Builders and bullies

Today: Jeremiah 18-22

What are you building?

You may think this is a bizarre question if you're not handy with tools (personally, I haven't ever built anything...unless you count a gingerbread house). But I assure you--this question applies to us.

Every day we're building something--perhaps we're building the people around us, businesses, churches, savings, political causes, knowledge--you name it. Building any of these things can be positive, but as we've discussed in other posts, order matters to God.

In today's passage, He continued His discussion with Jeremiah and the people of Israel about their bad behavior. Let's review God's words here:

Doom to him who builds palaces but bullies people,

who makes a fine house but destroys lives,

Who cheats his workers and won't pay them for their work,

Who says, 'I'll build me an elaborate mansion with spacious rooms and fancy windows.

I'll bring in rare and expensive woods and the latest in interior decor.'

So, that makes you a king—living in a fancy palace?

Your father got along just fine, didn't he?

He did what was right and treated people fairly,

And things went well with him.

He stuck up for the down-and-out,

And things went well for Judah.

Isn't this what it means to know me?"

God's Decree!"

But you're blind and brainless.

All you think about is yourself,

Taking advantage of the weak,

bulldozing your way, bullying victims."

Yikes--these people seriously messed up. They thought they were building wealth and financial security, but they were doing it in a way that bulldozed over something much more important--other people.

It's important to point out that in this passage, God doesn't necessarily criticize wealth. When He talks about past leaders who lived correctly and treated people fairly, He said, "And things went well with him." I don't think God would have necessarily made that blanket statement about leaders who struggled financially, dealt with constant conflict, etc. Other parts of the Bible point to leaders God loved and blessed who were extremely wealthy (e.g. David, Solomon, Abraham).

However, when we are driven by greed and a self-promoting thirst for wealth or power, it's out of line with God's order. We become bullies--builders of own designs instead of building according to God's plans.

Consider what you're building, the order you're following and your motivation. If it's out of whack, the solution is simple: Go after God first with all you've got. The other stuff can follow that (see Matthew 6:33).

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 23-25

Words, relevance and the heart

Today: Jeremiah 14-17

There's often a fine line between trying to be relevant...and actually being authentic. The worst situations often arise when were are dishonest in how we present ourselves--or even God--to gain some popularity with people.

This has always been a challenge for God's people. In today's passage, we read about church leaders who ignored the truth of God's Word to present messages that pleased some pretty messed-up people. Let's review God's instruction here:

Use words truly and well.

Don't stoop to cheap whining.

Then, but only then, you'll speak for me.

Let your words change them.

Don't change your words to suit them.

I love this. It's a challenge for every Christian and especially for leaders to use wisdom and love--but to never lose sight of the truth of God's Word. It is possible to be both relevant and have some favor with people (see Jesus' example)--but our top priorities should not be to please others or to be trendy--our main mission is to honor God and obey what He says (also see Jesus' example).

God's message is not always in style with everyone. I've found that when people try to water down Scripture, it doesn't end up doing anything extraordinary. Feel-good messages from twisted Scriptures sound nice, but they sound just like self-help books. Is God's Word full of love, grace and mercy? Absolutely! But the Bible isn't compared to a sword for nothing--it's powerful. It pierces hearts and changes lives. The Bible doesn't cater to people--it challenges them.

Much of today's passage focused on God's assessment of the wickedness of His people--they deliberately disobeyed Him and turned their backs on His love. However, I found it refreshing to see God's words of blessing for those who honored Him:

But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,

the woman who sticks with God.

They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—

Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf,

Serene and calm through droughts,

bearing fresh fruit every season.

The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,

a puzzle that no one can figure out.

But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind.

I get to the heart of the human.

I get to the root of things.

I treat them as they really are,

not as they pretend to be."

In this section, God characterized blessed people as those who trust in Him, stay grounded and at peace, and are continually growing and productive. I also love the end of this excerpt--God sees our hearts and not just our words. He wants people to authentically love Him, free of pretension and show. Just real, honest love and living.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 18-22

Lopsided love

Today: Jeremiah 10-13

Lopsided love is rare in fairy tales--the prince doesn't ever seem to choose the mousy, chubby chick and the princess doesn't pick the servant guy who is tall and thin like a string bean. In teen flicks, the football star doesn't choose the band geek and the cheerleader doesn't ever seem to fall for the captain of the debate team.

Why is that?!?

I often wonder if it's because a lot of people tend to keep score in relationships. We think things like, "I'm not financially stable enough to date that girl--she wouldn't fall for someone like me" or "That guy is REALLY cute--he wouldn't go for a girl over a size 3"...even when these concepts might not be true.

While the examples I've given above are all related to external factors like social labels and appearance, lopsided love is also rare because of internal reasons. The really sweet, kind guy typically doesn't fall in love with an abrasive woman...and maintain a healthy relationship. Happy marriages aren't typically found between couples where one readily admits, "I kinda love you--but not as much as you love me."

Can love be lopsided--and work?

In today's passage, this excerpt from God's message to His people stood out to me:

'Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you.

Your obedience will close the deal.

You'll be mine and I'll be yours.

This will provide the conditions in which I will be able to do

what I promised your ancestors:

to give them a fertile and lush land.

And, as you know, that's what I did.'"

The bold text got me, "You'll be mine and I'll be yours." It sounds like part of the wedding vows--but it's God proposing this exchange to His people back during Old Testament times and today, too.

It's like He's saying, "You give me your last penny and I'll give you all the bazillions I have. Okay?" Like that's a fair trade!!!

God wants our obedience. He wants all of our hearts. But all of our hearts don't even come CLOSE to all of His heart--and that's what He's offering! Unbelievable.

God's love for us is completely lopsided. It's over-the-top, indescribable, insanely beautiful...but true.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 14-17

God's trademarks

Today: Jeremiah 7-9

I thought it would be good today to focus on God's Message at the end of this passage--a section where He reveals what He calls His trademarks. Take a look:

God's Message:
"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.

Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.

Don't let the rich brag of their riches.

If you brag, brag of this and this only:

That you understand and know me.

I'm God, and I act in loyal love.

I do what's right and set things right and fair,

and delight in those who do the same things.

These are my trademarks."

God's Decree.

Blessings at a distance

Today: Jeremiah 4-6

I'll be honest: In today's chapters, God is NOT happy with His people. They've turned away from Him and are blind to His goodness. Check out what He said here:

It never occurs to them to say,

'How can we honor our God with our lives,

The God who gives rain in both spring and autumn

and maintains the rhythm of the seasons,

Who sets aside time each year for harvest

and keeps everything running smoothly for us?'

Of course you don't!

Your bad behavior blinds you to all this.

Your sins keep my blessings at a distance...

Whoa. It's interesting that God hadn't stopped blessing His people--they just didn't recognize the blessings or fully experience them.

How can you and I make sure that we're not blocking ourselves from God or His blessings? The answer's in this passage, too. We have to first ask for His forgiveness--and then choose to submit to His leadership, asking, "How can we honor God with our lives?" That sounds simple, but it requires a heart of humility, love and perseverance--to continually desire God and pursue the purpose He has for you.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 7-9

The comeback kid

Today: Jeremiah 1-3

Have you ever known people who suddenly disappear?

I'm not talking about assistants in a magic act. I'm not referring to kids on milk cartons or the evening news. I'm talking about people who suddenly disappear...from work, from socializing with good friends or most likely, from church.

There are people who overnight seem to switch personalities--one day, they are the reliable church volunteer, attending services every weekend. And then they suddenly disappear...sometimes, forever. Why does that happen?

In today's passage, God talked with Jeremiah about runaway people--people who tried to runaway from God and chose to pursue false gods, sin, religion and sex. God actually referred to these people as "whores"--trading truth and a real God who loved them for cheap thrills. Some of these people may have been literally whoring with sex outside its God-designed plan (marriage), but some people turn tricks for other things--work, power, money, drugs, food...you name it. Whoring happens when we turn our backs on God and devote our hearts, minds and souls to other things.

Many of the disappearing people I referred to at the beginning of this post disappear because of guilt or shame. They may realize that their pursuits were wrong, but don't want to face God or the people they disappointed. But I don't think God is ever disappointed with people who genuinely admit their failure, ask for forgiveness and aim to change for the better. Take a look at this message God gave to the people of Israel:

'Turn back, fickle Israel.

I'm not just hanging back to punish you.

I'm committed in love to you.

My anger doesn't seethe nonstop.

Just admit your guilt.

Admit your God-defiance.

Admit to your promiscuous life with casual partners,

pulling strangers into the sex-and-religion groves

While turning a deaf ear to me.'"

God's Decree.

"Come back, wandering children!"

God's Decree.

It sounds so simple. But when God forgives, He completely forgets. Because of Christ's sacrifice and His grace, when we ask for forgiveness, God not only grants it--but sees us as if we never messed up in the first place. This means that there's absolutely no reason for God's people to constantly live in fear, guilt or shame. Wow.

Here's what happened when God forgave Israel:

...And this is what will happen:

You will increase and prosper in the land.

The time will come"—

God's Decree!—

"when no one will say any longer,

'Oh, for the good old days!

Remember the Ark of the Covenant?'

It won't even occur to anyone to say it—'the good old days.'

The so-called good old days of the Ark are gone for good.
"Jerusalem will be the new Ark—'God's Throne.'

All the godless nations, no longer stuck in the ruts of their evil ways,

will gather there to honor God.

Good, right? This excerpt is basically saying that after God's forgiveness, none of His people would talk about "the good old days"...because they would experience some new AMAZING days. His forgiveness freshens up our lives so that we forget about past failures and move ahead toward brighter futures. That's extreme grace. Instead of disappearing, you and I can become comeback kids. And who doesn't love a story about redemption and restoration?

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 4-6

I'm still here...

Today: Isaiah 64-66

Have you ever felt invisible? Overlooked? Forgotten?

These aren't the best feelings in the world, but I think it's interesting that God has experienced that feeling, too. In today's passage, there's a section where God addressed His people and reflected on how some treated Him:

I'm here, ready to be found

by those who haven't bothered to look.

I kept saying 'I'm here, I'm right here'

to a nation that ignored me.

I reached out day after day

to a people who turned their backs on me,

People who make wrong turns,

who insist on doing things their own way...

Yikes! Isn't that interesting? The Creator of the Universe, the all-powerful, all-knowing God...somehow goes unnoticed?

People often say things like, "God just feels really distant right now" or "I haven't felt His presence lately." The truth? God is always there for us--we just might not see Him in front of our noses...or we've put up barriers between ourselves and Him.

God's still here. He's still reaching out for you and for me. He's ready to be found.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 1-3