The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord (Jeremiah 7:1-2).
When we read through the Book of Jeremiah we often view it as a book of history detailing the misadventures of people that lived long ago. We shake our heads at their stubborn worldly behavior, and we wonder why they did not heed the warnings of the LORD. This is not the manner in which God wishes us to read His WORD. The Bible consists of the living WORD (Heb. 4:12), and it is active and applicable to modern life as it was on the day it was first uttered and recorded. Keeping that fact in the forefront of our minds, let us now re-read the message that Jeremiah delivered as he stood in the gate of the LORD’s house.
It was in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah (Jer. 26:1), during one of three major Feasts (Festivals) to which all Jewish males were required to come to Jerusalem, that God instructed Jeremiah to stand in the Temple’s entrance and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. On what was normally a day of joyful celebration, Jeremiah pronounced a most severe and harsh accusation from the LORD: Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord (Jer. 7:9-11).
These words infuriated all those that heard them. After all in their opinion they were worshiping God in accordance with His directives. The priests, prophets, and people would not tolerate condemnation by ‘narrow-minded’ Jeremiah. Ne was publicly calling them out for sins that they felt had nothing to do with their worship in the Temple
What would happen if Jeremiah stood in the entranceway of our churches today? Would we be able to face his truth as we passed by him on Easter Sunday? As he ran through his list of sins including adultery, lying, greed and idol worship (Remember, an idol is anything that you hold in higher esteem that God), how would we react? Would we examine our hearts before approaching God, or would we angrily push past him and accuse him of trying to ruin our Easter Celebration with his vile and vicious accusations?
Through God’s living Word, Jeremiah is indeed standing at the doorway of every church. Although to the unrepentant sinner his presence presents an unwelcome accusation, to the child of God it should serve as reminder that we are accountable to God for everything that we do, whether it ‘officially’ pertains to worship or not. He has been placed there to convict us of our sins, not out of malice, but out of a sincere desire to turn our hearts back to God.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (2 Corinthians 13:5)?
Thought for Today: It is foolish to focus on our perceived superiority to acient peoples, rather it would be wise to reflect on our similarities with them in the eyes of God.
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The Bible Pathway Ministries Daily Devotional has truly been a blessing to my life for over 28 years now. I would pray that this message would be a blessing to all today.
Please, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, wake up to the evils which surrounds us... Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:11-18).
If you haven't made a decision for Christ today, it is well pass the time of getting serious with your faith. We know that no man knows the hour of Christ return but we can know the season of His return and all indications points to this time we are living in now; thus, today is the day of Salvation.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25). This meaning, many may claim to be Christian, yet they never attend church where they could possible strengthen others in the faith or to be strengthen by others themselves.
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