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.
Oh Lord I am praying David’s prayer along with my blogger friends….Teach me oh lord to be more effective in intercessory prayer, for my country, my neighbours, family and friends…
As I was reading today’s Bible chapters it struck me how tenacious Jeremiah was, his strength and resolve to intercede for his country and people is amazing.
Sometimes I seem to get discouraged so quickly at the state of our world, my prayer is to be given more of God’s strength and resolve.
May our Father’s joy and peace be in all of our hearts today.
Father God I pray that you will keep our country free that we will never be ruled by those like Ivan the terrible. I pray for all those in Ottawa and those gathering in other areas of our country
Please Jesus take the wheel and be with everyone of them. Please return our country to one where You have dominion from sea to sea
Amen!
Amen
Agreeing with you, Anne. There is a more lack of true teaching of the principles of God these days (even in TV advertising). I am shocked at times but I will be more determined now to pray against these things. Jeremiah sure had steadfast determination. Blessings all. P.S. this early morning I saw the brightest, large, lone star in the east. It was beautiful.
I saw that lone star here in Florida, wasn’t far from the sliver of the moon.
Yes. The moon & star were very close.
Amenl to both Anne and HJR’s prayers.
Jeremiah was a very patient man, my prayer is that I won’t give up although things around us seem to be falling apart
May we all be a blessing to someone today.
Eleanor M.
Agreeing with the above remarks and prayers.
Even though we are going through tough times we can always find something to be thankful for. Thank you Lord for saving my soul.
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8t2zK2LaPRk
Yes, thank you Lord for saving my soul!
Amen
“I stand I stand in awe of you” – this song has been playing in my head for a few days. There is a beautiful clip on youtube (I think it is Hillsong) but I don’t know how to share it. The Lord has moved me so much since I wrote a post a few days ago saying that I dreaded reading Jeremiah. He has brought me to a place of reverence and awe for all of God’s Word, and I have been changed. Thank You Lord! Praise the Lord! for He is good, His mercy endureth forever! We pray Lord that you would pour out your Spirit on us all this day. Thank you wonderful Lord Jesus.
From Jeremiah 15:
“This is how the Lord responds:
“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.”
Our Father, Creator of all, Commander of Heaven’s armies, thank You for making Jeremiah steadfast as He served You. You do this for all who return to You, those who call on You, those who seek You in truth.
Yet You are gentle; You weep for Your people and long that they would return to You. Help all Your people to be like Jeremiah, influencing others for good rather than being influenced by the wickedness that his society was steeped in.
Yes, we do stand in awe of You, Lord, the One who is good, in Jesus’s great name, amen
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BmZTz5H49zw Here it is Wendy.
thank you Eleanor. Agreeing with the prayers of you all.