Living in a Messed Up World

O. T. #1817 "Living in a Messed Up World"

Nov. 9, 2020

Jeremiah 44-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Even in a messed up world, there are lovely things around us. I look outside and see the bright sun shining on dull brown leaves of oak trees, shiny yellow leaves of the pecan tree, and red leaves barely hanging on. How grateful I am to be able to see colors, for I know one guy who can't because he is color blind. Then there are cutie pie kittens wrestling. Birds are in the woods singing praises to their Creator. They don't know they live in a world turned upside down. Their heavenly Father keeps providing for them.  

There are some things we can learn about our God in this chapter:

• He brings evil as a punishment  on disobedient people. (verse 2)
• He can be provoked to anger. (verse 3)
• He sends His servant prophets with warnings. (verse 4)
• He pours out His fury and anger when people had not hearkened (listen, understand, discern, obedience), inclined their ear, nor stopped burning incense to false gods. (verses 5-6)
• He can cut off our future generations. (verse 7)
• He established His laws, statutes, and testimonies, for all to obey. (verses 10,23)
• He has power to send famine, pestilence, and the sword. (verses 12-13)
• He remembers things we do. (verse 21)
• When He swares by His name to do something, then He does it. (verse 6)
• The Lord God liveth. (verse 26)
• He watches over us to bring good or disaster. (verse 27)
• He shows mercy to those who repent, turn to obey Him. (verse 28)
• His Words stand (remain, strengthen, rise up, succeed, lift up). (verse 28)
• He gives signs. (verse 29)
• He keeps His Word. (verse 29)

Does God's Word strengthen us and lift us up? It will remain forever. It will succeed in accomplishing its purpose.  

God kept His Word and sent the Babylonian army to wipe out Egypt. So we need to be on God's side, loving Him and obeying Him. You know, they cut themselves off; it was their own fault. It was too late for them. 

I call this a messed up world because we are all sinners living in it. Good is called evil and evil is called good. Yet, it has been this way since Adam and Eve first sinned. In this messed up world, we must hold onto Jesus and His Word. Trust Him to do what is right and deal with the wrongs of people. 

LET IT GROW

A small group of Jews, a remnant, returned to Judah and they lived. That would have been a long journey for them, yet it was worth it. They did not die in Egypt as others did. Such mercy of God! When the remnant heard what happened, they knew God's Word shall surely stand. (verse 29)

(After Jeremiah's forced move to Egypt, there is no word in the Bible about the events in the rest of his life. He  had a 40 year ministry of pain and few listening to him. Yet he continued to be faithful.) 

LET IT GO

You are a faithful God.

There is no one like our God.

Help us please You by being faithful.

Give us a hunger for Your Word and a thirsting for Your Spirit.