FIRE IN MY BONES

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 20-21

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

Underneath the Convent of the Sisters of Zion, pilgrims can visit stone pavings which are believed to be the “Pavement,” “Gabbatha,” (Lithostrotos). Nearby, Pilate had his judgment seat (John 19:13). This place is considered the second station of the Via Dolorosa (the path that Jesus took while carrying His cross on His way to be crucified). The Roman soldiers’ game in Lithostrotos pavement can still be seen as shown in the picture. Markings in the paving stones indicate a dice game known as, “The King’s Game.” It may be that this was where Jesus was mocked by the placing of a crown of thorns on His head, the old robe of royal purple, and the words, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (John 19:2-3).

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

Key Verse: Jeremiah 20:9

Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,

Nor speak anymore in His name.”

But His word was in my heart like a burning fire

Shut up in my bones;

I was weary of holding it back,

And I could not.

Jeremiah considered being “politically correct” and keeping quiet about God’s Word of judgment which the people were bringing upon themselves. However, regardless of the pressure to be silent, he continued to shout God’s message of warning, calling for repentance! Is it possible that we could be so consumed by the fire of God’s Spirit that holding back makes us “weary,” and we open our hearts and out of our mouths comes God’s Word to our generation? What does Jeremiah’s level of commitment look like in the lives of the first generation of those who followed Jesus? Read of the example of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:1-11. Paul wrote, “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open!” Jesus describes a good man as recorded in Luke 6:45. He says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks!” This blog’s main purpose is to make sure that our hearts are full of God’s Word daily! Amen! So be it!!!

Jeremiah’s prophecy about King Zedekiah was 100% accurate. Read 2 Kings 25:6-11 and 2 Chronicles 36:11-21. How tragic it was that the leadership of Israel failed to act on the message of Jeremiah 21:8, “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death.'” Moses said, centuries before when he presented the same challenge to Israel, “THEREFORE, CHOOSE LIFE!!!” (Deuteronomy 30:14-20).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I choose life! I pray that I will never falter in that choice, giving in to the pressures of political correctness. You, O Lord, are the Judge, not me. I know that my job is to speak Your Word to those with whom I come into contact. Holy Spirit, I pray that Your breath will blow on the embers of my heart daily, causing fire, as Jeremiah experienced, to burn in my bones so that I feel helpless to contain Your Word for my own benefit only. I ask You for the boldness of Peter and John who said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve stood several times on the “Pavement” pictured above and tried to explain how the Roman soldiers would use the game engraved on the stone to mock their prisoners. During my first visit in 1968, a Roman Catholic Nun took us down to the level of the ancient street below her convent and explained what happened. She was quite distant, lacking any passion when she explained the place. The next time I visited, the same sister took us downstairs. This time she passionately described how Jesus’ claims to be King were mocked, and then she began to sing, “He is Lord. He is Lord. He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” I said to her, “Sister, the last time we were here you just gave us cold facts. Something has changed. What has happened?” She answered, “O, I know Him now!” In further conversation I discovered that she had begun attending a charismatic prayer group’s meetings in the Old City of Jerusalem, and she had come into the assurance of her salvation, and been baptized with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4!

I ask my readers, “Do you know Him?” If you have any doubt about this and would like an introduction to Jesus in Person, please, please call 1-866-273-4444 toll free and ask one of our prayer partners to introduce you to Jesus Himself. They, like the Nun in Jerusalem, “KNOW HIM NOW!” The person who will answer the phone is filled with God’s Spirit. They are non-judgmental, loving, caring friends of Jesus! Go ahead, call as soon as possible. It’s available 24/7! If you get a busy signal, please don’t give up! Try until you get through.

Yours for “Knowing Him!”

David