RETURNING GOD’S CALLS

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 5-6

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 part of an ancient road that is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. An artist depicts what the rest of it might have looked like from the time of Jesus. How tragic that such a beautiful city should be reduced to rubble with its people either killed or taken as slaves.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Jeremiah 6:10

To whom shall I speak and give warning,

That they may hear?

Indeed their ear is uncircumcised,

And they cannot give heed.

Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them;

They have no delight in it.

Jeremiah 5:21-25 is God’s attempt to communicate with His people in Jerusalem. He says, “Hear this now!” We bring disaster upon ourselves when we fail to listen to God’s Word! It’s not His fault! It’s ours! Jeremiah and a few others heard God, but the political leadership and the majority would not listen.

In our key verse in Jeremiah 6, God seems to be giving up after many attempts to communicate. The time comes when God resigns Himself to allowing the stubborn free will of people to prevail. He’s not wanted, and He won’t force Himself on them, which would reduce His people, made in His image, to being puppets and robots who are forced to do His will. God knows when He is not wanted and He withdraws. The communications breakdown is never at God’s end of the line. People hang up on Him!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You promised that You would answer when I call You! You said, and I quote You, “Call to Me and I will answer you!!!” (Jeremiah 33:3). I’ve heard that reference called, “God’s telephone number.” I pray that You will keep me alert to hear You and to answer when You call me! I hear You calling me now and I hear Your voice as I read Your Word to me through Jeremiah. I say, “Yes Lord, I hear You!!!” Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

For the first 15 years of Crossroads television, the Lord sent in enough money to pay all our bills to cover the costs of the 30-minute weekly Crossroads show and the 30-minute Circle Square show for children. Never did I mention money on TV. When we signed the contract for release of the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast, I was shocked to hear what I believe was the voice of God saying to me, “David, you are going to have to ask for people’s support on TV. I don’t have enough people who take the time to hear My voice to raise the necessary funds for this expansion.” I was dumfounded, but said “Yes, Lord.” One way or the other, God made sure that bills were paid and that His Name was honoured by that fact. But that’s a very small thing compared to the failure to listen to God on the part of the people of Jerusalem, who were not only failing to pay attention to God, but who had deliberately disobeyed Him after they had heard His words through Jeremiah!

Yours for listening quietly, carefully and obediently to God’s Word!!!

David

Below is a picture of the big rock in front of the Crossroads Centre. The words on the plaque (see caption) are from Jeremiah 6:16, the New International Version translation. Instead of the word “ways” inferring a crossroads as in the NKJV, it actually uses the word “crossroads” in the NIV. This is an essential message from God to each one of us.

The plaque below the big rock outside the Crossroads Centre in Burlington reads, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).