Warning signs and cautious grace

Today: Jeremiah 38-41

I will admit--I am one of those people who will tell you when you have broccoli in your teeth (as discretely as possible, of course!). I will step on the toilet paper that's stuck to the bottom of your shoe so that you stop dragging it along. I will give these warning signs because I would want you to do the same for me.

Broccoli and TP are relatively simple things to warn people about. Others aren't so straightforward.

In today's passage, I noticed that there were a few people who gave and received warning signs. Throughout much of this book, Jeremiah has been warning God's people about coming consequences for their desertion of God's ways. In this passage, Jeremiah is literally taken from the dungeon to the palace...and ended up in both places because of forewarning God's people. He felt compelled to deliver the truth, when it was despised--and eventually, telling the truth was rewarded.

In another part of the passage, a man named Gedaliah was given a warning that a guy named Ishmael was out to kill him. Instead of killing Ishmael prematurely--when given the opportunity--Gedaliah didn't do anything. After another man gave him a warning sign and offered to kill Ishmael, Gedaliah said, "Don't do it. I forbid it. You're spreading a false rumor about Ishmael." He was a foreigner placed in charge of the poorest of the poor in Israel. And he treated them well, giving them the freedom to care for their land.

These stories and their implications about warning signs are interesting to me. The moral of Jeremiah's story seems clear-cut: Tell the truth no matter what. When you're compelled by God to speak, do it.

The moral of Gedaliah's story? To be honest, it wasn't clear to me at first. Should Gedaliah have heeded the warning? Should he have fortfied the city or gone into hiding? Perhaps. However, I admire his heart--Gedaliah seems like a guy who tried to believe the best about others. He didn't want to kill someone based on a rumor. And in my book, it's better to be a little hope-filled and naive than a judgmental murderer.

Perhaps I'm raising more questions than providing answers in this post. The implications for giving warning signs seem relatively clear from Jeremiah's example, but the implications for receiving warning signs may be a bit muddy. Here are some questions that have helped me accept and reject warning signs...or heed them with cautious grace:

• Is the warning sign you're getting consistent with God's Word?
  
• Is the warning sign consistent with the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart? (I realize that may seem like an odd question for some readers, but it's a very important one for those who will get it.)
  
• Is the warning sign consistent with the gut check of your conscience?
  
• Do you have an option to proceed with a "cautious grace" approach? (For example, in the case of Gedaliah, a cautious grace solution could have been to prepare for an attack, but not to proactively kill Ishmael.)
  
• Is the warning sign based on solid facts or evidence--not just rumors or feelings?

At any time--whether you're giving or receiving some warning signs--prayer is the best first choice. God promises to give wisdom to those who honestly ask for it. Sometimes we just need to request wisdom and then actually look for answers.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 42-45

The Book that burns

Today: Jeremiah 35-37

A few weeks ago I watched the movie "The Book of Eli" for the first time. In a post-apocalyptic world, the lead character (played by Denzel Washington) is fighting for survival and aiming to protect the Book that sustains him everyday--the world's last copy of the Bible.

I'm not going to give away the movie, but I will say that because of the Book and its power, Denzel's character is on the run. His nemesis wants to find the Book and keep it for himself--or destroy it. He knows the Book can revolutionize people's lives and bring them freedom--and Denzel's rival wants to be in control.

"The Book of Eli" is a fictional movie, but I was surprised to see some strong resemblances to today's passage. Jeremiah brings the Word of God to His people via a scroll transcribed by a guy named Baruch. Baruch reads God's Message in the Temple. When the king hears it, he orders that it be burned. Burned.

This part of the story--and "The Book of Eli" parallels--once again made me realize just how powerful God's Word is. There are people who view the Bible like just another book. They see it just the same as they would see "Twilight," "Pride & Prejudice" or "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Arguably, all of those books are powerful--but the Bible is the only one that is a God-breathed message. It may be formatted as a book, but it's a sword that pierces hearts. People have died for it. Others have given their lives for a chance to read it firsthand. Some people have tried to hide it or to keep it hidden from the masses--not just during the Dark Ages, but right now in 2010.

God's Word is a book that burns--literally and spiritually. When it's branded on your heart, no one can take it away. Don't underestimate its power in your life and in the lives of others around you.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 38-41

Freedom and forgiveness

Today: Jeremiah 32-34

It's Sunday. And it's the Fourth of July.

As a Christian and as an American, I'm celebrating two kinds of freedom today--the first is the freedom my ancestors bled for. They lived and died to protect the belief, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The second? The freedom Christ lived and died for--that you and I and all of humanity can be freed from sin and death because of His sacrifice.

When I read today's passage, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it included some of God's history of giving freedom to His people. Here's what Jeremiah said:

'You performed signs and wonders in the country of Egypt

and continue to do so right into the present,

right here in Israel and everywhere else, too.

You've made a reputation for yourself that doesn't diminish.

You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders—

a powerful deliverance!—

by merely stretching out your arm.

You gave them this land

and solemnly promised to their ancestors a bountiful and fertile land.

But when they entered the land and took it over,

they didn't listen to you..."

Isn't that the story of humanity? When given freedom, we bind often ourselves to something--and often, it's some form of sin. We reject our Deliverer and real freedom for a cheap imitation of independence. The truth is, there's no such thing as independence--real freedom always depends on Someone (or someone) else.

In this passage, God talked about the consequences of His people's sin. But He did not leave them without hope--and He never leaves us without hope, either:

"This is God's Message,

the God who made earth,

made it livable and lasting,

known everywhere as God:

'Call to me and I will answer you.

I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things

that you could never figure out on your own.'

I love the turnaround outlined in this passage--the preview of a comeback story. God promised that when His people reached out to Him, He would forgive and restore them--bringing a fresh dose of freedom to their lives:

"But now take another look.

I'm going to give this city a thorough renovation,

working a true healing inside and out.

I'm going to show them life whole,

life brimming with blessings.

I'll restore everything that was lost...

I'll build everything back as good as new.

I'll scrub them clean from the dirt they've done against me.

I'll forgive everything they've done wrong, forgive all their rebellions..."

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 35-37

A clean slate

Today: Jeremiah 30-31

Years ago I bought a book for a friend called, "101 Things God Can't Do." That may sound controversial when you believe God is all-powerful (which I do of course!), but it's actually a cool little book that, using Scripture, highlights some of the great things about God's character.

One of those things was discussed in today's passage. Let's review:

"This is the brand-new covenant
that I will make with Israel when the time comes.
I will put my law within them—
write it on their hearts!—
and be their God.
And they will be my people.
They will no longer go around setting up schools
to teach each other about God.
They'll know me firsthand,
the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow.
I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them.
I'll forget they ever sinned!"
God's Decree.

Love this! One thing God can't do? Remember the sins He's already forgiven for us. Once we ask for His forgiveness, they're out of His mind--we have been given a clean slate and a fresh start by a perfect, all-powerful God. Isn't that cool?!?

A few other things I love about this passage? The picture of God writing His law on our hearts. The fact that we can know Him firsthand no matter how smart or foolish we are. We don't have to go through a ceremony or even a priest to ask for forgiveness for our sins or to know God--we can know Him and talk to Him directly. Jesus is the One who paid the price for our sins and offers us the clean slate. Wow--thank God for that!

A hope, future and context

Today: Jeremiah 26-29



Jeremiah 29:11 is one verse I've heard a lot while growing up in church and attending many Christian events: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."



It's a verse often quoted by youth pastors in messages about abstinence or graduation (it's a good go-to verse for both scenarios, I guess). :) When I read this verse today, I looked at it with fresh eyes--and the perspective of context.



Since we started reading the book of Jeremiah, it's been pretty clear that at this point in history, God was fed up with His people. Time and time again, they turned away from Him and rejected His instruction. He sent good people like Jeremiah to speak the truth and intervene--but they didn't listen.



The context of Jeremiah 29:11 is important because it's a total expression of who God is--while His people rejected Him, He was planning their hope and future. Yes, He was allowing them to go into exile as a consequence for their disobedience--but while they abandoned Him, He never abandoned them. He also knew that they would turn around one day. Take a look:

"...I have it all planned out—

plans to take care of you, not abandon you,

plans to give you the future you hope for.

"When you call on me,

when you come and pray to me,

I'll listen.

"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "

Yes, when you get serious about finding me

and want it more than anything else,

I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

God's Decree.

It's God's heart to create good plans for everyone--but He promises the blessing of His presence to those who seriously seek Him. God has a hope and a future planned for all of us--but when we put our hope in Him to lead our futures, we have the opportunity to walk in His promises.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 30-31

God and Dr. Seuss

Today: Jeremiah 23-25

God's words in these verses from today's passage stood out to me:

"Am I not a God near at hand"

—God's Decree—

"and not a God far off?

Can anyone hide out in a corner

where I can't see him?"

God's Decree."

Am I not present everywhere,

whether seen or unseen?"

God's Decree.

It may sound funny, but this excerpt reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book. Dr. Seuss would have probably paraphrased this passage with something like, "God does not hide. He's not behind trees or messy hair: He is God. He is everywhere! He is with you at the zoo. He sees when you tie your shoe. He's not far. He's in your car. He's right there--where you are."

Okay, so I'm having a little bit of fun with this post--but you get the point, right? :)

The next time you feel that God's far away, remember Dr. Seuss--or better yet, these verses. Right where you are.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 26-29

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