SCRIPTURE

Studied: Jeremiah 34

 

OBSERVATION

Jeremiah 34:18-20 ~ …. But you people of Jerusalem have broken that agreement as well as my agreement with Israel. So I will do to you what you did to that calf. I will let your enemies take all of you prisoner, including the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the royal officials, the priests, and everyone else who walked between the two parts of the calf. These enemies will kill you and leave your bodies lying on the ground as food for birds and wild animals.

APPLICATION

I believe that one thing this passage is teaching is that when we make commitments, we need to stand by them, especially those that we make to God or when we make them before whom we could spoil the image of God. In accepting Jesus we then make every attempt to be imitators of Him. One thing that Jesus was known for was His candid honesty and trustworthiness. He is known as the only ‘perfect’ One. As we strive to be ‘perfect’ in all that we do, we must strive to not make vain, or empty promises. Another verse in the New Testament tells us to let our ‘yes’ be yes, and our ‘no’ be no. let us not be wavering with every little ‘bump in the road’ or known obstacle. In this story by Jeremiah, we are told that the people used an altar they had set up to help relay their commitment to God, yet they turned around and did what they wanted to do. God said that He would use this same image in His punishment to the people because they had broken their promise to Him so badly.

PRAYER

Thank God for His Word that could direct us each and every day, seeing that we are so weak in and of our own selves that we give in to the things of this world so easily in our own strength. Father I pray today for:

• Guidance – to do those things that are pleasing and honoring to You;
  
• Strength – to overcome the things of this world, and instead keep my eyes fixed on You, and my walk and talk guided by, and aligned by You;
  
• Stamina – to be a bold witness for You, and to be an honest and deliberate representative of Yours in all that I do and say.
  

For