THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 34-35
“So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord…
‘Freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine.” (Jeremiah 34:17)
There comes a point when God allows us our freedom to choose folly.
He “gives us over” to the desires of our heart (see Romans 1:21-32).
This is not God being mean; this is God honouring our freedom.
But with that freedom comes consequences, and they are often not pleasant.
Jeremiah warns the people that sickness, suffering and death will result.
In the bible ‘punishment’ is not God being mean or vengeful.
Punishment (judgment, hell, etc.) are the natural consequences of rejecting God.
When we stubbornly choose our own way, God eventually allows us our freedom.
Our world is experiencing the consequences of such ‘freedom’.
In fact we’re learning that freedom from God is actually bondage and misery.
Life is not better without God; it can’t get better until we go back to God!
The freedom of submission to God is greater than freedom from submission to God.
Living with, like and for God is the key to love, joy, peace… the freedom of God!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I have seen the truth of this. Going my own way only seems to promise ‘freedom’ but actually makes life worse. Better to be your slave, than the slave of any other pleasure or thing.
This is what the Word of the Lord says.
Do I have the ears to hear what the Lord says?
His Way and not my way.
Am listening?
Do this and live!
Listen. Do.
Whose voice or word am I listening to?
Help me this day to live in Your Way Lord.
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You
You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You
Lord, You are the Potter and I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, have Thine own way
Lord, I need Your Spirit, Lord, I need Your grace;
Help me to run this Christian race.
You are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, have Thine own way.
Lord, I give my life, I give my all to You,
To be a willing vessel, to use me through and through.
Lord, I need Your Spirit, Lord, I need Your grace;
Help me to run this Christian race.
Have Your way,
Have Your way in me.
Master let your will done, Let your will be done
I am Just a piece of Clay and You are the Potter
Master let your will done, Let your will be done
I am Just a piece of Clay and You are the Potter