I want to remind everyone that I am using the Old Testament to point out what happens to people and nations when we do not repent of our sins and come to the LORD. I’m not preaching doom and gloom, because our job as sons of God is the ministry of reconciliation. We are saved by Grace and we are to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world so that they too can also reconcile with God. We don’t have to be like the people of Judah and Jerusalem during the times of Jeremiah. God has given us liberty from sin through the blood of His precious Son. Freely we have received, freely we give to all. Our lives are to be ensamples, that is why I say we don’t only preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; we live it out. Here are a few Biblical passages pointing out what I am saying, I suggest you read both chapters in full. Philippians 2:12&13 says-” Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (This passage doesn’t mean that you earn salvation. But that we must take seriously and to heart our service to the LORD. Remember where I wrote about the goodness of God leading us to repentance? Well, we can take part in His goodness not only in our own lives, but also in the lives of others. We can’t earn our salvation, but out of gratitude we should tell others of our LORD Jesus Christ and His Amazing Grace. Even if we have to suffer for it, because He did that for us.
I Thessalonians 1:5-7 says-“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”
I do want to continue to show you what happens when we not only do not repent, but we actually harden our hearts to God and His ways. The people of Jerusalem were trusting in the blessings of the covenant while ignoring the curses of the covenant. (Note: Read Galatians 3:10-13. Know that the LORD Jesus Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law. We are made free by His Grace. So don’t try to play games, live for Him who hath saved you.) It was much like some of today’s Christians, who believe having their little Jesus statue or even saying “magic words” such as ” Jesus loves me” somehow makes them immune from God’s judgments when they behave in the most ungodly ways. It’s like they tell themselves. ” Trouble is coming, so let me pull God out of my pocket and rebuke the enemy, and then I’ll just put God away, as I can’t have Him interrupting the good times!” This is what was happening in Jerusalem. God knew the hearts of His people then and knows our hearts today also. He wanted His people to properly execute judgment; not oppressing the stranger, fatherless, or widow; not shedding innocent blood; and not walking after other gods. We can act and talk like the sons of God, but when we are put in times of decisions to suffer for righteousness’s sake, are you going to continue? Or are you going to back down? Jeremiah informed us that knowing God involves exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, because that is what pleases God. Yes, we should want justice to be served but I would like everyone to know that we should not want revenge for that is the Lord’s and only His. And He is a jealous God, so give Him what is His. Your whole life for that matter…
What separates Jeremiah from most of the other prophets in his time? He was a true prophet of God. Actually, what separates a true prophet from a false one? I want you to be able to tell the difference between false prophets and true prophets. One way is if the prophet is ready to pay a personal price for what he shares versus one who only prophesies what people want to hear. Another is that the true prophet must love the people and consider himself to be merely ” a divine emissary whose role is to help redeem the people” and not to condemn. And that means to everyone, not just who you want to, but also the one that mistreats you and even your enemy.
“O that love of Jesus who saved me, O Lord Jesus please help me to be like You.”
God is always looking for righteous people and intercessors, those who understand His heart. We must remember it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. The wrath of God is not meant to lead us to repentance but to bring justice.
God will always warn before He brings judgment. He is never willing that any should perish, and He loves showing mercy whenever we are willing to change our evil ways. But God will never override our free will. So don’t expect when you speak the truth and tell people to repent of their evil ways and turn to the LORD, that they will. But we shouldn’t have hate in our lives if they turn on us and persecute and abuse us. We must be willing to show them Grace as our LORD Jesus did for us. It is impossible to do with your own power, but we don’t have to. Thank the LORD for that.
At one point in time, the LORD tells Jeremiah to start running to and fro throughout the streets of Jerusalem to see if he could find anyone who executed judgment and sought the truth. If he did, God would pardon Jerusalem. God is doing this right now in the whole world. Are there any who will stand for righteousness and speak truth? Are there any who will not only preach the Gospel, but live it out, willing to die to tell others of Jesus? Philippians 1:28-30 says-” And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
There are so many Biblical passages pointing us to not only preach and speak the Gospel, but to live it out. That is what makes people at least take a peak or listen in. I’ll let you find those passages, really just read the whole New Testament…
And seeing that the people of God didn’t do what He said, He proclaimed that they were going to get a special liberty- one to the sword, to pestilence, to famine, and they would be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. Yes, this was to the people of Judah, I know that. But don’t forget that God is the One who raises up and puts down nations. Think of the nations that have persecuted the Jewish people throughout history. Where are they now?
Now getting back to Jeremiah and his difficult situation. The Word of the LORD came a second time to him while he was shut up in the court of the prison, telling him to call on the LORD and He would show him great and mighty things that he didn’t know. I myself ask the LORD: ” When in the world are You ever going to get me out of here? So, in ways I can relate to Jeremiah, although I know it doesn’t compare to what he went through. And I keep on believing that the LORD will do great and mighty things as He has done so many times for His people. Why would He do it for me? Because I am His son and my life is to glorify and honor Him but don’t forget He also will do it for His name’s sake and because He loves His children. His Word will not pass away, He will complete it…
After Jeremiah sees the destruction of Jerusalem and his people. He writes the book of Lamentations. Jeremiah recalled to mind that it was because of the Lord’s mercies that they were not completely consumed. Because His compassions do not fail, Jeremiah still had hope. He knew God’s mercies are new every morning and He is faithful! He recalled that the Lord is always good to those who wait for Him and seek Him. Jeremiah reminds us that we should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. This is amazing to me- after all he had been through, Jeremiah cast all his care upon the LORD because he knew that God truly cared for him. It all came down to attitude.
I myself am always praying that God gives me the attitude that Jeremiah had at this time. (Note: I will go more into depth on the attitude topic in another Newsletter real soon.)
Here is a question, how do we perceive God from the very depth of our hearts? Do we really believe He is out for our good, or is He just trying to make our lives miserable? Many ask others if they believe in God. The phrase is better asked when the word believe is more truly rendered as trust. The real question is, do you trust in God?
Know that God is looking for the one that He can trust in! A man or woman after His own heart. It’s so much more than whether you trust God; it’s also whether He can trust you to do His will.
No wonder why Jesus said, when He returns, will He find any living by faith? Luke 18:8 says-“I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
The church today is basically just as lawless as the people of God were 2,500 years ago. Like Jeremiah, many of God’s servants feel alone, with their voices being shut down not only in the political world or at their jobs but also in the church as they cry out prophetically for true repentance and a return to God. As believers, now more than ever, we need to plug in where the truth is being taught and not be caught up with all the false prophetic voices preaching a false peace and saying all is well while we are lulled to sleep. Wake up people!!! Too many pastors have become life coaches instead of fathers teaching us the responsibilities of living close to the Messiah. They are more like death coaches, teaching that the Bible is all about us rather than how to draw near to God. God is looking for people He can trust to pour out His Spirit upon in these last days. He looks for people who are selfless, humble and not in it for any fame, fortune, or power but want to see Him, not themselves, magnified. God is looking for warriors who realize their only interest is in advancing His Kingdom by storming the gates of hell and setting His sons and daughters free from the clutches of the greatest narcissist of all times.
Every believer in the LORD Jesus Christ is called to fight, fight, fight for the saving of souls. As He suffered, died and was resurrected to save us and give us eternal life. We also are called to die to ourselves and take this message of the Gospel to the whole world, with that sacrificial attitude. The world will then see the Spirit of the living God in our lives and we will draw them to the Saviour, who alone can save them.
I want to leave you with a few verses that have helped me press on lately in the work of God. I know at times we will be scared at what will come against us, it will seem to be just too much to face. You must remember 2 Timothy 1:7-9 says-
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our LORD, nor of me his prisoner: but he thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
Amen, Amen and Amen!!!
I hope this Newsletter not only touched your heart, but encourages all believers to stand for the truth no matter what, and to spread the Gospel far and wide, come what may. I want to thank everyone for your prayers and support, may God bless you all. Also, a special thank you to my brother Mark Biltz for his book, it helped me so much with this Newsletter. We have never met, my brother, but the same Spirit works through you and me. God bless you
Jonathan David
A servant of the LORD
Leave a Reply