SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 10-12; John 14
Jeremiah 11:15-16
“What business do the ones I love have figuring out
how to get off the hook? And right in the house of worship!
Do you think making promises and devising pious programs
will save you from doom?
Do you think you can get out of this
by becoming more religious?
A mighty oak tree, majestic and glorious—
that’s how I once described you.
But it will only take a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning
to leave you a shattered wreck.Jeremiah 12:5-6
“So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?
Those closest to you, your own brothers and cousins,
are working against you.
They’re out to get you. They’ll stop at nothing.
Don’t trust them, especially when they’re smiling.
OBSERVATIONS: My walk with Christ can NOT be about avoiding consequences. It can NOT be about rushing to grace, rushing to freedom, rushing to “it’s all right again.” There are times when brokenness is inevitably long-lasting. When God breaks your heart, he does it with a ruthless sort of attitude. At times, the breaks come from those closest to me.
APPLICATION: Joey, when you’re looking for the way out, remember that I’m looking for the way in. Sit down, shut up, and listen to Me again. I love you too much to let you fix everything on your own. First, you can’t always. Second, even if you could, what would it do for your humility if I let you do that? Be healed by My hand, or not at all.
PRAYER: God, your healing hurts — sometimes. This is one of them. I’m trying not to flinch. I’m trying to let you clean the wounds. But it takes more than I have sometimes. And sometimes, less. Remind me that you are enough. I know you are enough. Bless me with stillness. I promise to try to embrace it. As Christ embraces me, Amen.
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