Jeremiah 20

Jeremiah 20:4, “For thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it…”

In this chapter, Jeremiah was put into the stocks, by a man named Pashur, for speaking the word of the Lord (and the Word was destruction). The Lord is coming to Jeremiah’s defense here because of Jeremiah’s obedience.

My first thought while reading this was, “oh no, those poor friends, they didn’t do anything wrong.” And then it occurred to me: it matters who our friends are. Are we friends with people who would imprison a prophet of the Lord? If so, we might be guilty by association. Also, the way we act may have consequences for our friends, and we need to be aware of that.

Finally, when Jesus walked the earth, and even today, He befriends sinners- people like Pashur- those who don’t know the Lord or have walked away from Him. I used to use this as an excuse to behave like a sinner. I would go to parties and all that, in the name of Jesus. But here’s the thing, people change when they meet Jesus and they aren’t sinners anymore. When Jesus walked the earth, his disciples dropped everything from their previous lives to follow Him. When we accept Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, we literally change the path we are on, change our behaviors, and start walking with the Lord. So, it’s one thing to befriend someone who is not walking with Jesus and bring them to Jesus to be changed, and a whole other thing to befriend and act like a sinner “in the name of Jesus.” Because as we see here in Jeremiah, the Lord will punish our friends for our behavior and the Lord will punish us for our friends’ behavior.

Heavenly Father, today I pray You open my eyes and reveal to me people that I may need to let go of in my life. Or people that I need to bring to You. Or maybe people that are following You whom I should befriend. As we see in Jeremiah, our friends are important and I pray you reveal to me areas that need change in my relational life. I thank You so much that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and that He changes us once we invite Him into our hearts. Please bless this day and bless all my friends. In Jesus name, amen.

Jeremiah 14

The people are NOW coming to the Lord, now that the consequences have started happening, but it’s too late. He gave them lots of opportunities to repent and be saved, but they refused. And now, it’s time for judgement.

But there are false prophets saying that everything will be fine. When I first listened to this chapter from The Daily Audio Bible Podcast, I felt sympathy for the people because Jeremiah was saying all the other prophets were wrong, and the others were saying Jeremiah was wrong. How were they supposed to know who to believe? We have this going on in our own land right now because some people think we are in the end times and others do not.

But it all comes down to spending time with God. Jeremiah knew the truth because he spent time with the Lord and the Lord told him the truth. God will tell us the truth, too, if we ask and spend time with Him. One of the fruits of the Spirit is discernment of spirits- meaning you can tell a false prophet from a God-given prophet.

Lord, today I pray You tell me the truth and reveal Yourself to me. I ask for the gift of discernment so I know who and what to believe. Thank you for Jesus so we are forgiven for our sins. Thank you for the Holy Spirit so we can have a relationship with You. In Jesus name, amen.

Proverbs 20

Good morning, as you know there is a ton of information to unpack in the Proverbs. Therefore, I’m just going to highlight a couple of verses that caught my attention.

20:3, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.”

Fighting, quarreling, arguing- these are all easy to do. When we follow Jesus, we don’t need to engage because we already know Jesus has won victory. We can just walk away. It might seem counterintuitive, especially if someone is poking at our Lord. But, we will show the character of God much more by choose NOT to argue than by disgracing Him and quarreling about it.

20:9, “Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from sin?”

No one but Jesus can say that. I think this is here to show that we are all equal, we are all sinners, and we all need salvation.

20:17, “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.”

Obviously, God has the power to literally fill the mouths of deceitful people with gravel. However, I think this is referring to regret. When we obtain things unjustly, it might feel good for a moment, but then the regret, or gravel, will come and ruin any sweetness.

20:30, “Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart.”

This could be talking about blows to the average person to cleanse our sin. However, I think this is a prophecy for Jesus. It was by His blows and His stripes that we are cleansed of evil and our hearts are made pure. This could also be an answer to Proverbs 20:9.

Today I pray for forgiveness. As I’m reading the Proverbs, the Holy Spirit is making me aware of my many shortcomings. I humbly repent of the evil my mouth speaks and the cruel actions I’ve taken against others. I pray the Holy Spirit restores me and helps me walk on a more righteous path. I also thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus to cleanse me of my sins and make me pure in your eyes. I also thank you, Jesus, that you’ve already won victory and we may find comfort in that knowledge. I pray a blessing on all who read this- may you go out in love and have the peace of the Lord! Amen.

Proverbs 14

There is so much to unpack in this chapter! I’m just going to highlight a few verses that caught my attention.

Proverbs 14:4, “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.” When I read this, I was so confused by it, I prayed the Holy Spirit would give me some understanding.

My first thought was this: Maybe the second half of the verse is saying that we need “an ox” to thrive, but that too many oxen cause the water to be dirty- and we don’t want that either. In 2020 America, the ox might symbolize a career. A career is a good thing to bring “much increase” but if too much of our focus is on work, our water will become dirty. Our priorities and character will become unclear.

My second thought was: Maybe it’s saying that cleanliness IS important, but not THE MOST important.

Then, I looked up a commentary online and what I found somewhat aligned with my first thought. According to christiancourier.com, this passage is trying to explain that there are always pros and cons, and we need to weigh those options. The author also wrote that we need to get the right tools for the job AND for the right price; and to not waste money or effort in unnecessary ways.

Side note

Something important to remember about the proverbs is that they are probable, but not a guarantee. There are many biblical examples of people who lived an upright life but did not receive the “promises” of the proverbs (like Job). That being said, they are still from God and should be taken as serious advice.

Proverbs 14:23, “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.”

I’ve often struggled with the balance of “relationship building” and working at work. I want friends, so I usually welcome the chatter, but then I regret it when I’ve wasted an hour or more of time at work. According to this proverb, it seems like when I’m at work, I should be doing work and we can save the chat for another time. I could learn to say, “I would love to chat with you. Would you mind if I finished this task and then we went somewhere to continue talking?” Then I’m managing the relationship but also not “idly chatting” at work and it’s biblical to do so!

Finally, Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to the people.”

Most of the proverbs so far have been in the singular- they have been about the individual. This one is about the multitudes, the nations. How the individual acts has a ripple effect on the nation. Consequences of sin are not our own to bear, but reflect on all the people.

Lord, thank you for this book of wisdom. I pray that these scriptures would be inscribed on my heart and I can learn to walk in all your ways and uphold these passages. I pray that I am mindful of the tools I use to get the job done, as well as the costs. And that I may do more labor than chatting at work. I also ask forgiveness for my sins so they do not reflect poorly on my nation, but that I may be a person who brings righteousness to my people. Thank you for your love, your patience, and your Holy Spirit for wise counsel each and every day. In Jesus name, Amen.

Psalms 144-145

Psalm 144:15 “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!”

It doesn’t matter what are circumstances are, we should be happy that our God is the Lord.

Psalm 145:5, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty.” When the bible says to meditate, it reminds me that God wants us to take our time with Him and not to be so rushed. When I feel like I’m not DOING enough, I’m actually living life the way God intended and I can spend my free time meditating on His glorious splendor and majesty.

Psalm 145:14, “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.” If we want the Lord to raise us up, we must first bow down to Him. Verse 15 says that God provides what we need “in due season.” Not right away, not a moment too soon or a moment too late, but in His perfect timing. Verse 16 says that God will satisfy the desires of “every living thing.” It’s such a great reminder that humans are just ONE of God’s many creations and He cares for ALL of His creations.

Psalms 124-126

Psalm 124

When we are on the other side of this pandemic and the Lord has given us victory, we will sing this Psalm: “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side…”this plague would have destroyed us. But we do have the Lord on our side, Hallelujah! And He will pull us out of this mess.

Psalm 125

Verse 5 says, “As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them away, with the workers of iniquity.”

The bible often refers to the punishment of iniquity. Our God is a JUST God and punishes inequality. This gives me hope for our nation. We are going through another civil rights movement (Black Lives Matter) and the Lord is on the side of justice and equality. Again, He will pull His people through this and He will “do good to those who are upright in their hearts.” (verse 4) and “lead away the WORKERS of iniquity” (verse 5). I pray that when its time for God to judge my heart that He would see it as an upright heart and I pray that they Holy Spirit lead me away from paths that might make me a worker of iniquity.

Psalm 126

This is such a hopeful passage. It says that when we cry, our tears are seeds that will bloom into joy. Hallelujah!

Psalm 122 and 123

Good morning! I apologize for not writing anything in awhile. I have still been doing my daily bible readings but it feels like each day the Holy Spirit either reveals something deeply personal to me that I don’t feel like sharing on the internet or nothing is really revealed at all.

But today, after reading Psalms 122 and 123, I feel like I have something to share again! So without further adieu, here are my thoughts on these Psalms.

Psalm 122: 1 says, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”

When churches reopened, this is how I felt- glad! Maybe one thing God is doing is restoring our joy about going to church. In America, its a right to go to any church we want, but I think through this pandemic I’ve also learned that it is a privilege. David understood this privilege when he wrote this poem.

Also, he prays for his city, Jerusalem, and for the people of his city to have peace and prosper. I think it would behoove us to follow David’s example and pray for our cities as well.

Psalm 123

There is a current feeling of contempt for the rich that infuses our American culture. It seems as though this is a tale as old as time because Psalm 123 is also about a feeling of contempt for the rich. The psalmist asks the Lord for forgiveness and freedom from his contempt for the rich, and maybe we should do the same.

Today the word of the Lord has brought a couple of prayer needs to light. First, I pray for peace and prosperity for the people of my cities. Secondly, I pray for forgiveness and freedom from contempt. Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing these needs to me. I lift up these prayer requests, just as David did so many years ago. Thank you for being a loving and gracious God who will fill our every need. Amen.

Psalm 77

We can all relate to this Psalm. Asaph (the author) is in anguish, he is suffering and wondering, “where is God?” I know I have cried out to the Lord, troubled, asking, “where are you?!?” Some people choose these moments to walk away from God, claiming that He was absent during their time of need. Like verses 7 and 8 say, “will the Lord cast us off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore?” These are normal, huan questions. But our reaction is so important! Some choose to walk away, but Asaph chose to remember the Lord, “I will remember the works of the Lord.” (11)

When we choose to remember all the ways the Lord has come through for us, we can find hope. He has never failed His children, even if the solution didn’t come for generations, He still prevailed. When we remember who our God is, we can be filled with hope and peace when we place our trust in Him.

But, we have to have something to remember. That’s why it is so important to read the bible. It reveals God’s character and allows us to remember Him, especially if we are in trouble. We can’t remember something we never knew to begin with. Secondly, we need to keep track of all the ways we have seen God bless us, perform miracles, and intervene in our lives and the lives of those around us. That way, we can remember our God and find hope in Him. Asaph ends the poem with many examples of God’s character and finally, “You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (20) Asaph is choosing to stay faithful to the Lord, despite his circumstances, because Asaph knows God.

It’s kind of like having an extremely trustworthy friend who is supposed to be meeting you for a very important event. Unfortunately, because they are human, they are running a little late (God is never late). But, because you know the person, you don’t doubt that they will make it. The only way you can do that is by remembering all the times before that they never let you down.

This reminds me of one more important point. The bible tells us about God and His character, and we need to be always looking for Him in the scriptures and not ourselves.

Lord, thank you for being a trustworthy God. The same yesterday, today, and forever. You have never let us down and you never will. We may go through seasons of adversity, but it is all part of Your perfect plan. I pray today that you give me peace through my troubled times and that my heart can rest in Your embrace. I pray that I might remember You and all You’ve done for me. Thank you, Lord, for being a loving and faithful Father. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 71

We have so much to praise God for. We could praise Him for eternity and never run out. Here, the author is praising God for being, “upheld from birth. You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.” (verse 6). Amen to that! We can praise God for letting us be born and every day of life He grants us. It also makes me think- am I living a life that is worthy of being sustained by God?

Psalm 71:20-21, “You, who have shown my great and severe troubles shall revive me again and bring me up again from the depths of the Earth. You shall increase my greatness and comfort me on every side.” Our only hope is in God, so when we are down in the dumps, what else can we do but pray to the Lord? This verse did make me think of Jesus- who went through great and severe trouble but was revived again (literally). Jesus showed us how God loves His children and we can always count on Him.

A note in my bible from the editor- Charles F. Stanley- for Psalm 71:24 says, “…we usually love speaking about what gives us joy…” so we should talk about God all the time. But then I thought, “Do we love talking about joyful things?” Maybe that is one way the devil has grabbed hold of our society- good news is boring news. People want drama, bad news, tragedy, etc. If our culture is primed to only discuss negatives then the topic of God is almost automatically shut out because no one wants to talk about the good stuff. My eyes have been opened this morning! How often do I just go along with a negative conversation because that’s what is culturally appropriate? Why do I feel like a bore if all in my life is well? Admittedly (and regretfully), when I had my car accident I did think, “well, now I’ll have something to talk about.” Why?!? Why do we love bad news? Because if we love bad news then we won’t share the good news of Jesus! The enemy is to blame for this. Thank you Lord for revealing this to me. Please help me be someone who shares good news and doesn’t delight in drama.

Not coincidentally, my pregnancy prayer card for today was on the topice of renewing my mind.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatver things are pure, whatever things are lively, whatever things are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.”

This reiterates the brain blast I just had about talking about good things and joyful things and not being a part of this society who relish in bad news.

Also, Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Yes, God has a theme for me today- and that is to renew my mind and focus on the goodness that is God. Holy Spirit, please help transform my heart and mind so that I may be a light unto others and not be conformed to this world. Thank you for your forgivness and your help, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 69

A couple of things stuck out to me from this Psalm. First, have you ever asked, “If I’m saved no matter what, why does my behavior matter?” I know I have asked that question, especially during my younger days when I wanted to behave in ways that did not align with Christ. Verses 6 and 7 of this Psalm provide some insight into the answer to that question.

In these verses, David is asking that his actions are not shameful to the larger community of believers and that those who seek the Lord would not be “confounded because of me.” This is a prayer I definitely need to say more and all Christians should have in their hearts. What we do and say matters. We are representatives of Christ all the time, especially when there are nonbelievers around. I know I have brought shame to the Christian religion by touting my faith while engaging in sinful behavior- and for that I repent. That behavior can be confounding to a nonbeliever. My very good friend (who has gone through a period of questioning her sexuality) asked me once after having a conversation with another Christian, “How can Christians say they love everyone and God loves everyone but also say they hate gay people?” (For the record, I do not hate gay people- I try not to hate at all). This other Christian she spoke to confounded her and pushed her farther away from God. We have all done this to a nonbeliever in our lives and that’s why it’s important to pray the prayer that David did in verses 6 and 7 of this Psalm. That’s the answer to the question, “why does our behavior matter if we are saved no matter what?” We are saved no matter what but we are also representatives of Christ all the time and need to be mindful of that.

Therefore, may God bless is un our lives and give us the ability to be true representatives of His love, grace, mercy, etc. and not be a source of confusion or hypocrisy that draws people away from God.

Another thing that stuck out to me were verses 22-28. David is wishing horrible things onto his enemies. Thank goodness humans are not tasked with judging the world! This is a great example of our iniquities as humans- hate, anger, and vengeance. But, verse 33 says, “The Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisioners.” God will rule with grace, mercy, and love; which is so much better than a human (even David) could do.

God, today I repent of all the times I have brought shame to You and other Christians and the times I have confounded nonbelievers and pushed them away from You. May You please bless me with the ability to be a pure example for You and bring people to You. Also, thank You for being in charge, and not placing a human in charge. We are unfit and would bring destruction. Thank You for being a just God who rules with love and mercy. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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