OCTOBER 4 READINGS…JEREMIAH 19-22 & HEBREWS 4
I find it curious that much of our view of the Old Testament, and the prophets, has been glamorized. We picture the Old Testament prophets walking a foot above the ground, and being revered by everyone waiting to hear their proclamations. Noting could be further from the truth. There was nothing glamorous about being a prophet of God. They were rejected, imprisoned, beaten, and killed for the words they spoke. Their hearts were after God, and they genuinely cared for the people. How hard it must have been to speak truth to a people who had no desire to hear it. The people would listen to the false prophets, while reject the genuine prophets of God. Not much has changed today. The masses will always go after the false…only those who desire truth will follow those who are teaching the truth. The desire of most people is whether the message makes them comfortable, and feel good about themselves. Jeremiah’s message stood in stark contrast to the behavior of the people of Judah…and our message today must stand in stark contrast to the spirit of this age. There is something desperately wrong with any pastor who encourages his people to live like the world, or who waters down Scripture so that people feel good about their sin. Hebrews reminds us that as we walk through this stressful, godless world and it’s system, we have a place of rest…Jesus. Jesus is our Sabbath rest…not just for one day a week, but always.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…JEREMIAH 23-24 & PSALM 110 & HEBREWS 5