TERRIBLE
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 14-15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here is a modern building in the Old City of Jerusalem made with the same type of stone that the ancients used to build Jerusalem. This is the Aish Hatorah World Centre, built by the Dan family of Canada. On top of this building, encased in glass, is a replica model of the Temple that once sat upon the Temple Mount. The history of Jerusalem is “terrible.” It has been destroyed and rebuilt more times than any other city on earth.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 15:21b
I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.
The word “terrible” refers to that which causes TERROR! We’re all familiar with that word and with the Satan-inspired evil of terrorism. Jerusalem suffered from lack of rain and from attacks by its enemies in the years prior to its total destruction by the Babylonian (Iraq) army. The people were terrorized and yet they did not turn with all their hearts to the true and living God. Jeremiah refused to cease his prayers of intercession for his people. He prayed, “Are You not He, O Lord our God? Therefore, we will wait for You!” In spite of what Jeremiah calls, “the grip of the terrible,” he adamantly refuses to give up on God!
Chapter 14 tells us of those claiming to be prophets who speak lies using God’s Name. Contrast this with Jeremiah, God’s true spokesperson. God’s person, when God’s Word is read, “eats the book!” (Jeremiah 15:16). The man or woman of God inwardly digests God’s book! We are doing this daily here in this blog. The result is as Jeremiah experienced, “Joy and rejoicing of my heart!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, just as Jeremiah refused to give up his preaching of Your Word, so I pray that I will never give up sharing Your Word in every possible way. Teach me, O Lord, to be more effective in intercessory prayer, waiting in faith for Your deliverance from “the grip of the terrible!” I pray this in the Name of the greatest Intercessor, Jesus Christ, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just read the intercessory prayer of Jesus (John 17:1-26). Jesus, in His life and death on the Cross, experienced the greatest and most “terrible” disaster possible, and He accomplished redemption. The word “mortgage” means “death” (mort) “grip” (gage). According to the dictionary, the word “redemption” means “the act of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment.” The word “redemption” comes to us in the English language from Latin and literally means “buy back.” Ever heard of Ivan the Terrible, Czar of Russia? He built St. Bazil’s Cathedral to celebrate his victory over the Muslim Tartars (picture below). He made England’s Henry VIII look good. Ivan was excommunicated by the Orthodox Church, but he was so “religious” (like many in Jeremiah’s day) that he made a hole in the wall of the church and would stand outside in below zero weather for two hours each Sunday morning, so he could still observe the service inside. His wife and children were only allowed to sit in the balcony.
Yours for God’s deliverance from dead, religious observance and for the reality of the experience described by Jeremiah, “Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16b),
David
St. Bazil’s Cathedral, Moscow, in the winter.
An artist’s depiction of Ivan the Terrible.
Awesome history lesson with photos; thank you, David. Yes, Lord, we lick our lips in the savouring flavour of Your delicious Words. Let the Spirit flow through our mouths, Lord, as we share Jesus with those we encounter, today. We owe it all to You, Lord. We bow down at the cross, in Your precious Name, Jesus!! Amen, saints!!
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7
At the Cross (Love Ran Red), Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDAI0t49EDk
Amen!! Thank you Beverlee
From Streams in the Desert, January 29:
“When God is in the midst of a kingdom or city He makes it as firm as Mount Zion, that cannot be removed. When He is in the midst of a soul, though calamities throng about it on all hands, and roar like the billows of the sea, yet there is a constant calm within, such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away. What is it but want of lodging God in the soul, and that in His stead the world is in men’s hearts, that makes them shake like leaves at every blast of danger?” –Archbishop Leighton
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever” (Psalm 125:1).
“There is a quaint old Scottish version that puts iron into our blood:
Who sticketh to God in stable trust
As Zion’s mount he stands full just,
Which moveth no whit, nor yet doth reel,
But standeth forever as stiff as steel!”
Amen, thanks for sharing Beverlee!
I would also like to thank you Beverlee.
You are very welcome, saints!
A quick note to thank everyone for their prayers for little Amelia she came through the procedures very well Praise God and the Drs. We’re amazed at her bravery and how calm she was …..surely a gift from God. They took several biopsies and will be two weeks before results are in. She is doing very well and back to her usual smiles. Your prayers are felt and blessings to all.
Praise God for blessing Amelia through her test! Thank you David for the history lesson and your posting Beverlee. “…If you take the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth…”(15:19b) is a great promise. Blessings!
Dear Lord God, Thanks for every blessing of healing You give to us all.
I pray You will increase our faith & trust in You, especially when things
are difficult. Praise God Almighty in whom we trust, Amen!!
Gladys: thanks for the update on Mary Stewart last night. Will continue to uphold her in prayer along with so many others, using my ‘fragments of time’ to ask God’s blessing on these folks.
This is the DAY the Lord has made and I choose to rejoice and be glad in it!!!
Thank you Pastor David for posting the intercessory prayer of Jesus (John 17:1-26). How blessed we are! What a comfort to know that Jesus continues to intercede for us. Thank you for your commentaries on the difference between religious legalism and a relationship with Jesus.
Have a blessed day all you saints! He has set us FREE TO LIVE IN HIM!!
Amen, Irene!! We are free because of our precious Jesus!! We shall rejoice and be glad in it!! 😀
Holding you up in prayer, Mary. Hang on tight to Jesus, sister. Unforeseen medical situations, unexpected pain and endless procedures are in God’s hands and His timing. He knows what is best and it will all work out. Your body will heal in time for the best possible surgery date, surgeon, and assisting staff. Trust in Your God. He will not fail you! Hold onto His cloak!
Amen! coming in agreement in prayer with you Beverlee for Mary’s total and complete healing in the Mighty Name of Jesus.!!!
Thank you Bev. I will pass on your prayer and good wishes to Mary.
Gladys (sister-in-law)
thank you for letting us know about Mary.
have been praying for her daily, I believe all the infection will disappear and her surgery will go very well. I also believe that she will do very well in her rehab and she will be totally healed in time to feel the warm sun and hear the birds chirping and smell the sweet flowering shrubs. I believe God will grant her a wonderful summer. I believe this because God is good! In Jesus name I Pray all these things for Mary Stewart! AMEN
Praying for healing for Mary Stewart;
prayng for healing for Eleanor’s friend who recently lost her husband; praying for the friend for strength to continue her chemo; praying for Eleanor who has been giving her friend all the suport she needs! God bless good friends!