Read Jeremiah 4
Highlights:
God warns Judah of impending destruction unless hearts and minds are cleansed (Jer. 4:3-4). The prophet grieves (4:19-22) over visions of Judah's coming judgment (4:23-31). Not one man seeketh the Truth to save the city (5:1-9,19-25). A last warning (6:1-9). Judah's constant rebellion results in rejection (6:10-30).
Jeremiah proclaimed his horrifying vision of the Holy Land being utterly devastated. But the national leaders refused to listen to his warnings. This people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart. . . . Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God (Jer. 5:23-24). They continued in their sinful activities and idolatry while certain destruction was speeding toward them. Jeremiah was overwhelmed with grief at the vision of slavery, but no one believed him. In contrast:The (false) prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof (5:31)?
Liberty is a precious privilege, but slavery is degrading and demoralizing. It robs a person of the power to make his own decisions of being and doing what the Lord is leading him to do.
Sin can slowly but surely gain mastery over a person. The struggling soul may find itself utterly helpless, sold under sin, a captive, a slave. Redeemed by Christ you can be free from the dominion and power of sin. Sin shall not have dominion over you (Rom. 6:14).
We are not made free that we may choose our own way of life, but we are made free from the guilt and penalty of sin — free to follow the leading of the Lord in full service. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. . . . Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof (Rom. 6:9,11-12).
In the last days. . . . Men shall be lovers of their own selves,covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (II Tim. 3:1-4).
Thought for Today:
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth (Prov.10:17).
Christ Portrayed:
By Jeremiah, whom God commissioned to reveal His Truth (Jer. 4:2). Jesus shall one day judge all mankind with His Truth (Ps. 96:13; John 5:22). Jesus said: To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth heareth My voice (John 18:37).
Word Studies:
4:6 retire, stay not to in haste to take refuge, don't delay; 4:22 sottish devoid of spiritual understanding; 5:10 battlements branches; 5:13 wind full of words, but speaking nothing from God; 5:30 wonderful monstrous, shocking; 6:30 reprobate silver rejected, despised, trash.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Iva Jo Swinburg • Government Officials: Justice Stephen Breyer, Del. Eni Faleomavaega (American Samoa), Rep. Judy Biggert (IL), and Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) • Country: Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) (19 million) an island in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern tip of India • Major languages: Sinhala and Tamil • Christianity suppressed • 69% Buddhist; 15% Hindu; 8% Christian (mostly Catholic); 7% Muslim (mostly Sunni); 1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Magnify the Lord; exalt His Name (Ps. 34:3).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
2 Timothy 3:2
