PERHAPS
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 26-28
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A menorah stands atop a table at the altar of Christ Church in Jerusalem. This church is known as the Jewish Church and is the oldest Protestant church in Israel. It is located just inside the Jaffa (Joppa) Gate on the areal where Herod’s Palace once stood. Today’s reading mentions the vessels of the Temple several times. The menorah was one of these which was taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar and then returned by Cyrus. This happened exactly as was prophesied.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 26:8
Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You will surely die!…”
Jeremiah 26 tells us that while Jeremiah did not die, his fellow true prophet, Urijah, did die for repeating and confirming Jeremiah’s words. Urijah was one of the unsung heroes of faith spoken of in Hebrews 11:36-40. Jeremiah was well aware of the price he might pay for speaking what God had commanded him to speak. However, Jeremiah’s love for God and his commitment to obey God were greater than his desire to be accepted by his peers.
Chapter 27 begins with a repetition of 26:1. Obviously Zedekiah was now king (verse 3b). Scholars agree that here is an example of a mistake by the scribe who copied this passage. This verse is omitted in some other manuscripts. Remember that the original in Hebrew was inspired by God and is correct. God allows human error. In fact, some mistakes like this can be good. Why? Because if someone at a later date was trying to cover up a copying error, it would put in question the accuracy of the record in other places. The fact is that those who copied the scrolls got it right 99.999% of the time.
Chapter 28 features one of the false prophets, Hananiah. Jeremiah said “70” years in Babylon and Hananiah said “2” years. They could not both be right. Jeremiah said “Amen” to “2” years because he wished it could be so. We always hope for what is the most optimistic outcome. Jeremiah finally said, “Hear now, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, but you make this people trust a lie” (Jeremiah 28:15).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for a willingness to trust You completely, even when my limited mind cannot fully understand Your ways. I surrender myself to You that Your will may be done in my life. In the Name of the One who always did Your perfect will, Jesus Christ. Amen!!! (I’ve just prayed the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Our Father, Who art in Heaven…”)
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Jeremiah was severely persecuted, and his fellow prophet who supported him was murdered by a corrupt government. The same thing is happening today over and over. I’ve done my best through the years to speak out against these evil acts of persecution around the world. A great guest who appeared on 100 Huntley Street television several times was Rev. Richard Wurmbrand of Romania, Founder of Voice of the Martyrs. The communist authorities imprisoned him and beat him severely in order to try to silence him. They did not succeed! My favourite part of his story was his description of how he would worship, making music with the clanging of the chains fastened to his wrists. He would demonstrate for us on TV and say to a beat, “Cling clang! Cling Clang!” A great sense of joy would fill the studio as he sang. I was always challenged to my very core by this man as to my level of commitment to Christ!
Here’s Pastor Wurmbrand on video, recorded in the 1960’s. He would have understood all that Jeremiah was going through (click here).
Yours for being faithful to God and His Word, whatever the cost!
David
Thanks for the link, David. I watched several of Pastor Wurmbrand’s videos. He is on fire for God, and set the spark in my heart. This morning, I woke up, feeling such love from God. My heart was overflowing in His presence, amen! We have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. And the life we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself up for us. We call on you, oh God of Israel and pray that you would bless us indeed, and enlarge our territory, Lord. That your hand would be upon us; that you would keep us from evil, and that we would not cause pain. Oh, how we love You, Lord! We are Your saints, here on earth and we live our lives, as it is in heaven! You are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. We are nothing without You, but everything with You. We do it all for Your glory, Lord! Amen, amen and amen! God bless you, dearest saints!
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. Jn 17:10 KJV
He Reigns, Newsboys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8R9ZPT2T-I
Amen amen
What an incredible man (Richard Wurmbrand). I remember seeing him, I believe it was at Peoples’ Church in Toronto. He had to have been really close to the Lord to remain mentally well. He shows a really good reason to memorize and be very familiar with scripture for such a time as this. What more can I say.
From Streams in the Desert, February 5
“Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Nor deem these days–these waiting days–as ill!
The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,
Hath not forgotten thy great need today!
And, if He waits, ’tis sure He waits to prove
To thee, His tender child, His heart’s deep love.
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord’s will!
While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way
Corrodingly within, because of His delay
Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest
That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Nor move one step, not even one, until
His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!
How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet
Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!
And waiting days not counted then too long.
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
What higher service could’st thou for Him fill?
‘Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost!
For lack of losing all how much is lost!
‘Tis hard, ’tis true! But then–He giveth grace
To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.”
–J. D. Smith
Father, please don’t put me through the test!
Thank you David for the link of Rev. Richard Wurmbrand. A powerful testimony!!!..
God Bless you and your family this day Pastor David!!!
I can’t contain myself, saints! Something powerful is happening, today, in the name of our Lord and Saviour, all across the world. The Spirit is moving! We proclaim Your Name above all names. We hold and wave Your banner, high, stand strong and sing our praises loud and with conviction! We believe, yes, we believe!!
We Believe, The Newsboys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjZ01FcK0yk
Wonderful message this day from the Word and this blog, Pastor David. Jeremiah showed himself to be a true prophet of God who had truly heard from God. Such resillence and trust in the face of persecution and death! Deeply moved by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand’s testimony again. Thank you for your posting Beverlee. Woke up praying this morning, “Lord, show me your ways.”
What a wondering inspiring blog today. Thank you for all the links. Pastor Wurmbrand’s testimony spoke deeply to my heart.
Thank you Beverlee for your postings. I can sense your excitement.
Blessings dear saints.
Amen! Catherine.
I prayed your prayer for today Pastor Mainse.
What a powerful testimony from Rev. Richard Wurmbrand!
Praise God Almighty for His salvation, Amen!!
Thank you David for the link of Pastor Wumbrard’s testimony it was very powerful.
The poem Beverlee you wrote about sitting still I find it hard to do these days
I do like all your poems.
Lianne Hogg
Thank you to all the saints who prayed for my 92 year old mother a couple days back. Through your intercession the Lord was able to bring healing to her situation. Her knee and leg are almost 100 percent better and she can now put her weight on it without pain and I am very grateful to God for this improvement because it is very difficult to watch those you love suffer— all of you are in my prayers daily as well.
Amen Donna, Praise The Lord He is a merciful God. Wonderful blog and friends.
Thank you Pastor David for that powerful video.
PRAISE THE LORD AND THANK YOU LORD FOR HEALING DONNA’S MOM,
FILL THIS PRECIOUS LADY WITH JOY, THANKFULNESS, GRACE, MERCY ALL THIS COMES FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR RISEN LORD AND SAVIOUR ! PRAISE HIS NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES! amen