What a strange chapter! Every so many verses it is written, "This is what the LORD says."
The LORD is once again warning the people that their sins are bringing trouble upon themselves. "For disaster looms out of the north, even terrible destruction." (Jer 6:1b NIV) "Prepare for battle!" (vs 4)
Once again, "This is what the LORD says."
"To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed
so they cannot hear.
The word of the Lord is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it." (Jer 6:10)
No one will listen. They would rather accept the message of "Peace, when there is no peace," (vs 14) so that they can keep doing as they are doing. They would rather hear things like, don't worry about it; it is good for you; it won't hurt you; God loves you no matter what you do. And.... indeed He does. But, He does not always love what His children do; especially, when they do not listen to Him for their own welfare, for their sake, and for the sake of all of His children.
It is as if we think if it feels good at the time, we should do it. I have been warning people about a danger, about something that does damage, for some time. But, it appears that no one (or very few) listens.
And... that is the danger of marijuana use. Why, it's so good for us, that in many areas of the country and world it has become a legal medication! What a lie that has been propagated throughout this world. If were really being used as a medication it should be farmed and distributed through real pharmacies. I have no doubt that it can be used to alleviate the suffering of those who have chronic pain. But, what I am seeing is that people are using the legal status as an excuse to abuse the drug and use it for their recreational purposes.
There are a few side effects that come with use of this drug that not everyone is aware of and if they are, they choose to ignore them. They choose to not hear.
So, if you are thinking "what does this have to do with the reading this morning," it is this: in our reading Jeremiah warns the people that they will suffer because they have turned away from God to worship false gods. Marijuana is a false god. It lulls people into a false sense of peace, at least while they are using. Everything is good! But, it is not. Do not say, "Peace, peace when there is no peace." (vs 14)
Peace, real peace, everlasting peace comes from only one place. We receive peace when we accept Jesus as our peace. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Col 1:19) Living in relationship with God, our Father; God, the Son; and God the Holy Spirit is the only place that we can have peace. Drugs will not do what God can do.
Is your life a mess? Thinking the world is turning against you? That just might be one of the side-effects of marijuana use - paranoia. Turn to the LORD! Flee for safety to the One who can and will protect you. Get rid of your false gods! Get rid of your pot! Disaster is looming! Who will listen?
And... may the peace of the LORD be with you always - Pr. J
P.S. Formerly a Substance Abuse Director at a Youth Correctional Facility.
The LORD is once again warning the people that their sins are bringing trouble upon themselves. "For disaster looms out of the north, even terrible destruction." (Jer 6:1b NIV) "Prepare for battle!" (vs 4)
Once again, "This is what the LORD says."
"To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed
so they cannot hear.
The word of the Lord is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it." (Jer 6:10)
No one will listen. They would rather accept the message of "Peace, when there is no peace," (vs 14) so that they can keep doing as they are doing. They would rather hear things like, don't worry about it; it is good for you; it won't hurt you; God loves you no matter what you do. And.... indeed He does. But, He does not always love what His children do; especially, when they do not listen to Him for their own welfare, for their sake, and for the sake of all of His children.
It is as if we think if it feels good at the time, we should do it. I have been warning people about a danger, about something that does damage, for some time. But, it appears that no one (or very few) listens.
And... that is the danger of marijuana use. Why, it's so good for us, that in many areas of the country and world it has become a legal medication! What a lie that has been propagated throughout this world. If were really being used as a medication it should be farmed and distributed through real pharmacies. I have no doubt that it can be used to alleviate the suffering of those who have chronic pain. But, what I am seeing is that people are using the legal status as an excuse to abuse the drug and use it for their recreational purposes.
There are a few side effects that come with use of this drug that not everyone is aware of and if they are, they choose to ignore them. They choose to not hear.
- Feelings of detachment
- Motor coordination problems
- Hormone secretion dysfunction
- Increased heart rate
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Cancer
- Infertility
- Dependence
- Depression
- Impaired cognitive ability and memory
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Paranoia
- Altered perceptions
- Mania
- Psychosis
- Early onset of schizophrenia and schizophrenic like symptoms
So, if you are thinking "what does this have to do with the reading this morning," it is this: in our reading Jeremiah warns the people that they will suffer because they have turned away from God to worship false gods. Marijuana is a false god. It lulls people into a false sense of peace, at least while they are using. Everything is good! But, it is not. Do not say, "Peace, peace when there is no peace." (vs 14)
Peace, real peace, everlasting peace comes from only one place. We receive peace when we accept Jesus as our peace. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Col 1:19) Living in relationship with God, our Father; God, the Son; and God the Holy Spirit is the only place that we can have peace. Drugs will not do what God can do.
Is your life a mess? Thinking the world is turning against you? That just might be one of the side-effects of marijuana use - paranoia. Turn to the LORD! Flee for safety to the One who can and will protect you. Get rid of your false gods! Get rid of your pot! Disaster is looming! Who will listen?
And... may the peace of the LORD be with you always - Pr. J
P.S. Formerly a Substance Abuse Director at a Youth Correctional Facility.
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