Jeremiah 20

9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
    indeed, I cannot.


Kind of a weird chapter, I didn't discover much to write about but I did take note of how Jeremiah was so on fire for God he just had to share what was in him--no matter what.  Even though his sharing seemed to do nothing but bring him grief he had to spew it anyway.

I really don't see me having such a fire burning or connection with God that I would shout it our or condemn people with what I believe God is telling them/me.  I would be more likely to avoid the conflict.  Its definitely not in my nature.  I wonder if Jeremiah as a boisterous person normally or if this went against his personality? 

I'm not sure the message for today but maybe one can be having the willingness to share God's word no matter my thoughts of how it might impact me.

I hope you guys had a good Memorial Day Weekend!
knut

Jeremiah 19

15 “Thlis is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on this city and all the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words.’”

I read over and over.  I couldn't find a verse that was striking.  In general it just feels like the message of listen to me and don't go off and replace me with other stuff or the result will be disaster.

It was addressing an entire community or society, but at the micro level the message applies to each of us a individuals as well.

knut

Jeremiah 18

4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Its never too late for God to change us. God can work with any circumstances or history in our lives and still make us into a useful pot.  For our part what I read is we need to repent and invite him and also stop anything we are doing that would be evil in his eyes.  Its a journey we will fall down but when we do we need to repent again. 

Its never too late for anyone.  Its never too late for me, I do want him to make me into a pot he can use to do his work.  I keep saying useful, I think because the choice of the word pot seems intentional to represent more than just clay art.  A pot holds things and can be used by the potter.   The early part of this chapter has lots of depth--i keep finding nuggets as I re-read.

My persistent prayers include-

Heal Scott

Keep Max safe and help him adjust

Give Todd and Kim strength

knut

Jeremiah 17

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

I really like this visual.  

If you are reliant on the world and the people around you, its like a tree planted in the desert.  Completely affected by what's happening in the environment.  

If we are connected and drawing strength from God, then we are connected to a source of strength that enables us to weather any storm of life.  This brings comfort when things like the pandemic happen or our family goes through health issues.  Our source is still completely available to us, and we need to lean into it.

tp

Jeremiah 16

17 My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

We have the gift of Grace and by Jesus our sins are forgiven.  That said, that doesn't mean have zero disciple.  This verse takes me back to my teenage years when I was doing are saying things that I knew in my heart were wrong I would often think about the fact that God is seeing it whether or not anyone else even knew.   He knows all my ways, let that fact be known to me at all times so that I behave in a way that pleases him--all day everyday.

knut

Jeremiah 15

19-21 This is how God answered me:

“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back.
    Then you’ll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining.
    Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
    Don’t change your words to suit them.
I’ll turn you into a steel wall,
    a thick steel wall, impregnable.
They’ll attack you but won’t put a dent in you
    because I’m at your side, defending and delivering.”
        God’s Decree.
“I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.
    I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”

I read this a couple times in the NIV, which I caught the repenting part.  But in the Message I caught something more nuanced that I was missing.  Stick by God, know his is word eat it like it says in verse 15 and have his Word inside me.  Then use my words to impact those around me, don't be weak and change my words match society.  Don't be politically correct when it comes to sharing about God.

knut