Jeremiah 10 - 13 (10th August) - Sylvia

Jeremiah 10

God and Idols

"Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them. For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel
They adorn it with silver and gold: they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good." v2-7

God's word is so clear - not to look to false idols and worship them, even being superstitious to the point of seeing things in the sky and taking them to be signs?

How many of us often read those astronomy and horoscopes, that will predict how our day/week/month will be like?

God says not to believe in these kind of false idols. They are after all MAN-made, they can neither speak nor move. Let's not wait until we bear the brunt of God's wrath before regretting and repenting.

Jeremiah's Prayer

We have heard of Jabez prayer where its about blessings for ourselves.
"Oh Lord, .... bless me, enlarge my territory, ... Your hand be over me.. keep me from harm"

Jeremiah's Prayer is a tad different. Its more like a prayer of repentance, also pleading with God to punish the people and nations who have turned away from Him.

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with justice - not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland." v23-25

Jeremiah 11

The Covenant is Broken
Any covenant that we make with God is very serious. Its a promise we make in God's holy presence. We should never break any promises that we make with Him.

See what the Lord says to the people who break their covenant with Him,

"Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of the covenant - the terms I commanded your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey - the land that you possess today."

To be cursed by His Highest Himself is such a disaster, so scary. I wouldn't want that to happen to me or my loved ones.

Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah's Complaint / God's Answer
Jeremiah complains to God about to why the wicked prosper and seem to live comfortably, even as they do not have God in thier hearts.
God then replies if jeremiah competes with people of same or lowers standard then he is, if he remains in a comfortable position, how will he be able to handle and manage the deceitful and tough challenges that will come his way.

The hardships that we go through are God's way of moulding us, for more challenges that will come our way, so that we will be tough and ready for battle!

Jeremiah 13

A Linen Belt

Our God is so amazing. He can use a simple item like a linen belt to show His plans.
A new linen belt is clean and untouched by impurities. However, when it gets exposed to the dirty elements in a filthy environment, it becomes ruined and useless.

Same how it applies to us, we become worthless and completely useless when we do not walk in God's ways and instead turn to worship other gods.