“I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the LORD.” —Jeremiah 16:21

When you think about all the things you could possibly inherit, Levi’s jeans might not be at the top of the list. When Solomon Warner passed away in 1899, he left behind a wooden trunk, which eventually passed through his descendants. Inside that trunk was something that must’ve seemed pretty mundane to Warner himself: A pair of 44-37 Levi’s jeans made in 1893, according to the New York Post.

Currently in the possession of Warner’s great-great-grandson, Jock Taylor, those jeans are now thought to be the oldest unworn pair of Levi’s on the planet. As of 2017, Levi’s offered Taylor $50,000 for the denim trousers but he is hanging on to that inheritance for the time being, hoping the value will continue to increase.

The prophet Jeremiah lamented about a people of a different kind of inheritance—the hereditament of falsehood. The “fathers” of “nations” had given themselves to the idolatry of “worthless things” because they had “inherited nothing but lies.” In this passage, Jeremiah painted a contrast of Israel’s rebellion with a future time of Gentile repentance, when nations would ultimately turn from those lies which they had inherited, and become liberated by life-changing truth.

Think about some of the lies you may have “inherited” throughout your lifetime—I’m not worthy of love. I’m not good enough. I don’t belong. I was born a mistake. I was destined for failure. My past is too dirty for God to forgive me. I can’t do relationships. I’ll always be lonely. My contribution to the world doesn’t matter. I’m never going to be free. Or, how about this timeless gem of Satan—Christianity is just a crutch for weak people.

Satan is the original liar and he will do and say anything to keep you oppressed. Jesus referred to him as the “father of lies” (John 8:44). And whether it was in the context of the Garden of Eden or in the context of the bedroom pillow you lay your head on every night, we need to understand something about the lies we inherit. We started to lie to ourselves when the devil caused us to doubt the only One in this world who is Truth. The devil has told us so many lies that oftentimes we do his dirty work for him—we lie to ourselves!

The good news in Jeremiah’s prophecy, and in our journey to the truth that sets us free and keeps us free, is that God promised to expose the lies and restore His people. Israel would return from exile in redemptive fashion. Gentile nations would forsake their idols, confessing that He alone is God and thus able to save. You would hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, become a disciple of truth, and breakaway from the lies that took you hostage. Jeremiah likened this renewal to be so astounding that it will surpass the first exodus (Jeremiah 16:14-15, 32:37; Deuteronomy 30:1–10).

God alone is the one Who delivers from the lies you’ve inherited. Jesus died and rose again so that your sins would be forgiven, you could be adopted into God’s family, and your life would be governed by the Truth that sets you free. God has an exodus planned for you, beloved. He is faithful to finish what He began in you. Truth still gets the last word in the story of your life. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for being such a gracious, merciful, and forgiving God. I praise you, for you are the God of Truth, and your Truth trumps the lies and manipulation of the enemy. Holy Spirit, help me to decipher the lies I have inherited. Expose any falsehood in my heart. Empower me to live from a place of alignment with your Word, as I seek to abide in you daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection or group discussion:

1. What is one of the strangest inheritances you’ve ever learned about?
2. What kinds of lies might we inherit from the world in which we live today?
3. What great event in Israel’s past did God say would be exceeded by His eventual deliverance? (Jeremiah 16:14-15)
4. What lies do you need deliverance from right now?
5. What can you do intentionally this week to confront and overcome lies with the truth of God’s Word?

The post Levi’s Jeans and the Inheritance of Lies appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

Have you ever felt paralyzed to act because a situation looked so bleak?

Imagine being Jeremiah in ancient Judah. He was in prison for preaching God’s prophetic words to the people, a Babylonian invasion was imminent, and the future didn’t look promising, yet the LORD told him to do something that required a radical trust in God’s goodness. Instead of being crippled by fear, God told him to buy real estate!

God told Jeremiah to buy a piece of land… albeit from prison! There probably wasn’t a worse time to be buying property in Judah, and yet God sent Jeremiah’s cousin, Hanamel, to help with the deed purchase. It required a remarkable act of faith on Jeremiah’s part, because the land would be subject to foreign occupiers for the next 70 years—years of desolation and despair. God promised that ultimately the people’s fortunes would be restored:

I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul. “For thus says the LORD: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’” (Jeremiah 32:40–43)

The real estate deed was placed in a jar of clay for preservation, because one day their family members’ descendants would return to Judah after exile and prove that they own the property. The imagery here depicts a vote of confidence in God’s promise that His people will eventually return, not to mention a savvy real estate deal (imagine the value of that land in 70 years!). Though judgment is still forthcoming, Jeremiah is making an investment in the stock of Judah’s future restoration. He’s not paralyzed by the dreadful circumstances of the moment. The real estate market will inevitably rebound, as “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.” (v.15)

What if we fleshed out the days of our lives on Jeremiah’s premise in verse 17? “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” The Babylonians are still going to capture Jerusalem and burn it down. Things have already been set in motion as a consequence of the people’s sinful rebellion. But, God’s still got this!!! And in the words of Nemo, “that’s a pretty big [But]!”

Jeremiah’s faith was tested by dismal conditions and improbable outcomes, yet galvanized by the unchangeable character of His God: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27ESV) God was faithful to His covenant promises, and He wasn’t going to leave His people exiled forever.

In an unstable world that fuels worry for today and anxiety over the future, we can have a stable hope because of the steadfastness of our God. He is good—always and forever. His character is immutable. Whatever the state of your present circumstances, He’s got this. That’s not a false hope, that’s an unchanging God reigning supreme over an ever-changing world—and spoiler alert, He knows the future. And because of that, we don’t ever have to be paralyzed by fear. Take refuge in that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Ah, Lord God, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult for you! We rest in this promise. You’ve got this, and you can be trusted. Holy Spirit, lead us to live our lives, and invest ourselves, in ways that reflect this faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. When have you been in a situation that crippled you with fear?
2. What course of action did Jeremiah take? Why? (Jeremiah 32:8-12) What did God say after Jeremiah hid the deed to his newly purchased property in a clay jar? (vv.13-15)
3. What truths did Jeremiah proclaim about God’s nature? (v.17) Why was Jeremiah left to marvel over what he had just done? (vv.24-25)
4. What was God’s reply to Jeremiah’s doubts? (vv.26-27) What glimpse into the more distant future did God give to Jeremiah? (vv.37-44) How did Jeremiah’s seemingly irrational actions concerning a piece of property serve to illustrate what God was revealing?
5. In what area of your life could it be helpful to ponder the truth that nothing is too hard for God?

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The post Jeremiah: Buying Real Estate From Prison appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” —Jeremiah 12:5

When Chase Elliott became the third youngest stock car driver to win a NASCAR Cup championship in 2020, it may have surprised others, but it was no surprise to him. Elliott has become successful at the highest level of his sport, riding on a mantra that he learned from University of Georgia head football coach, Kirby Smart. “Pressure is really a privilege,” the coach said. “You should feel privileged to have pressure to win games, to have expectations.” Elliott believes that if you don’t like the pressure, you don’t deserve the right to be in a situation that has such huge stakes attached to it.

Jeremiah was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, who faced immense pressure in his leadership. First it was the pressure of rising above the intimidation of being such a young leader and finding the confidence to overcome the insecurities innate to that territory (Jeremiah 1). Later he would complain to God about the pressure of his leadership assignments, especially when he was under attack and ridicule from others. He asked God: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”

Jeremiah found himself in a pressure cooker situation, calling out the sins of his people as they plunged into a delusional state of apostasy. He suffered ridicule and even murderous plots for doing God’s work, and yet God didn’t coddle this guy in his self-pity. Look at the tough love packed into this question: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5 ESV) It’s the Lord’s rebuke and a warning that Jeremiah must brace for greater difficulty and even more pressure to come. If Jeremiah doesn’t know what to do with the pressure of this moment, he is grossly unprepared to face what is going to happen next. Or in NASCAR vernacular, If he cain’t keep pace wit ‘dem fellers, he surely ain’t gonna keep up wit ‘dem horses!

Every trial that you and I face today could very well be preparing us for an even greater testing of our faith tomorrow. Are we embracing the tension and handling the pressure with God’s perspective? Leaning into Christ’s strength in our weakness enables us to run with the kind of perseverance we didn’t think was possible (2 Corinthians 12:9). You never know what you are capable of going through until God brings you through it. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we see your love even in rebuke. It always comes with a grace to lean into you for strength, sufficiency, and wiser perception. Help us to view pressure through the lens of a sound biblical perspective. Holy Spirit, grant us the power to endure every trial and every hardship with the kind of poise that can only you can give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. How do you typically fare under pressure?
2. What questions did Jeremiah pose to God concerning His justice? (Jeremiah 12:1-4) How did God respond? (v.5) What did God reveal that He intended to do to His unfaithful people? (vv.7-13)
3. Why is it sometimes tempting to give up living God’s way if you see no immediate results?
4. What is your perspective of pressure in this moment? Is it a privilege? A burden? Something else?
5. In what area of your life do you need to guard against self-pity and to gain a better perspective of trials and pressure situations?

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The post Chase Elliott: The Privilege of Pressure appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.” —Jeremiah 17:7

Do you want to experience a “happy” new year? Psalm 1:1-6 makes it very clear what will determine that, by giving us two pictures of contrasting dispositions: The God-abiding person and the self-abiding person. The God-abiding person finds his or her sufficiency in Christ. The self-abiding person trusts only in self. The former trusts God as the source of life while the latter thinks it is in oneself to ultimately dictate life’s outcomes. Though initially they might be standing in the same physical place together (living in the same home, working in the same office, studying in the same class, etc.), the inevitable destinations couldn’t be more polarizing or further apart.

I’ve read that there is a courthouse in Ohio that stands in a unique location. Raindrops that fall on the north side of the building go into Lake Ontario and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while those falling on the south side go into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. At precisely the point of the peak of the roof, just a gentle puff of wind can determine the destiny of the raindrops. It will ultimately make a difference of more than 2,000 miles in their final destination.

We all might be starting at the same place on a calendar, but our eventual destinations this year are contingent upon one thing: What, or who, is going to be our sufficiency? Our downstream coordinates will be revealed markedly on December 31, 2020. The fruit of our lives doesn’t lie.

In Psalm 1:1, we read, “Blessed is the man” whose “delight is in the law of the Lord.” The Hebrew word esher is here translated “blessed,” which has the idea of happiness or contentment. Esher is a form of the Hebrew word ashar, which in its root means “to be straight” or “to be right”; therefore, “blessed is the man” speaks of the happiness, the blessedness, and the contentment in the life of the man or woman who is right or “straight” with God. This person finds his or her delight in the “law of the Lord”—hungering for the word of God in their daily lives.

The words of Jesus remind us that, “man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The person abiding in God’s word is like the image of the tree in Psalm 1, which nevertheless thrives even in a dry climate because of its constant water supply. It flourishes even in times of crisis. This tree bears fruit, not for itself, but for others. When the faithful prospers, it is never for self, alone, but succeeds in bringing benefit and blessing to others.

In a similar image in Jeremiah 17:8, this tree doesn’t fear when heat comes or become anxious in the year of drought, “for its leaves remain green… it does not cease to bear fruit.” In contrast, Jeremiah likens the self-abiding person as a cursed “shrub,” who “shall not see any good.” He will be alone and without resources when disaster comes. The contrast is in high definition color—one is green and flourishing, while the other is brown and withering.

What will be your disposition in 2020—the God-abiding life, or the self-abiding life?

PRAYER

Lord, your word is clear that the God-abiding person and the self-abiding person have two very distinctly different outcomes. I want my sufficiency to be found in You alone. Reveal areas of my life where self tries to assert its own way. Help me, by the presence of the Holy Spirit, to crucify the flesh and all of its desires, that I might live and flourish in the Spirit of Christ in this new year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection, Small Group or Family Discussion:

1. In Psalm 1:1-6, how are the “righteous” and the “wicked” different?
2. What does a God-abiding person do a lot? How does the psalm writer connect delight and meditation?
3. What does the image of the tree tell us about the God-abiding person?
4. What differences are implied by the references to “tree” and “chaff”? In what ways might a God-abiding person be rewarded? (Psalm 1:3-5)
5. What will you do this week to have a God-abiding disposition rather than a self-abiding one?

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The post Will You Be the Tree or the Shrub This Year? appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” —Jeremiah 15:16

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo protests to Gandalf saying, “I am not made for perilous quests. I wish I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?” Gandalf replies, “Such questions cannot be answered. You may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess; not for power or wisdom, at any rate. But you have been chosen and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.”

Like Frodo, the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah was required to walk a lonely road in his calling. It’s been said that “loneliness” is a feeling of separation, isolation, or distance in human relations. It implies emotional pain, an empty feeling, and a yearning to feel understood and accepted by someone. In this sense, Jeremiah could be considered the poster child for loneliness.

Jeremiah belonged to a priestly family, which had long been ousted from the religious and royal establishment. He was called at birth to serve as a prophet during the most tragic era of his nation’s history. He began his prophetic ministry at about 17-years of age. He grieved with great inner turmoil over his people succumbing to idolatry and dwelling in a false sense of security due to a culture of lying prophets and deceptive pastors (Jeremiah 23). On top of being ridiculed throughout his public ministry, he was forbidden of the Lord to take a wife and have children (Jeremiah 16:2).

Prophesying from the thirteenth year of Josiah’s reign (627 b.c.) until shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 b.c., Jeremiah’s 40-year ministry was marked by opponents’ attempts to silence him by means of arrests, trials, beatings, imprisonments, and even assassination plots (e.g., Jeremiah 26:10–19; 36:26; 37:11–38:6). Throughout the book, this “weeping prophet” lamented to God, questioned his calling at times, and even begged the Lord to bring down fiery judgment on his opposition (e.g., Jeremiah 11:19–20; 20:10–12). Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of his own town. Undoubtedly, he saw the flames that engulfed the walls of Jerusalem’s temple and demolished his homeland, as Nebuchadnezzar swept his people into exile.

There is nothing romantic about Jeremiah’s story—not from the world’s perspective, or even a “ministry success” model by today’s ecclesiastical standards.

As a ministry leader, Jeremiah never amassed scores of followers. He didn’t see souls repenting and lives being restored as a result of his preaching. He didn’t build a state of the art worship facility, fill it up with droves, and preach fluffy “feel good” sermons every week. The Lord called him to stand at the gate of a stubbornly idolatrous empire, confronting the countless false prophets of his day (Jeremiah 7:2, 17:19, 23:9-40, 27-29). Was Jeremiah successful? Certainly not in terms of ministry metrics used by pundits in our generation. Definitely not in terms of what many view as the “American Dream.”

Yet, Jeremiah inspires us with his faithfulness. In spite of all that he suffered, this “prophet of loneliness” never quit. His resolve to be obedient to his calling is both convicting and challenging. Jeremiah’s single pursuit in life was to listen to what God said about knowing Him (Jeremiah 9:24; cf. Philippians 3:10; John 17:3) and to act upon it, period. Not allusions about success. Not masquerades about having it all together. Not status or achievement, awards or popularity, admiration or following, just simple faithfulness and obedience to the one true God. He found strength in God’s Word and being reminded that he was “called” by the Maker of this universe (Jeremiah 15:16).

Instead of gushing over what success looks like, what if we spent more time thinking about what faithfulness looks like? Rather than focusing on all that is making us feel lonely, what if we focused more on the Faithful One, who said, “I will never leave you or forsake you”? Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

I am not what I make; I am who you have made me to be
I am not what I’ve done; I am loved unconditionally
I am not loved by the measure of love that I bring
I am not who I know; I am known by the king of all kings

Jesus, you are enough
Jesus, you are enough for me
With nothing; I still have everything
Jesus, you are enough for me

—“Enough” by Elias Dummer

PRAYER

God, like Jeremiah, you have formed each of us in the womb and given us a specific calling in life. You know the plans you have for us, and You are familiar with all the trappings in the world that make us feel lonely. You also know how to fill us up with Your presence to counter that loneliness. Teach us what it looks like to walk in faithfulness with You each day. It is in knowing you and being in fellowship with You that we find that You are truly enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection, Small Group or Family Discussion:

1. What is the biggest lie you have ever believed for a period of time?
2. How was Jeremiah treated because of the message he brought from God, and what promise did God make to him? (Jeremiah 15:10-11)
3. What did God assure Jeremiah even as He asked him to take an unpopular course? (Jeremiah 15:20-21)
4. Why do false prophets often receive more honor from their audience than faithful prophets?
5. How can you prepare yourself to discern the lying words of people who falsely claim to represent the truth? What steps could you take to prepare yourself to deliver or defend God’s Word, regardless of how it is received?

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The post Staying Faithful to God in Lonely Times appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went.” —Jeremiah 31:21

In ancient times, long before maps and GPS devices, when travelers had to traverse unknown territories they would leave behind some form of markers that would help them find their way back again. These waymarks, often in the form of roughhewn wooden posts or piles of stones, not only helped travelers retrace their steps, but they would also serve as reliable guideposts for those who were to come along after them.

In Jeremiah 31, Israel had been unfaithful to God and was falling into the hand of their enemies. For this disobedience they would be exiled from the homeland and scattered to other nations. Yet in the midst of this sad saga of defeat, God promised to one day bring the people back to their land. As they were being exiled they were instructed to set up “guideposts” along the way to point the way back home (Jeremiah 31:21).

This passage reveals the goodness of our heavenly Father—for in the same breath that He speaks punishment for Israel’s transgressions He is also speaking restoration for their future. God’s discipline attests to His love: “For the Lord disciplines those He loves” (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6). His discipline always includes a process of correction and restoration.

In this context God is telling Israel that their punishment for backsliding is not the end of the story. God always has a return plan—even when we’ve been sent to a bitter place of correction. This future return trip—the way back home—was something the tribes were told to “consider well.” Jeremiah pictured a clear road with signposts that would guide Israel back to their first love—a restored relationship with their Covenant God.

These words are a call to Israel to prepare for their return. No matter how far we have wandered in our backslidings, the kindness of God calls us to prepare our hearts for a return. This is what the Bible refers to as repentance.

Today guideposts are also used to warn travelers of dangerous terrain, such as mountainous roads with steep drop-offs. They are put there to protect a person from going off the road and getting into danger. As Bible believing Christ-followers, we also have a responsibility to set up guideposts for those around us or those coming along behind us, to help keep them from wandering off the path to God.

I read a story of a man who came across a swollen, raging river that with great difficulty he was at last able to cross. When he reached the other side another fellow was surprised to see him begin to gather and chop sturdy wood and saw that he was constructing a bridge. The surprised fellow asked him, “Why build a bridge now? You are safely over.” The man replied, “My son will be following along behind me. The bridge is for him.”

It’s encouraging to remember that God “guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3), and that His discipline always leads to restoration. Additionally, it is no small responsibility on our part to set up guardrails for the next generation and guideposts for our children. Perhaps this weight of responsibility is what prompted the psalmist to declare: “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

What guardrails can you set up to keep your heart from wandering away from God? What guideposts can you create to help others make the journey home to God? Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

God, thank you for guiding me in the paths of your righteousness. Even when my heart has wandered, you have always disciplined me with a restoration in mind. Help me to faithfully set up guideposts in my life that show others the path to Jesus. May these waymarks be a witness to those around me and to the next generation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection and/or Family Discussion:

1. What is your favorite story about getting lost?
2. Why do you think God disciplines those whom He loves?
3. When has God’s discipline led to reproof and restoration in your life?
4. What kinds of guideposts have brought you back to God when your heart has wandered?
5. In what ways can you create guideposts that help others find the path to Jesus?

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The post Guideposts for Wandering Souls appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” —Ephesians 4:29 NIV

Winston Churchill understood the power of words. In the film Darkest Hour, it was said “he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”

Words have the power of death and life (Proverbs 18:21). When I was a child, my biological father used a multiplicity of denigrating words to bring death—sabotaging my sense of worth and vandalizing my self-esteem. Then when I was sixteen years old, God redemptively and providentially gave me a mentor who became a quintessential spiritual father. This man spoke words of life and healing into my soul, believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. It changed the trajectory of my life.

Child psychologists have asserted that for kids to become resilient, they need six to seven positive words for every negative one spoken over them. One of the tools we’ve used in serving at-risk young people in juvenile centers and our summer camps is what we call The Edification Chair. When a child sits in the edification chair, everyone else in the room takes turns saying something positive about that person. It’s amazing how quickly this exercise can change the demeanor of a child when he or she hears words of encouragement and affirmation. It also reminds me how much kids in this generation are starved for edification.

I don’t know what kind of upbringing the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah had (other than he apparently was raised in a priestly home), but he seemed to need a great measure of edification throughout his lifetime. In the first chapter of Jeremiah, God tells this young prophet that the divine purposes and plans for his life started well before birth: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). Isn’t it awesome to know that we existed in God’s mind long before we ever existed in our mother’s womb?!

This revelation wasn’t given merely to pump Jeremiah up in his own self-esteem, but to align him with God’s pre-ordained plan. Jeremiah’s response was rooted in inadequacy: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to him, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth—the instrument God would use more than any other tool in his lifetime. (Jeremiah 1:6-9)

We can infer that Jeremiah felt insecure. He had reasons to be afraid. He was young, people in his generation were calloused to the word of God, and his ministry assignments would often feel more like trench warfare than Sunday potlucks after church. As G. Campbell Morgan said, “He shrank from his work again and again; he suffered intensely, not merely from the persecution of his foes, but in his own soul, in it fellowship with God and with his nation; he needed very special Divine sustenance.”

Yet God spoke words of encouragement and affirmation saying, “I have made you this day a fortified city” and reminded him that he would never go alone (Jeremiah 1:17-19). God gave Jeremiah the strength he needed—but he had to walk in it. He had to “dress himself” for the work ahead. If he did not—if he allowed himself to “be dismayed before their faces”—then God would dismay Jeremiah before those whom he feared. He may not have felt like a “fortified city” or an “iron pillar,” but God’s words “I am with you” conquered his inner struggles.

I love how Derek Kidner summarizes Jeremiah’s life and ministry: “To this thin-skinned young man, his description of terms of battlements and heavy metal might have seemed a wild exaggeration, but in fact it proved an understatement. He would hold out against all comers for over forty years, outdoing any fortress under siege.”

God’s word can instill a superhero-like faith in the most inexperienced soldiers or even those battle-fatigued warriors. It’s what made the psalmist say: “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God’s words are true. They bring life. Healing. Realignment. They instill a confidence of purpose, direction, and vision. Concerning the power of words, Paul told the believers in Ephesus: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

It’s important that we are not only built up in the word of God, but that we are actively building others up as well—speaking edification into their lives. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the true reality of my existence. I am not here by accident. You were thinking about me before the foundations of this world ever existed. You had me in mind before I was in my mother’s womb. How awesome are your thoughts! Daily realign me with your will, and in times of insecurity may I lean into your grace for strength and affirmation. May you always use my mouth as an instrument to build others up according to their needs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection and/or Family Discussion:

1. When have you been assigned to a task for which you felt totally unqualified?
2. Where have you seen the power of words at work in both positive and negative ways?
3. By what action did God transform Jeremiah into His mouthpiece? (v.9)
4. When we share the gospel with others, whose words do we speak?
5. Where can you speak words of life to those around you this week?

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The post Edification and The Power of Words appeared first on Jimmy Larche.