SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 46
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
‘Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,’ declares the LORD. ’Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” [Jeremiah 46:28]
This chapter describes a time of upheaval in the middle east; interestingly we are presently seeing upheaval again today.
Without getting into the HOWS and WHYS of events then or now, the lesson in this passage is that behind the many minds and hands at work in history, the Mind and Hand of God is at work for His purpose.
His purpose is to restore His family – not just the Jews but the whole human family, from every tribe and tongue!
In the midst of many nations, He raises up a missionary people, a people called to bless the nations.
Here we see that God will discipline them when they turn against God and His purpose, but He will not completely reject them.
I am with you, I will not completely destroy you, I will discipline you but only in due measure, I will not let you go entirely unpunished!
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. [John 15:1-2]
God’s plan, through Jesus Christ, is still to restore His family, His missionary people, and He is pruning (disciplining) them to make them more fruitful.
It is the Mind and Hand of the Master Gardener that is at work in the world and in the church, removing that which hinders His mission and strengthening that which helps His mission.
God does not just prune us as individuals, the church as a whole is pruned.
We are seeing similar pruning happening in the church and world today.
Established churches are splitting or dying, new churches are rising from the ashes, the church is growing all over the world – except in Europe and North America.
I see all the tensions going on in the world serving as a wake-up call for christians and churches.
Wherever we are meeting as God’s missionary people, we are being reminded that God is the Mind and Hand behind world events, and His purpose is to discipline and strengthen us.
I believe God is disciplining many churches today, not to destroy them but to get them back on track, back to their purpose.
Yes, Egypt is in turmoil, North Africa is in crisis, the middle east is changing every day, but through it all God is reminding His people of their position and purpose in the world…
May we be faithful to our calling!
I am with you, I will not completely destroy you, I will discipline you but only in due measure, I will not let you go entirely unpunished!
PRAYER:
Lord, all around us the world is rumbling and changing. Remind me why I am here, why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing, no matter what happens everywhere else! Prune us and make us more fruitful!
The Word of the Lord is coming to pass upon the people – all people – not jus His own. But He did promise His own that He would surely save them from the distant place and not completely destroy them. God is dealing with His people, disciplining His people, really stating turn your hearts to God. And we the people, I, am/are slow learners. Time and time again in the past and also today, we turn to our own saviours. But there is but One. Turn Your hearts to home and serve Him and He will rescue you and guide you in the way you/I need to walk.
Listen to His voice. He has promised that He saves His own. He will not destroy them as other nations but He will discipline us. The scattering among the nations was also part of his discipline. Turn your heart to Home!
Where did I see the hand of God today? Where do I see the hand of God in the world today? Open my eyes Lord that I may see You at work in this time and this place in history. It is all about His Story but am I able to see God at work reclaiming His own so that His own is not completely destroyed?
Precious Lord, take my hand.
Lead me on, let me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, and worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, lead me near,
When my life is almost gone.
Hear my cry, hear my call.
Hold my hand, lest I fall.
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand.
Guide my feet, hold my hand,
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.