October 15
Jer 26:1-27 | PS 85:1-13 | Prov 25:16 | 2 Thes 3:1-18
I have a long term patient that I saw the other day. Unfortunately, the events which have transpired in her life are the things which television dramas are made of. She was holding it together, but for obvious reasons, since the proverbial rug was pulled from underneath her, she seemed and spoke hopelessness. She happens to be secular, and therefore seeking God in the midst of her turmoil is not where she would normally turn. I described to her that it is in the valleys of life that people often first embark on a relationship with God. That when things are great, many don't seek Him. When it seems like everything is taken away, is when eyes are often first opened. I explained that my church is filled with former everythings, including individuals with her background. I then went on to explain what a life filled with God can look like, despite our circumstances. Sadly, in the end, she remarked to me that it was nice that I have found Jesus, and that I have this hope. Though a seed was planted, it seemingly did not appear to take any root. We are commanded to deliver God's message of hope, but we have no control as to how it will be received, that has to do with the condition of the soil of one's heart (Matthew 13).
We read in Jeremiah 26:2, "“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word." Notice God was clear to Jeremiah that His message was His message, and it was not to be softened in order to please people. We read in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." We, God's vessels, have been given a message, the only message of hope, and we are to deliver it unashamedly. We read in Revelation 22:18-19, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." We can adjust our delivery, but the truth of the message must remain the truth, and not some modification of it. Paul took this seriously, as we read in Acts 20:27, "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." Some will receive our message joyfully, some will politely allow us to say what we have to say yet remain unmoved, while others might get hostile. We read in Jeremiah 26:11-13, "And the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and all the people, saying, “This man deserves to die! For he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.” Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard. Now therefore, amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; then the Lord will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you."
God has called us to holiness. That means we have been called to be separated unto Him, which also means we are not to fit in to society. We must ask ourselves what is our driving force. Is our main desire to be popular and to fit in, or is it to faithfully represent Him. Realize the opposite of being holy, is to be common. God has called us to be uncommon. We are God's messengers for such a time as this. May we do so boldly. As an aside, some prophecies are easily missed. We read in Jeremiah 27:7, concerning King Nebuchadnezzar, "So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son’s son, until the time of his land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them." This written around seventy years in advance came true in Daniel 5, as Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, on the throne, was defeated by the Medo-Persians, and the empire fell.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: