Tag: Faithfulness

The Love You Seek

In Ezekiel 16, God compares Jerusalem to an unfaithful bride who, instead of being grateful for His love and provision, turns to other lovers—false gods and worldly alliances. The tragic truth is that she receives the kind of love she seeks: a love that uses her, takes everything from her, and ultimately abandons her.

This principle is timeless. The love you seek will determine the kind of love you receive.

If you seek the love of the Lord, you will find grace, mercy, and protection. God’s love is sacrificial and unconditional. It’s a love that gives even when it’s not deserved and protects even when we’ve made mistakes. For example, the prodigal son in Luke 15 experiences this love firsthand. After squandering his inheritance and ending up destitute, he returns home expecting wrath but instead receives a father’s warm embrace and full restoration. The son sought the world’s pleasures but ultimately realized that true love and security were found only in his father’s house.

On the other hand, if you seek the love of the world, you will receive a love that is transactional and conditional. The world’s love is based on what you can provide—whether it’s success, beauty, power, or something else. Once you no longer fulfill those conditions, you’re discarded. Consider the story of Hollywood stars who, after reaching the peak of their fame, are quickly forgotten when they are no longer “marketable.” Their lives often reflect this sad reality: once adored, they find themselves alone and broken when the spotlight fades.

This is also true in personal relationships. People who build their identity around pleasing others or maintaining a certain image often find themselves empty and alone when they can no longer meet those expectations. The love they sought was never truly love; it was a facade that crumbled when reality set in.

The love of God offers a stark contrast. It’s a love that doesn’t waver based on our performance or circumstances. When we seek Him, we find a love that is steadfast and unchanging, a love that will never use or discard us but instead will always welcome us back with open arms.

In the end, the love you seek will determine the course of your life. Will you choose the fleeting and conditional love of the world, or will you seek the eternal and unconditional love of the Lord? The choice is yours, and it will shape everything that follows.

More Than Survival

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a promise of God’s good plans for our lives, especially during moments of transition or uncertainty. It’s a verse frequently found in graduation cards, spoken over young people as they step into the next chapter of their lives. But the context of this verse adds layers of meaning that are often overlooked.

In the passage surrounding Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord is addressing the exiles in Babylon—the very people who had been taken from their homeland and plunged into captivity. These were not people living in comfort or ease; they were enduring a period of discipline and trial. The word “remnant” might not even fully capture their situation, as it usually implies survivors, but these were people in the midst of God’s refining process.

And what does God say to them in this moment of hardship? “Keep living life.” Build houses, plant gardens, marry, and have children. God tells them to live fully even in their captivity, not because they are to settle there permanently, but because He has promised them a future and a hope.

This instruction is not just about survival; it’s about living with expectation. The Lord’s promise is not voided by their current situation. He assures them that despite their present struggles, He has plans to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a future and a hope.

As Christians today, we too are often called to live in difficult circumstances—situations that feel like captivity. Yet, like the exiles in Babylon, we are to live fully and faithfully, trusting in the promises of God. Our hope is anchored not in the absence of hardship but in the certainty of God’s ultimate plan for our good.

This perspective challenges us to see our trials as temporary and our hope as eternal. We are called to live in the tension of the “already” and the “not yet,” knowing that our current sufferings are not the end of the story. God’s promise is true, and His timing is perfect. We live now in anticipation of the future He has promised.

How Will You Lead?

I’ve always been struck by the profound responsibility that comes with leadership, particularly in the church. Reading through Jeremiah 22-23, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of God’s words directed at the leaders of Israel. As a leader, these passages serve as a sobering reminder that shepherding God’s people is not about serving ourselves but about being faithful stewards of His truth.

In Jeremiah 23:1-2, God condemns the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of His pasture. This rebuke is not limited to the kings but extends to the religious leaders as well. Those who are supposed to guide and protect God’s people are instead leading them astray, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the flock. The failure of these leaders to listen to God and to faithfully communicate His message is a betrayal of their calling.

As a preacher, this strikes a deep chord within me. The role of a preacher, much like the prophets of old, is to declare God’s word to His people. But how can we do that if we do not first listen to what He has to say? Jeremiah 23:16-22 makes it clear that those who claim to speak for God must be faithful to His words, not their own ideas or desires. This is not just a call to those who stand in the pulpit, but to anyone in a position of spiritual leadership—whether you’re leading a church, a small group, or your own family.

It’s easy to let our own agendas, insecurities, or even good intentions cloud our ability to hear from God. But as leaders, we must be committed to both truth and transparency. We must be willing to speak God’s truth, even when it’s difficult, and to do so with integrity and humility.

This is a commitment I continue to make in my own ministry, and it’s one I challenge all leaders to take seriously. We must shepherd God’s people with care, ensuring that we are faithful to His word and not leading others astray by our own neglect or self-interest. Let’s be leaders who listen, who seek God’s guidance, and who are faithful to the task we’ve been given.

God’s Not Done With You Yet

Even in the darkest moments, when it feels like everything is lost or you’ve strayed too far from God, He still has a plan for you. This truth is powerfully illustrated in the lives of the exiles in Daniel 1 and the prophecy given in Jeremiah 19-20.

In Daniel 1, we see young men from Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—taken into Babylonian captivity. Despite Judah’s failures and the exile that resulted, God wasn’t done with these men. In fact, they were chosen for a special purpose: to stand as a testimony to God’s power and faithfulness in a foreign land. They remained committed to God, refusing to defile themselves with the king’s food, and God blessed their faithfulness, giving them wisdom and understanding beyond all others. Their story is a reminder that no matter how far we fall, God can still use us for His glory.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 19-20, the prophet Jeremiah faces immense opposition and personal suffering for delivering God’s message. Yet, God wasn’t done with him either. Even when Jeremiah was persecuted, thrown into stocks, and ridiculed, God continued to sustain him and speak through him. This persistence highlights God’s unwavering commitment to His people and His plan, even when they feel overwhelmed or defeated.

These stories remind us that God is never “done” with us, no matter our past mistakes or current struggles. He continues to love us, guide us, and use us for His purposes. We might face hardships, make mistakes, or feel like we’re not good enough, but God sees beyond our failures. He sees the potential for redemption, growth, and fulfillment of His divine plan in our lives.

When you feel like you’ve messed up too badly or that your circumstances are too bleak, remember that God is still at work. He is patient, loving, and always ready to bring you back into His fold. Trust in His plan, and know that He is not finished with you yet.

Fear of the Lord

The concept of the “fear of the Lord” is central to understanding the relationship between God and His people. This fear is not just a terror of God’s power and judgment, but a profound respect, reverence, and awe for His holiness, authority, and righteousness.

In today’s reading, we see a stark contrast between those who fear the Lord and those who do not. Jeremiah 25:15-38 speaks of the cup of God’s wrath being poured out on the nations, a terrifying image of divine judgment. This passage is a sobering reminder that God’s justice cannot be ignored, and His authority cannot be dismissed. The lack of fear of the Lord leads to disastrous consequences, as seen in the nations that are about to be judged.

Conversely, the fear of the Lord leads to peace and security. Those who respect and honor God’s authority live with the assurance of His protection and guidance. In Jeremiah 36, despite the king’s attempts to destroy God’s word by burning the scroll, God’s message endures, and His plans remain unchanged. The faithful scribe Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah, who feared the Lord, were protected, even as the king faced judgment for his defiance.

This contrast between fear of the Lord and lack of it is also echoed in Jeremiah 45-46, where Egypt, which did not fear the Lord, faced destruction, while Baruch, who served the Lord faithfully, was promised his life as a reward.

The fear of the Lord is not about living in constant dread but about recognizing God’s rightful place as sovereign over all. This fear brings wisdom, peace, and life, as Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

Those who lack this fear are left to face the fear of consequences, a fear that could have been avoided through reverence and obedience to God.

Fickle Friends

Absalom is dead and his coup with him. David returns to Jerusalem, his victory undercut by the death of his son. God’s promise that David’s sin would lead to his family living (and dying) by the sword is coming to pass. And during his return to Jerusalem several men from all the tribes of Israel help him return to the palace. But 10 of the tribes are angry that Judah is helping. They insist that David send them away because “where were they before!?”. David rebukes them, but then a man named Sheba tries to lead ANOTHER revolt against David and everyone EXCEPT Judah joins with him! This coup, too, would be shut down, but it shows the dangers of fickle friends. What if David had sent away Judah, and relied on the loyalty of people who would so quickly turn on him?

We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by popular opinion. We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by the opinions of those who would hold their friends over our heads. Listen to the council of a faithful friend, but always weigh it against the truth of Scripture. Most friends come and go and shouldn’t have a place of high influence. But you should absolutely find a Ruth, Jonathan, or Barnabas and be that in return.

Faithful (in every sense of the word) friends > Fickle Friends

2 Samuel 19:30-21:22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8; Psalm 7

Promises

God was utterly faithful with his covenant promises and he expects the same from us. Which is probably why He is constantly upset with Israel. My father used to tell me that the only things you really have in this life are your family and your word, and the latter is how you’ll be remembered.

When people break trust, it is nearly impossible to repair. And God wants to drive this home, so Leviticus ends with a list of how to re-claim people and possessions that have been dedicated, consecrated to the Lord.

Usually this was the result of a vow. Like when Hannah asks God for a child and she says that in return she will consecrate him to the Lord. Well, once Samuel was born, she essentially turned him over to the priests to serve in the Temple for the rest of his life.

God says no take-sy back-sies, BUT if you wish to reclaim (redeem) this person or thing consecrated (set apart) for the Lord, then there will be renumeration based on age and future earning potential in that day and time. These prices were not trivial, and for animals and inanimate possession there was a 20% surcharge on top of the market value. This was something to take seriously.

In the same way our word, our vow, our promise should be solid and meaningful. If we say we will do a thing, we have an obligation to actually do that thing. And not just because of the legacy that creates, or what people will think of us, but because we are called to be like the Lord. And He is faithful to the end.

Let’s be faithful in all our dealings as the Lord Himself is faithful.

Feb 26 | Lev 27; Num 1 | 057/365