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.
Great scripture, message, history lesson and prayer. We delight to do Your will, oh God. Thank You Lord for Your sacrifice for us. We are not worthy to receive You. But we vow to serve You on earth and spread the seeds of Your precious love, so all may come to meet You in heaven. All for Your glory. Keep well today, fellow saints–holding everyone in prayer.
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zecchariah 4:6 ESV
Shane & Shane: I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8pCbtLeXzc
” end quote
I almost disagree with your statement.God made us the way we are but He also gave us the free will to choose to overcome our shortfall/sins through His law,through Jesus’ teachings and with the help of the holy Spirit,IMHO.I enjoy your comments.Thanks
Now I have some reading to do.
I am not sure what you are referring to, here, Bill, disagreeing with what statement? We are not worthy to receive You?
Love that song,Beverlee.I’m just getting started because of a power outage.I love the look of that building built by the Dan family,very good taste to match it’s surroundings.I had to google that name and am fascinated by such accomplishments.His children are briliant too.Read for yourself:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yad_Vashem
The wrath of God – how terrible. His care for His obedient one is so encouraging – we are blessed to know Him. Lord, help us. We know that all have sinned but You provided a Saviour & Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Praise You Lord. Thank You, Lord. Hallelujah!
Amen
Amen Doreen
Such a tiny word, “if”, but God uses it to get our attention–and it does:-).
Oswald Chambers: “The one thing for which we are all being disciplined is to know that God is real. As soon as God becomes real, other people become shadows. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever perturb the one who is built on God.”
“In “Christianity isn’t catching on with Generation Z,” Brendan Pringle speaks to Gen Z’ers (born in the late 1990s and early 2000s) lack of church attendance and religious distrust, pointing to a deficiency of moral guidance as the largest culprit in their absence of religion. Where once they may have asked a pastor about life’s toughest questions, many now turn to their most-trusted source for “expert” opinions: the internet.” Dr. Jim Denison.
May God bless you and keep you this and every day dear saints.
On-the-nose with that quote,Lynda.You reminded me of a poem I wrote that I had almost forgotten.”IF”.Please don’t take it personally,lol.God bless.
If
If you should but touch my cheek,
It would be the bliss I seek.
But if you should walk away
I’d wish you joy every day.
If my thoughts should turn from you,
I’d know my life here was through
And there were no stars above,
For Heaven had lost its purest love.
If I should dream to kiss your lips
My heart would sing as it slips
Forever captive within your soul,
A willing slave,my eternal role.
If you ever should seek my heart,
You must first before you start,
Look through your deep dark eyes,
For that is where my heart lies.
The prison there needs no gate,
For I eagerly seek just this fate,
And eternity is too short a turn
For a fire that will forever burn.
G W (Bill) Marshall / Late November 2011
How moving is that poem Bill!! Sending it to my sister back Ottawa way, she’ll love it. Who did u write this poem for?
Amen William, “if” takes us nowhere
Amen
Thank you Beverlee and Linda D, your comments and quotes and also your music is so uplifting!
I have to confess sometimes I just get feeling rather “down” with the book of Jeremiah, so much unfaithfulness and self absorbed sin, and then I start to wonder have we ever even learned anything? Have we human’s changed at all?
I know… we also have the New Testament and we have Jesus…and that ultimately
God will win over all evil……sometimes I think I just get overwhelmed with my own struggle to be a faithful follower and to make a difference….
Philippians 1:6
“…..he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Everyone is a sinner throughout their life….unless Jesus returns before we…..before our bodies die.He is cleaning us on the inside making us ready for that day.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1&version=NKJV;NIV
I hear ya, Anne. Sometimes it seems downing but we have Jesus to lift us up. I try to read Psalms every day because I find strength in them. Bless you!
Dear Lord God, it is amazing to think that You are the same God who spoke to Adam and Eve, Enoch, Noah, Job, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, John, Paul, and all Your dearly-loved children through the ages. Thank You for loving us, for calling us back to following You. I love Your response to Jeremiah’s prayers:
““If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
They will fight against you like an attacking army,
but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.
They will not conquer you,
for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”
(Jer 15:19-21 NLT)
Father, please help all Your people to return to You, to speak good words, and to trust in You. As David often prayed, please give each one the grace to obey You, and please help us to share Your Word with others. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob!
Amen! Loved and appreciated all the comments today. I feel so blessed to be part of this blog group 🙂
Amen,Rob.Thanks for that prayer.”We are of no import to the world but are a treasure to Him.” GWM
Everytime I see that portrait of Ivan the Terrible I can’t help but think of Vincent Price.Is it just me?God bless
The Kingdom Is Ours
Oh,Lord,though we have sinned against You
And have done evil in your sight,
You still love us the ages through,
Withholding from us Your just might.
To each of us You have been a Friend,
Your guidance led those who would hear
And shown Your mercy has no end;
As we repent,you draw us near.
Lord,restore to us a right spirit,
For You have washed away our sin
And we know we’re not to fear it
When evil seeks to come within.
Oh,my Savior,You are always true
And we want to walk in Your light
But there is one who will undo
And e’er seeks to bind us in fright.
Oh Lord,we know Your word is our shield
But relentless thoughts from the snake,
Seek to steal what we must not yield,
For the kingdom is ours to take.
G W(Bill) Marshall/13 Sept, 2015
Amen!
Amen Rob and to all posts today! I especially like those words of God to Jeremiah too. Jeremiah is one of my favorite Bible characters as he is so compassionate for his people and the book is simple to read.
Amen Ger!
yes, Amen Ger
Amen
I’m blessed by all your prayers and comments today.
I’m blessed to be part of this blog group. God Bless You All
Thank you and God Bless the Mainse Family
Amen Teresa
Thank you Mainse family for this post What a spectacular building of the “old Jerusalem” Thanks Reynold
Thank you bloggers for your prayers and comments.
have restful sleep this night