Day 101 – A Challenge To Overcome
Jeremiah 1:17-19 “Now, gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will dismay you before them. Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the Lord.
Story: Now it gets real for Jeremiah. He has to be God’s prophet, to stand up in front of people and say God’s Word. And what God gives Jeremiah to say is judgment is coming on Jerusalem by an invading force because God’s people have forsaken God and worshipped the works of their own hands (v. 14-16). No easing Jeremiah into his role; no cupcake scrimmage to build confidence. Instead, God challenges Jeremiah to speak all that is commanded, having more fear and panic over what God will do than what his audience will do. Yet, God is also gracious and helpful to Jeremiah, reinforcing him with what I call a holy stubbornness so that God’s people can’t break through. And the repetition of His promise from 1:8 to be with Jeremiah to deliver Jeremiah.
My Prayer Response: Father, sometimes, You put us in scary positions, places and opportunities where we would rather be anywhere else. But You do this to both challenge us to obey You, and to invite us to know You more deeply. Because, You will provide and be present with us in that fearful, anxious moment. If I want to know You more, I must be willing to trust You, no matter what You give me to do or to say. You know my heart and my fears. But the desire to know You closely far outweighs the fears of what may come. Take my life and let it be consecrated for all that You want me to be.
May you have more fear of the LORD than of other people today!
Day 102 – How The Waves Fear God
Jeremiah 5:21-24 “Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes but do not see; Who have ears but do not hear. Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; They have turned aside and departed. They do not say in their heart, ‘Let us now fear the Lord our God, Who gives rain in its season, Both the autumn rain and the spring rain, Who keeps for us The appointed weeks of the harvest.’”
Story: I love being at the ocean, one of them being the picture that Jeremiah uses in verse 22. The waves comes crashing in – loud, powerful, energetic. And yet, by the time they come to my feet, the wave is low, gentle, just about spent. Our God controls each wave, giving it a boundary it cannot cross. But what about God’s people? Judah has seen God’s judgment on Israel, their northern neighbor, for their sinful behavior. But instead of a fear, awe, and trembling before the LORD in obedience, they continue to cross the line into doing whatever they want to do. Thus, the God who controls the waves also controls the rain – and withholds it while Judah chases after Baal, the supposed god of rain. Truly, Judah is foolish, senseless, rebellious.
My Prayer Response: Father, You are God of little things, like controlling each wave, each beach, each day. If these powerful waves know to fear You and stay within the limits You give, how much more must I? Temptation says that freedom is found crossing Your boundaries, but in Christ, freedom truly is within obeying Your Word. I cry out for my community, state and nation. For we are crossing Your boundaries, and celebrating these. You are withholding Your blessings, but we chase even more determined after our false gods. Please, open our eyes so that we would repent! Continue to raise up Jeremiahs – men who will boldly speak Your Word of salvation.
May you walk today in the freedom of your God-given boundaries!
Day 103 – There is none like You, O LORD
Jeremiah 10:5-7 “Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, For they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good.” There is none like You, O Lord; You are great, and great is Your name in might. Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Your due! For among all the wise men of the nations And in all their kingdoms, There is none like You.
Story: That opening line gets my attention, ‘Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field!’ So are these false gods. They cannot walk, speak. You have to prop them up for them to be vertical. They require so much care, and are they even effective? So God’s people should not fear the false gods, though they are propped up with much pomp and circumstance. They cannot do anything, good or bad. In light of the folly of the false gods (v. 1-5), Jeremiah praises the one true God in v. 6-7. ‘There is none like You’ opens and closes His praise, and indeed, there is no god similar or like our God! He is great: He is powerful! He is above all kings, rulers, and wise men!
My Prayer Response: Father, You are not a scarecrow! You are actively and powerfully working. Truly, there is none like You! Help us to see how great You are this day, in big and little ways. Remind us of Your power, Your control, and Your wisdom. Let us not be like birds, fearful of the unmoving scarecrow, but let us fear the living and powerful God!
May you praise God today for His power and greatness!
Day 104 – A Picture of Trusting in the LORD
Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.
Story: This picture puts me at peace. I think of resting under this green tree, a gentle creek flowing by. Time seems to slow down, if not disappear. There is no fear, anxiety, or worry here; all is taken care of and all is as it should be. To trust in myself brings the opposite scenario (17:5-6): a thornbush in the hot, dry desert. I don’t want to stay put there; I’m very uncomfortable and want to get out now! Looking at these two contrasting pictures, I’m motivated to trust in the LORD. And to keep trusting in the LORD.
My Prayer Response: Father, I want this verse for myself, my family, my church. Help us when life isn’t simple and easy – when it seems more hot desert than restful shade. You will provide; You will bless; You will make us fruitful. I cast onto You my worries, burdens and fears. You care for me, and I trust in You!
May you not cease to yield fruit as you trust in the LORD!
Day 105 – Courage for Good Leadership
Jeremiah 23:4 “I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
Story: When I think of shepherds, what quickly comes to my mind is patience and bad smells. But I’m realizing that courage is part of being a shepherd. Sheep, like other animals, pick up on fear, especially in their shepherd. A fearful shepherd will have a panicked and scattered flock. Through Jeremiah, God speaks to Judah about the rulers or shepherds (shepherd was a description widely used in ancient times of kings and other political leaders). Through bad shepherds/rulers/leaders, Judah was scattered and hurt (v. 1-2). But God cares for His people and so will provide good shepherds/rulers/leaders to care for His people, protect them, and bring them back together. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, even laying down His life for the sheep (John 10:11-15). God promises Jesus, the righteous branch, in v. 5-6.
My Prayer Response: Father, the courage in leadership comes from Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Because He is at my right hand, I will not fear. Taking care of Your people isn’t always super easy – though not as smelly as real sheep! But successful shepherding/leadership is being like the Good Shepherd. So once again, I plead that You would make me more like Jesus – for my growth, for the care of my family and Your people, and for Your Name’s sake!
May you know and delight in Jesus as your good shepherd!