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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 23 July 2023:
Jeremiah 15:6 – I am weary of relenting.
God’s patience doesn’t last forever.
Jeremiah 15:16 – Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
Henry T. Blackaby — If you were to receive a note from the leader of your country or someone famous, you would probably save it as a keepsake. How much more precious is a message from almighty God! Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances that are beyond our control. This was the case for Mary and Martha as they were grieving the death of their brother Lazarus. At these times a word from Jesus can bring much rejoicing (John 11:41-45). Other times when Jesus speaks, His words bring correction. “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matt. 16:23) and “O you of little faith” (Matt. 14:31) do not seem to bring joy. Yet Jeremiah said that God’s word brought him joy. It is overwhelming to consider that holy, almighty God would speak directly to us! What a privilege that He would care enough to challenge our destructive thoughts or practices. No matter whether His words are praising us or chastising us, we ought to consider it joy to receive life-changing words from our Master! Every time we prepare to worship the Lord, we ought to do so with anticipation that almighty God may have something to say to us. Whenever we open our Bibles, we should expect that God has something to tell us in our time with Him. We ought to be far more concerned with what God will say to us during our prayer times than with what we intend to tell Him. When you receive a word from your Lord, whether it be of praise or of correction, consider it joy that almighty God would speak to you.
Jeremiah 15:17 – I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.
Holiness can be lonely like leadership. When you are leading the race, you are often running harder than everyone else and running alone. It takes great physical and moral courage to be a faithful Christian. Few are willing to persevere on the hard road.
Jeremiah 15:19 – If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.
We are called to be Ambassadors for Jesus, to speak on His behalf. We are not called to represent ourselves on this earth but to help reconcile the divide between God and men. Are you fighting for your “rights” or for reconciliation? Are you proclaiming merely morality or the Messiah? Are you seeing behavior modification in others or heart change? Who will influence who? Will you influence the world around you, or will the world be more of an influence on you? Is the spirit in you really greater that the spirit in the world? Will you be bright and salty today or dim and tasteless?
Psalm 83:3 – They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.
This verse was demonstrated in Ezra 4 and is being demonstrated against the church today in many ways.
Psalm 84:10 – For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 84 is identified as “A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.” Korah was the grandson of Kohath, one among the 250 who challenged the rights of Moses and Aaron to the priesthood as recorded in Numbers 16. You may recall from Numbers 16 that God wrathfully opened the earth and consumed Korah and all associated with Korah, his household and possessions. (Numbers 16:28-35) However, we learned in Numbers 26 that the sons of Korah did not die; God spared them in His mercy. God purified the house of Korah. Seven generations later, the prophet Samuel arose from the line of Korah (1 Chronicles 6:31-38; 1 Chronicles 38; 1 Samuel 1:1, 20). The Korahites became doorkeepers and custodians for the tabernacle. (1 Chronicles 9:19-21, 1 Chronicles 2) Some became expert warriors and joined King David in various military exploits. (1 Chronicles 12:6) Pertaining to the Psalms, the Korahites became David’s music ministry leaders in the Tabernacle and Temple.
There are many Psalms attributed to the sons of Korah (About 25). All mirror the same heart for the Lord that is revealed today in Psalm 84. For example, you may have been touched by Psalm 42:1 — “As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” – another testimony of how much the Sons of Korah loved the Lord. The Psalms written by the Sons of Korah are not just platitudes but are rather deep expressions of praise which come from their real encounters with God, having experienced God’s wrath, but also His mercy and grace. For example, with Exodus and Numbers 16 in mind, we have a greater appreciation for the heart behind Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” The heart of the Korahites so beautifully revealed in the Psalms is a heart of genuine gratitude, praise, and worship that comes from true salvation.
The Korahites were descendants of men who “despised” God, an infamous group who brought a level of wrath from God the likes of which the people had never seen before (“something new” — Numbers 16:28-35). The ignoble beginnings of the Korahites were, of course, known by all and recorded for eternity in the Bible. But more importantly, what was also evident to all and recorded in the Bible for eternity is what God did in the Korahite family through the Sons of Korah. God’s justice combined with His mercy and love transformed the Korahites, and this is their very public testimony that brings great glory to God. The Sons of Korah loved much because they had been forgiven much. They could not help but proclaim their love in both word and deed. As Paul Harvey use to say, “Now you know… the rest of the story.” Perhaps you have a similar testimony. Your story of salvation brings glory to God when you proclaim it publicly. Your story is your witness of the Truth of God. Proclaim it with passion today!
Is Jesus your ultimate desire and your joy? Is he your strength? Do you trust him implicitly? Do you long for a heart that is more desiring of God, more loving of God, and more obedient to God? Perhaps, like me, you can relate to the man who said to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24)!” I am struck by the fact that it is God that softens our hearts and gives us a heart that seeks Him (Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26), while at the same time, God’s greatest command to us is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).” In fact, the Bible warns us to “be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God (Joshua 23:11).” God gives us the ability to love Him and to love others, and God also gives us the responsibility to do both. But if I have the desire to love, do I need a command to love? No. In perfect love, there is no need for commands, and obedience is natural, inevitable. As John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).” But in our imperfection, God’s commands guide us in our sanctification and our pursuit of love – they are a lamp unto our feet as we seek to walk with God. Paul reminds us that we have to “fight the good fight” and “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) Give thanks that God in His grace has enabled and equipped us to grow in our love for Him and for others. As was the case with the Korahites, the more we learn the truly appreciate the love, mercy, and grace we have received from God through Jesus, the more we are ‘amazed by grace,’ the more we will grow to love and naturally obey Him and proclaim Him – “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
- Jeremiah 29:13 — You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalm 84:3, 4 – Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
We can be at home without a home when we are in the presence of God.
Psalm 84:10 — I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
What is your life’s ambition? How do you define life success? Does your joy depend on anything other than merely being in God’s presence? Would you rather be a nobody with Jesus or have everything this world can offer? What is your ultimate goal in life? What does the Bible say your goal should be?
Psalm 84:11, 12 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
What guarantees joy, prosperity, and security in life?
Proverbs 23:1-3 – When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
Rulers make many promises, but there is usually a catch, a hidden agenda, a power play. Politicians get elected on promises. Be warry of deceptive food.
Proverbs 23:15 – My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
All that godly parents want from their children is that they too live godly lives, surrendered wholeheartedly to Jesus.
Proverbs 23:16, 23 – My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right…. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
The righteous heart longs to hear and treasure the truth.
Proverbs 23:17, 18 — Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
What is the future for you and your family? Many Christians compromise their fidelity to God because they want what the world seems to have, and they often realize far too late the price of compromise.
Proverbs 23:20, 21 – Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
The Bible considers eating too much to be a sin like drinking too much, both demonstrating a destructive lack of self-control (which is a spiritual problem) and idolatry.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 23 July 2023: Share your testimony with someone today that God may be glorified, that they will be edified, and that you will be further sanctified.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 