Jeremiah 14 - 17 (11th August) - Stephanie

In Jeremiah 14, the Lord continues to talk about the sins of Judah. Jeremiah continues to intercede and plead for the people. But God is firm and says this, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.” The Lord also warns that lying prophets will perish by sword and famine because they had been prophesying in His name, saying that “No sword or famine will touch this land,” when the Lord had not sent them.

In Jeremiah 15, we see the Lord continuing to be firm on His judgment. There is even the mention of the Lord saying this, “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people.” Jeremiah, however, receives a promise for himself i.e. the Lord will save Jeremiah from the hands of the wicked and redeem him from the grasp of the cruel despite of His judgment on the people of this land.

In Jeremiah 16, the Lord tells Jeremiah not to marry or have children, not to mourn or show sympathy at the houses where funerals are being held because the people born in this land will die of deadly diseases and because the Lord has withdrawn His blessing, love and pity from the people.

The gist of Jeremiah 17 seems to be in these verses - “Cursed in the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (v5) "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (v7-8)

Let’s just take a moment to ponder upon some questions: -
• Are there any “drought conditions” that you may be facing today?
• Do you find it easier to trust someone or something else besides God to see you through these “drought conditions”?

Respond to the Lord in prayer and surrender these “drought conditions” to Him. Renew your trust in the Lord and ask that His “living water” refresh you. Pray for yourself that you will be that tree that does not fear heat, whose leaves are forever green. Because only then, you need not have to worry, for you will know that despite any seasonal changes, be it drought or famine, you will continue to grow, prosper and be fruitful in your due season. (also read Psalm 1:1-3)

And finally, do remember and note that it is important to keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it i.e. also to say that praising, worshiping, learning about God and having fellowship with your spiritual family at Sunday service is important and should always be an item-to-do on your weekly priority list.