Read Jeremiah 1 -- 3
In Today's Reading:
Jeremiah's call and confirmation; his message to sinful Jerusalem and the nation of Judah; Judah's apostasy resulting in idolatry; Judah entreated to repent.
Verses for Today:
The Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee (set you apart), and I ordained (established) thee a prophet unto the nations (Gentiles) (1:4-5).
God revealed to Jeremiah that He had a plan and purpose for him even before his birth. Through this revelation concerning the origin of human life, it is made known that our birth is not our real beginning, nor will our death be our end. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
The Holy Spirit led King David to write: I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are [Your] works. . . . My [frame] was not [hidden] from [You], when I was made in secret, and [skillfully] wrought in the lowest parts of the earth (Psalms 139:14-15). Both mother and father have the biblical responsibility to recognize that every unborn child, from the day of conception, belongs to its Creator-God. Both parents are responsible for bringing that child into the world to know, love, and be obedient to God. He has chosen each one of us for His sacred purpose, but He has given us the freedom to choose whom we will serve. Jesus stated a fact when He said that no [one] can serve two masters. . . . [You] cannot serve God and mammon (material things) (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).
To the Apostle Paul, God revealed that He [has] chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4). Just think, God had a plan for you long before you were born -- even before the foundation of the world.
Like Jeremiah, we need to focus on what is the right thing to do. God is the Giver of Life! As believers, let us hold in honor the sanctity of life. God is still saying: [Whatever] I command [you, you shall] speak (Jeremiah 1:7).
To avoid wasting our lives on what is eternally worthless, let us consider what God said to the Israelites: My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters, and [have hewn for themselves] cisterns, broken cisterns, that [cannot] hold water (2:13). These two evils, neglecting the Word of God and choosing false gods, led to a military alliance with Egypt, a type of this world.
The Israelites were the only people in the world who had received from the One True God a special revelation of His Word, Which is the only source of eternal, life-giving spiritual Water. And yet, they had forsaken Him, relying on their human wisdom, false gods, and false prophets.
Today there are numerous man-made plans that claim to provide a productive lifestyle and, for many, these plans have replaced the Bible, the only True Guide to Life. Some plans may seem temporarily helpful, but nothing compares to what God has provided for "our profit." All Scripture . . . is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16).
Christ Revealed:
As the Fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2:13). Jesus is the only Fountain that can satisfy the thirsty soul. Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink (John 7:37; see also 4:1-26).
Word Studies:
2:3 offend = be held guilty; 2:14 spoiled = laid waste; 2:18 Sihor = the Nile River; the river = the Euphrates; 2:31 lords = independent; 2:33 trimmest = scheme; 3:2 been lien with = acted like a prostitute; 3:9 lightness = shameless behavior; 3:10 feignedly = deceptively.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. James Hansen (UT), Rep. Robert Hayes (NC), and Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY) · Pray for your Church · Country: Samoa (190,000) in the South Pacific · Major languages: Samoan and English · Religious freedom · 68% Protestant; 21% Roman Catholic; 9% cults; 2% Baha'i · Prayer Suggestion: Pray that God will enable you to be a generous, cheerful giver to Him (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Optional Reading: 1 Peter 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 5:9