
Two words can describe faith - sure and certain. Faith believes God’s character - He is who He says He is. Faith believes in God’s promises - He will do what He says He will do. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises, even though we don’t see it yet, we show true faith.
In verse 6, our author tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. It is impossible to walk closely with Him. Genuine faith doesn’t just believe that a divine being exists. It believes in the God of the Bible, that He, alone, is the only real and true God. True faith also believes that He will reward people’s faith in Him because He promises to do so. It is not enough to just believe that God exists. Even demons do that (James 2:19). We must have a personal relationship with Jesus. We must believe and seek Him. Faith is a conviction that Jesus can, and a hope that He will. Faith believes God is real, that He is good, and will do what is right. We cannot serve God unless we both believe He exists, and that His plans for us are good. We must trust and obey.
Every miracle in the Bible came as a result of obedience. God told the people to step out in faith, and when they did, He provided what they needed at that time, whether it was healing or some type of deliverance. That is the key to a life of abundant joy in God. Faith is the inescapable condition of successful prayer. To pray in faith we have to truly believe that God is real, that he cares deeply about everything that concerns us, and is listening intently to everything we pray.
In the opening verses of this great chapter, before he goes on to describe many men and women of faith, the author gives the example of the brothers Cain and Abel (vs. 4). Both brothers knew what God required. Abel obeyed. Cain did not. Abel acted in faith, while Cain acted in unbelief. Abel’s faith made him righteous, not his offering. He had faith and was obedient. Cain did not have faith. Cain was just going through the motions of ritual in a disobedient manner, with no authentic faith. Faith was the missing factor in Cain’s sacrifice. True saving faith works in obedience to God. Do we have this type of faith?
Psalm 33
Being trustworthy and a person of integrity is something, I believe, that all of us would like to be known as. Is there someone you know whose word is one that you can trust, no matter what? If he or she said it, then you know that it is absolutely true. Perhaps you’ve known someone who is just the opposite. If they said it was raining outside, you’d feel that you ought to take a look out the window just to check, as their words meant nothing. There is also the need to be able to trust someone to help you when you are in a time of need. If you have a pressing need or crisis, you know that you can call on this or that person, as they will always be there to help. They will never let you down. They are trustworthy. In our psalm today one of the points the psalmist makes is that the Word of God is absolutely true. He is trustworthy in every respect.
As most of us know, just because we see something in print doesn’t mean that it is true or can be relied upon. We learn rather quickly which newspapers, magazines and websites are ones we can trust that most of what they write is reliable, and which ones are filled mostly with gossip, exaggerations, and outright lies. Where can we go to in order to find truth? There is one place where we can go for the truth, knowing that every single word of it is trustworthy and reliable, and that is the Word of God. God’s Word is right and true (vs. 4). It can be trusted. God does not lie, or change His Word (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) He doesn’t say one thing on Monday, but by Thursday or Friday He is saying something totally different (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). God does not leave His promises unfulfilled. God and His Word is holy, trustworthy and unchangeable.
The foundation of any relationship is trust. If there is no trust, the relationship is on shaky ground. It is important to know that one can trust their spouse, along with trusting their friends. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we have entered into a relationship with God, one of trust and love. If we have trouble believing that God’s Word is true, then we are doubting His character. When we question God’s Word, we are agreeing with Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44). When God tells us something, we can trust Him. We can take His promises to the bank!
God’s Word also has great power. People in positions of authority, such as corporate executives and political or military leaders, only have to issue an order and their underlings hurry to do their bidding. God’s Word is so powerful that He just spoke and created a universe out of nothing (vs. 6, 9). Yahweh is the Lord of Creation, not just a coordinator of random natural forces. Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). Everything came into being through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). When God speaks a word, the thing that the word expresses immediately leaps to life. He sustains all things by His powerful Word (Hebrews 1:3).
More and more in today’s world we are seeing that putting our trust in one’s government or military is futile, as they cannot or will not always help us. Their promises frequently fall through. However, again, we know that we can put our trust in the Lord. Man’s plans are shaky, but God’s plans are sovereign (vs. 10-11). God is completely trustworthy. His intentions never change (James 1:17). He is completely consistent. God rules over all nations (vs. 16-17). Military might should not be the ground of our hope. It should only be in the Lord God.
As we look around our world and the people we know, we struggle to find those who are completely trustworthy. So many let us down. However, as our psalmist reminds us, we can completely trust in the Lord God, for He alone, is completely true.
Genesis 39:1-23
Watching large waves crash against the shore can be an impressive and grand thing to see. It is a different thing, though, if one is caught in those waves, and one is struggling to get out. Wave after wave comes pounding against you, knocking you back down every time you try to stand up and move. Sometimes life seems to be like that for some people. Problems and struggles keep coming, like endless waves. Problem after problem in a never-ending parade. One can barely get their head up to catch a breath before the next problem comes to knock them over. If we go through a period in our life where the waves of troubles keep coming, how do we react? Some people curse God and turn their back on Him. Others crumble, feeling that God has abandoned them, and their faith breaks and withers away. Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son, went through some rather horrific trials. Let’s see how he came through.
The Old Testament patriarch Jacob had twelve sons. Joseph, son number 11, was his favorite, as he was the first son that his beloved and favorite wife Rachel bore him. When Joseph was about 17 years old, Jacob sent him to check on his ten older brothers as they watched the flocks and herds in a distant pasture. We read what happens in Genesis 37:17-28. The brothers plotted to kill him, and be rid of their father’s favorite, as their jealousy and hatred against him was so strong. Jealousy can get so strong and out of control that it can lead to murder. The brothers threw Joseph into a pit, probably after beating him up quite a bit. As he lay, bleeding and bruised at the bottom of the pit, having had his robe torn off of him, he undoubtedly heard his brothers discussing how they would kill him and tell their father. Imagine the fear that coursed through him at this time, in a dark pit, hearing his life would end in some painful, brutal way! In the end, the brothers decided to make some money, and sold him to passing slave traders, and told their father he was killed by wild animals.
Our passage picks up after Joseph has been sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s army. After being beaten by his brothers, dropped into a pit, and then sold as a slave, after walking in the hot sun in shackles several hundred miles, one could understand if Joseph had lost all faith in God. Joseph was a slave, and there was no one to have pity on him. What do we read in verse 2? “The Lord was with Joseph.” God had not abandoned Joseph. Through the beatings, the humiliation, the long, hot journey, with the sting of the whip at his back, God was with Joseph. God honored his faithfulness, as well, by blessing him in the household of Potiphar so that he quickly rose to being chief steward in the household.
This position didn’t last too long, though, as we further read. Potiphar’s wife, angry that Joseph didn’t succumb to her advances, told some vicious lies about him, which landed him in prison. There was no trial, as he was a slave and his owner a high ranking political figure. Prisons in Biblical times were horrid places, but even there, Joseph made the best of things. As we read in verses 21 and 23, “The Lord was with Joseph”. He did not abandon him, even in the prison cell. Joseph’s faithfulness to the Lord was honored, even here, as the prison guard trusted him with the overseeing of the place.
Joseph never gave up his faith or trust in the Lord God, even though at this time, he did not have any of the Scriptures that we have to turn to, to bring him comfort and peace. We can learn several things from the adversities that Joseph went through, and his strong faithfulness to the Lord. Serving God faithfully can bring testing. Joseph was faithful, no matter what he went through, and God did not forget him and his obedience. At the right time He blessed Joseph by raising him to live in the palace and become second only to Pharaoh.
Difficulties will continue until God’s purpose is accomplished. God was preparing Joseph to rescue his family, and thus save the line of the Messiah. We often learn more during trials than we do during the easy times. Joseph learned to reject temptation and trust God’s faithfulness. Nor did he let the problems in his life make him a bitter or angry man, as unfortunately so many people do during trials. Joseph did not focus on himself. Adversity is painful, but the Lord uses it to further His purposes, and equip us for His plan.
As we saw, Joseph went from a pit, to a prison, to a palace. God is with us even when our circumstances scream that He has deserted us. Remember the verse repeated three times in our passage, “The Lord was with Joseph”, and He is with us in our trials, as well.
Luke 12:13-21
I recall reading in my history studies that when the stock markets crashed back in 1929 there were several suicides across the country. Stock markets rise and they fall. There were several big crashes in the 19th century, several in the 20th century, and there will be more throughout this one, as well. For many people their whole life is caught up with investing their money and gaining wealth. When something like a crash happens, they have nothing to hang on to. Some might seek death, others turn to alcohol or other drugs. Depression and hopelessness follows. Where have they been laying up their treasures? Jesus asks us this question in our Scripture reading for today. Let’s see what He has to say regarding this topic.
As our passage starts, a man comes to Jesus, asking Him to arbitrate between him and his brother about the dividing of their inheritance. Jesus does not accede to his wishes. People in that day, and certainly today as well, believed that the rich are blessed by God, and the poor are not. We see a lot of that talk with the “health and wealth” preachers. However, the Scriptures do not support that at all. A blessed life has nothing to do with being wealthy (vs. 15). Jesus warns us to be on guard against greed, and desiring what we don’t have. We were created to enjoy a relationship with God. Wealth can never substitute for that.
Jesus then tells the crowds another parable, a story that teaches a spiritual lesson. This one was about a man who was a very successful farmer, whose crops had done so well, probably year after year, and he had accumulated significant wealth (vs. 16-20). Things were going so great for him that he wanted to build even bigger and better barns for his property. What he has right now isn’t big enough. He is feeling happy and satisfied that his future is secured. However, God tells him that he is a fool, as his life will end, and then all that he has accumulated will mean nothing for his future eternity.
This rich fool made three mistakes in his life. First, he provided for himself, and not others. When he became so rich, having enough money to provide for him and his family, he should have then turned and looked at others, seeing their needs. Then he could have taken of his wealth and helped the poor and needy. Throughout Scriptures, the Lord tells us to care for those who do not have as much as we do.
His second mistake was that this rich man provided for his body, but not his soul. That is a mistake that so many people today make. They are so concerned in making sure that their bank and retirement accounts are full and secure, but pay no attention to the condition of their eternal soul. They feel that God and eternity are not as important as the here and now. That is the third mistake - providing for this life, and not the next. This man tried so hard to keep all he had, and ended up with nothing of eternal value.
There is nothing wrong with planning for retirement and one’s financial future. That is a wise thing to do. However, it is far more important to have settled one’s life after death, and to be laying up treasures in heaven. There is nothing wrong with making plans, but we need to be in a posture of humility to God, and our plans need to be in submission to Him.
Jesus wants to teach us to have a correct attitude towards the accumulation of wealth. Life is more than material goods. Our relationship with God is far more important. Jesus spoke of this in His Sermon on the Mount, where He told us not to lay up treasures here on earth, but instead to be making sure we lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). The ones on earth do not last, as banks can fail, markets can crash, thieves can steal all we have. What we invest in heaven and in our eternal life will always be safe and secure. We need to think beyond earthbound goals, and use what we have been given for God’s kingdom. Don’t enter eternity empty-handed!
Colossians 3:5-17
No one likes to be caught wearing clothes that have a stain or spot on them. Neither do we like to be caught in the wrong outfit. If it’s a formal occasion, we don’t like to be wearing something casual to somewhere a nice suit or dress would be more appropriate. In any of these occasions we need to go and take off the wrong outfit, and put on a new one. Take off and put on. That is a theme for today’s Scripture passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossian church.
When each of us were saved, we all had some bad habits, behaviors, and activities that we were involved in that we needed to get rid of, and new behaviors and actions that we needed to start incorporating into our lives. In our daily life Paul instructs us that we need to make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that draws us to those actions and sins, and instead seek the Holy Spirit’s power. As believers we need to rid ourselves of these evil practices and immorality. Just like we take off a dirty or inappropriate outfit, we need to rid ourselves of the old life, and put on the new way of living in Jesus Christ (vs. 5-10).
When Paul talks about “putting off”, he means to stop living like unbelievers. Their thinking is ignorant and futile. Their hearts are hard and spiritually insensitive. Their lives are given over to sensuality and self-indulgence, impurity and greed. “Putting on” means to live in accordance with the truth of the Gospel. Take off the old, and put on the new, just like we change clothes every day. Our conduct and actions should match our faith.
So what does Paul instruct us to put on? He wants us to put on the actions and character traits that the Lord Jesus showed while He was here on earth, the fruits of the Spirit. He listed the old behaviors that we are to put off in verses 5-9. The new behaviors to put on Paul lists in verses 12-17.
The Apostle Paul gives us a pattern to live by in the last half of our Scripture. We are to be compassionate and forgiving. We need to let love guide our lives, and let peace rule in our hearts. A believer should be thankful. We need to live our lives as representatives of the Lord Jesus. To do this we have to keep God’s Word inside of us.
The “tender mercies” Paul speaks of in verse 12 is showing compassion to others. That is when we think of others before we think of ourselves. It is achieved through a God-centered, God-focused life. Paul speaks of having peace in our hearts in verse 15. Heavenly peace is a state of tranquility or quiet, no matter what trials or problems surround us. God’s peace will remain despite the problems. We can rest in His promises. He also challenges us to forgive others who have hurt or wounded us (vs. 13). Christians are to forgive because Jesus forgave us.
Another character trait of Jesus that we are to put on is to be thankful (vs. 15). That’s not too difficult when everything is going great, but often we quit being thankful when things are difficult in our lives. Martin Rinkart was a German pastor during the 17th century. He was pastor during the Thirty Years War, and had to deal with the worst of conditions that a bloody and cruel war could dish out. In 1636 alone, he buried 5,000 people from his area, and during that year and the next there was also a terrible plague. Of the four clergy in his area, one ran away and he buried the other two. Yet in the midst of this time, Martin Rinkart wrote the great hymn “Now Thank We All Our God”. He never failed to be thankful to the Lord Jesus.
As believers we need to bring honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of our daily living. We should represent Jesus wherever we go and with whatever we say. We are children of the King. Don’t throw off our royal robes to put on filthy rags, and go wallowing in the muck and mire of the world again!
