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
Wow! Pastor Wurmbrand’s video is amazing!! He reminds me of the Apostle Paul–so intense and full of God’s love! No fear because Christ lives in Him, truly! “He would have understood all that Jeremiah was going through,” indeed! His blessings upon you, today, fellow saints in the Lord. Please pray for me, today, with my writing.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6
Robin Mark–We Bow Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMJWbW8aVLQ
Amen Beverlee: And I pray for the Lord’s guidance for you as you lean on Him: I pray for a Spirit of calm to enfold you: Your
confidence is in Him: I pray for peace of mind as you lean on Him this day and always>
“Leaning, leaning, leaning on the ever lasting….” Blessings on your day, Amen!
Thank you Irene, dear sister-in-Christ! I had a great deal of peace, today.
God Bless you Beverlee
Beverlee Kay;
I also thank the Lord for this prayer site and for all of you who post blogs,
Please pray the Lord will send me a financial breakthrough; a gal in the next town won $500,000.00 in a Lottery; she didn’t think she won anything and threw the ticket away and 10 seconds after she dug into the garbage and found the ticket and checked it out and she won the big money……
I was very thankful for her winning; so, Lord if He can do it for this gal, I pray He can do this for me also….Thank you Lord for Your unconditional love and forgiveness,
Faithful One – Lord God, that’s You! Thank You for being truthful to death and beyond. Thank You for all Your faithful ones all over this world, those like Uriah and Jeremiah and Richard Wurmbrand, those persecuted, in jail or suffering in their witness for You. Give each one the strength, the grace and support they need to overcome every obstacle, victorious in You. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen
I saw Richard @ People’s Church in Toronto. He was barefoot. He found it hard to wear shoes after his imprisonments. An amazing man. He retained a clear & healthy mind, and of course his faith in God.
Jeremiah was incredibly faithful!! I’d a been gone to China ions ago:-(. Praise the Lord for courageous people he sends among us.
“It is our job as Christians to warn those who are in eternal danger before it’s too late. Their response is not our responsibility. They may hear us and heed our message. They may reject our warning. They may ignore us.
What we do not want them to be able to say one day before God is that we didn’t tell them.
G. Campbell Morgan noted, “To call a man evangelical who is not evangelistic is an utter contradiction.”
We can say that the gospel is right or that it is wrong, but we cannot say that it is irrelevant. If it is true, every person we know will spend eternity in heaven or in hell depending on their response to God’s offer of salvation. If it is false, it is a lie.
If you believe that it is true, that the people you know are in imminent danger from the “lions” they don’t recognize, you must tell them.” Dr. Jim Denison.
Praying for Christians all over the world and those who will one day decide to follow Jesus with all His wise precepts.
Amen Lynda D
Yes Lynda; amen amen and amen!
Thank you Lord for your faithful servants who faithfully served you at whatever cost like Jeremiah, Uriah, and Richard Wurmbrand. Remember hearing stories in Bulgaria of what it was like under Communist rule. What a testimony by Richard Wurmbrand and Lord help us to remember them daily including Nigeria where Christians are under attack right now. Lord give us strength to do your will. Amen!
I heard Richard Wurmbrand when he was in Edmonton with his wife. this was in the early 70’s. Amazing what man can endure for his love and commitment in service to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!!
Dear Beverlee
I’m sorry Beverlee, the Lord brought your name to me this morning during my time of prayer, and I did lift you up in prayer at that time: but when I responded to your prayer request this morning; I was not sure if I should share this with as well..
However, this afternoon as I was resting. I was prompted to share this with you.
I’m sorry, forgive me!
There’s nothing to forgive, Irene! I am so grateful for your prayers especially if the Holy Spirit prompts you and I asked for prayers. I was so peaceful this afternoon in our bible study and am certain your prayers made a positive difference for me. Thank you dear one!!