Micah 1 - Mourning For Children

"Shave your head in mourning
    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He continues the warning to the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.

It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine here in the U.P. of Michigan and the fact that the lower temperatures keep people indoors more with much less exercise and sunlight. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much. at all.

As we prepare for Christmas, there is a lot of frustration. People seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.

Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.

What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?

It is probably past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them peace?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Amos 9 - God's Promise Thru Amos

After many warnings of destruction to those who do not listen to God, Amos ends with a promise.

“In that day

'I will restore David’s fallen shelter—
    I will repair its broken walls
    and restore its ruins—
    and will rebuild it as it used to be,
so that they may possess the remnant of Edom
    and all the nations that bear my name,^'
declares the Lord, who will do these things.

'The days are coming,' declares the Lord,

'when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman
    and the planter by the one treading grapes.
New wine will drip from the mountains
    and flow from all the hills,
    and I will bring my people Israel back from exile.'" (Amos 9:11:14 NIV)

 

God's awesome promises - the Good News of His Kingdom - is for all nations who will bear His name. Shall we then bear His Holy Name - proclaim it to all people - that all might live in His loving grace?

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 12 - Ezekiel's Exile

"The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. 'Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people.'" (Ezekiel 12:1-2 NIV)

"Son, of man, you are living among a rebellious people." Now, if that isn't the truth! It is truth not just for the days of Ezekiel, but for today, as well. With eyes that do not see and ears that refuse to hear, we continue on our own path, refusing to follow in the Way that has been set before us, frustrating more than one pastor, more than one shepherd.

The LORD tells Ezekiel to dig a hole in the wall and act like he's going into exile. Did it work? Did it change the people's minds about whom they should worship? Would it work today? Perhaps, but probably not. I've seen more than one Pastor go into exile (leave) and the people cheer. They celebrate because the one who left had been so adamant about proclaiming the Word of the LORD and would not please their itching ears is gone. He/she had not been interested in the people's agenda, only God's. The people lament that they cannot keep a pastor; that they go through pastor after pastor, one every two or three years; yet, they cannot begin to imagine that maybe they had something to do with it. It must be the Bishop's fault for sending them pastors who just don't have a heart for the congregation.

Well, Ezekiel doesn't really leave. He pretends to as a sign, as a warning, that the people will go into exile. They will lose God's temple because of their closed eyes and ears. May God open our eyes and our hearts and our minds, that we might see and hear His truth that His people might desire to worship only Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ezekiel 11 - God's Glory With Us

The glory of the LORD is on the move. "The glory of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain east of it." (Ezekiel 11:23 NIV) Ezekiel, in his vision, sees the cherubim, along with God's glory leave the city of Jerusalem and move to the mountain east of it.

The people who were not sent into exile to Babylon; those who were left behind, continue to do evil. Their leaders give are giving them bad advice. They do not follow in the ways of the LORD, but according to the ways of the nations around them.

The word that comes to Ezekiel is one of warning and of hope. Those who are left behind will be driven out; but, those who are in exile will return, They will remove all the false idols from Jerusalem and worship the LORD. He will give them undivided hearts and put a new and right Spirit within them. (vs. 19)

Those who have been tried and refined during their exile will return to the LORD and to their homes. Those who were left behind to live and worship in Jerusalem have only learned to think higher of themselves than they ought and have their only their demise to look forward to.

There are times for all (most?) of us when our lives get a little rough. Those who love the LORD will return to Him. Those who think too much of themselves and love only themselves will not return. The road will get a lot rougher for them. It is God's good will that none should be lost. Let us all rejoice and be reconciled to Him. May the glory of God be present with us, to be seen by all.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 35 - Faithful As A Rekabite?

Jeremiah is still trying to get the people to change their ways. He is still trying to get them to listen to the LORD and follow in the way that He would have them go.

The Rekabites are used as an example of obedience and faithfulness. This family had been instructed, by their forefather, Jehonadab son of Rekab, never to drink wine, never to build homes for themselves; never to farm; rather, they were to live as nomads in tents and they would continue to live in the land for generations to come serving the LORD. These Rekabites actually listened. Even when Jeremiah tempted them with wine, they refused to drink. They did everything that they had been instructed to do by their forefather and the LORD promised that "Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.” (Jer 35:19)

On the other hand, the rest of the people remained hard-hearted and chose to do what they wanted to do and rejected the way of the LORD, their God, who had delivered them from the hands of Egypt. They rejected Him and would return to captivity.

I'm thinking that Jeremiah's attempts at changing the hearts and minds of these people with threats are going to end up pretty fruitless. Only the LORD can soften their hearts and it will be that they will not be softened until they spend some more time in the wilderness, in exile, in captivity.

I hope that we can all learn from the history of our forefathers... We shouldn't have to be threatened to get us to have faithful hearts. After all, look what the LORD has done for us... delivered us from the bondage of sin, by the precious blood of His own Son.

So why is it that some will be faithful to the way in which they should go and others will not? May God help us to be more like the Rekabites: faithful in the way that we should go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 29 - The LORD Has A Plan

The prophet Jeremiah and the false prophet Shemaiah are sending letters between Jerusalem and Babylon. Shemaiah continues to lie about what the LORD says and seeks to do harm to Jeremiah. Jeremiah advises the people who have been exiled to Babylon to settle down and help the city in which they live to prosper for in doing so they too will prosper and in seventy years their families will return to Jerusalem. Shemaiah on the other hand does not offer such wisdom. He gives the people false hope in telling them they only have two years in Babylon and then they will return. If they listen to him, they will be wasting some very precious gifts, not the least of them being years of their time as they do nothing but rebel. Jeremiah promises that the LORD says because Shemaiah persists in preaching rebellion against the LORD; in witnessing falsely to the will of God, that he and his descendants will suffer.

It is sometimes very difficult to accept the LORD's will. Very often, His will is not what we would desire for ourselves. But know this:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”" (Jer 29:11-14 NIV)

Take that leap of faith and trust that no matter what you are going through today, the LORD has a plan for you and it is a very good plan - the best!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 24 - Exile or Captivity?

The first wave of exiles or captives are on their way to Babylon. Whether one sees these deportations as exiles or captivities, depends on whose point of view you are looking at it from. Those who are going to Babylon for their good are being exiled. Those who are going to Babylon for their hurt, are captives. In reality they are all exiles and captives at the same time.

But, Jeremiah's vision of two baskets of figs makes it clear that those whose hearts will turn to the LORD will return to the land that He has promised. This exile is for their good in the long run. Those whose hearts are hard against the LORD will suffer greatly in their captivity. They will suffer much harm.

For almost forty years I had felt like I had been exiled. We have moved around quite a bit. I have unpacked into fourteen homes in during that time. I thoroughly enjoyed living in most of those places. It was good. I learned and grew a lot. Finally, I am in the home where I think I will eventually get to die. Every once in awhile the grass looks greener elsewhere (especially when our winters last 'till June), but the thought passes rather quickly and I am content to stay. But, I often wonder if the exile is really over. I am thinking that it is not. The exile is turning out for the good. I may never move away from Aura. But, one day I will go home to the land promised to all who believe. I await the day to enter into the fullness of the Kingdom as I pass through the gateway called death.

Don't worry. I am not suicidal. Rather, I have a great hope in the day when I no longer have to wander through the wilderness of sin, but am welcomed into my Father's home, as He has promised and in His time. As St. Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me." (Philippians 1:21-26 NIV)

Are you an exile or captive? I think it depends completely how you choose to live your life here on earth; freely as a child of God or as a slave to the temptations of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Jeremiah 16 - The Warning Relevant For Today?

I am thinking that the LORD sure gave Israel a lot of warning and time to repent before He sent them into exile and captivity in Babylon. He warned them and warned them that the worship of their false gods was going to have some consequences. But, they did not listen to His promise of destruction through Jeremiah. They simply did not understand that they were bringing a curse upon the land and that God knew every one of their actions. There was nothing done in secret that God could not see. He saw it all. He sees it all, even today.

The consequences were going to be bad. Don't bother marrying or having children in that time, they are warned, for your children will die of deadly diseases in the land that you are being exiled to. There will be no joy or gladness in those days.

All had turned away from God. All had done what was evil in His sight. Therefore, the LORD promises to bring them back to Himself. 

“Therefore I will teach them—
    this time I will teach them
    my power and might.
Then they will know
    that my name is the Lord." (Jer 16:21)

But, there is hope even in this dire warning. There will be a day as they live in captivity that they will learn to turn to the LORD and they will say: "Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress..." (Jer 16:19) And.. the LORD will restore them to the land which He had driven them from. The LORD will have mercy upon His children who had strayed and desired to be returned to the land (the kingdom) that He had promised them.

Every now and then a few members of my congregation mention that they would like me to try to make the scriptures sound more relevant for today, use a few more personal, timely examples. And... I think, I should probably not go there, by using clear examples. I'm thinking that if I narrow it down more than scripture already has it becomes to easy for everyone to point the finger at someone else. I believe that the exhortations of the LORD through Jeremiah to stop worshipping false idols and turn to the LORD is already quite relevant for today. If we are honest with ourselves, we should be able to see quite clearly the examples in our own lives and the trouble that we are bringing upon ourselves as we seek to serve other gods and to build up little kingdoms of our own. Seek first the kingdom of God... Seek the land that He has promised and care for that land, before you find yourself exiled in a land that holds you in captivity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 12 - I Will Praise You, LORD

Into exile - out of exile. Over and over again, the people of God turn their back on Him, they go into exile, they repent, and receive grace, mercy, and a multitude of blessings in their return from the LORD. And... when they receive their freedom they rejoice.

So, too, will all people rejoice as they receive the salvation given to them through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

In that day you will say:

“I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned awayand you have comforted me." (Isa 12:1 NIV)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nehemiah 1 - Walls Are Down

What an awesome prayer to an awesome God!

God's people had sinned and were sent into the wilderness in exile.  They finally return, but find that the walls had broken down.  They are in trouble and disgrace.   Nehemiah prays daily for Israel.  He confesses their sins and asks God to bless them.  

Walls have been torn down.  By our own sinful desires, walls that should be standing no longer exist.  God's people have turned their backs on Him and find themselves alone and in exile.  What is to be done?  Pray...

Open your ears, dear LORD.  Hear the prayers lifted before you daily for all who have been scattered into the wilderness.  Bring them back, gather your people, and bless them by your almighty hand, your great power.

Ezra 2 - Exiles Return!

What a company returning from exile!  Can you imagine the impact on the cities they moved from and to? 

I was wondering about all those people today who mark the box Christian or one of the various denominations on the various forms that ask for religious affiation.  Are they in exile?  Will they return to worship the LORD?  Now, I know someone is thinking that they can worship without the community of saints. They can sit under a tree and pray or on the golf course and thank God for the green.  Yeah, right!  Well, I don't play golf.  And... as much as I love to sit under a tree and pray, you still need the community of saints.  There is a whole Body of Christ out there.  Get connected to it!  I have said it before (multitudes of times) and I will say it again: 
     "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom 10:17

Please don't tell me you are a Christian, if you never take the time to hear God's word or even read it!  How do we develop relationships with friends or family members?  Maybe, by getting to know them?  It's no different for our relationship with Jesus Christ.  We get to know Jesus by hearing  about Him by others who love Him.

For those who claim membership in a church body and haven't entered that worship center in years - return from exile!  Attend worship with the congregation you haven't worshipped with in decades.  For those who do not presently have a place to worship with other saints, find one.  And... for the rest of us, we need to get busy seeking them out and help them as Cyrus helped God's people to be released from captivity.  Bring the word of God to them if they will not come to you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Chronicles 36 - Last Chapter - Into Exile

Some peoples never learn.  Hard-hearted, after running through their last hard-hearted kings, the Israelites are given into to the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, by God, exiled to Babylon for 70 years.   One would thing the people would learn, but, no.  They ran through kings like water runs in a waterfall; yet, they would not repent.  They would not turn back to the LORD.  They lose their temple.  They lose their home.  They lose their freedom.  Into captivity they go. 

In the end, it is only by the softening of the Persian's king's heart, by God, that the people are allowed to return to rebuild the temple. 

Sometimes, it seems, we can be so hard-hearted toward the LORD, that it takes a non-believer, with a heart softened by God, to steer us back on course.  I have (and I'm sure if you think about it, you probably have, too) often been turned around by someone who worships others gods or as some would say they worship no gods.  For whatever reason or however He does it, God can use anyone to soften our hearts toward Him; to bring us back to Worship; to renew our faith.  The Holy Spirit is not limited to just work on and through Christians.  The Holy Spirit can do whatever the Holy Spirit wants.  He is God and God works in ways we can even begin to fathom.   

Well, I am back from vacation and heading to the church very soon for Bible study.  May God soften the hearts of all people (especially those who say they are Christian) so that they would study and hear His word more faithfully.

1 Chronicles 9 - Faith

..."And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith."  (9:1)

The genealogy we read today lists those who first returned to Jerusalem so that they might be returned to the presence of God at/in the temple (tent).  A wonderful reminder that although we are faithless, God is faithful.  His intent is to restore us to a relationship with Him.  I pray often that the hearts and minds of people would be opened so that they would have a better understanding of God's will - His will for us to be restored in relationship to Him.  It is all about relationship.  It is no wonder that so many have such a hard time accepting Christ, when a huge segment of the church on earth, presents that Christianity is about not having to worry about where you're going after you die.  It is presented as an alternative for those who are afraid to die.  In reality, it's not about avoiding consequences or punishment.  It's about relationship.  It is about being restored to God's presence, about living in His presence and peace - now as well as for all eternity.  God was calling the exiles back to His presence which, at the time, was present in the tabernacle. 

I did run into a little bit of difficulty as I read verse 28.  So... the people are being returned to their land after they had been exiled because of their faithlessness.  Now... they have to have guards who count the untensils, apparently, to ensure that none had been stolen... from the tent of God!  Kind of amazes me, that there was the fear and probability that people would steal the untensils from the temple!  Exactly how much faith had been restored to these people?  Sounds to me like they are already on the downward slide to faithlessness. 

I remember as a young adult returning to my home town.  We had been living in California.  I went to the church in the very rural town (Paynesville, MI) I had grown up in, to pray.  It was locked!  I was aghast!  It still bothers me that there are no sanctuaries open 24 hours a day where someone can go just to sit (or kneel) and pray.  I was told the council had decided to lock the church up so no one would be tempted to steal anything.  No one had stolen anything that I heard about.  It was a "just in case" situation.  It's all a very sad reality.  But, I'm not sure which is sadder... the fact that someone might steal from a church or that congregations in small communities trust their neighbors so little that they lock their doors, keeping everyone from entering the sanctuary, except on Sunday mornings.  In many (my guess is most)congregations, it's only a select few who are allowed to have keys to the church and there even may be a designated "keeper of the keys."  :)

God's Peace and may He help us to be more faithful to Him and to all His children. 

2 Kings 25 - Exiled

The king eats at the king's table...  Only a remnant left in Judah to till the land.  How sad.  The LORD has led His chosen people so far, but they turned their backs on Him and they find themselves exiled from the land He had given them.

I have always found it interesting, that King Jehoiachin, after 37 years in captivity,  is freed by and eats at King Evil-merodoch's table.  After 37 years, it seems, that the people have adjusted (maybe too well?) to being exiled from the land that God had given them.   Being exiled by God, just doesn't sound like something I could ever be comfortable with.  Of course, they weren't totally exiled.  We know that God was with them.  He never left his people, even though, as a people, they had left Him, time and time again.

This final chapter in the book of 2 Kings also reminds me of the desolation that comes with being exiled from the presence of God.  The temple has been torn down.  There is no place left to worship God...  No place to gather to hear His Word.  Zion's fellowship congregation is in Kemi of Russian Karelia.  For years our brothers and sisters in Russia had no place to worship.  The churches of every denomination were torn down or remodeled for other purposes.  Faithful Pastors were exiled to prisons in Siberia.  Although, Christianity suffered a terrible blow, God remained present with the people.  He did not leave them.  With the help of God, they met in private homes and in cemeteries so that they could share God's promises with one another.  Faith remained and has survived.  Congregations are growing and going in this place.  Thanks be to God!

There are times when I wonder if professed Christians understand that apathy toward God and the worship of God leaves Christianity wide open for another exile.  Of course there are multitudes of faithful, but there are also multitudes who say "Lord, Lord," and do not know Him.  I wonder if/when it will happen in this country (USA) that we are no longer free to worship publically, but in order to safeguard our families lives we will have to worship behind closed doors.  May God grant that we don't have to hit this bottom, before the people will turn and receive His Kingdom, His power, His love, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

2 Kings 24

Well, they are on their way into exile and captivity.  Jerusalem is captured.  The LORD is accomplishing what He promised to do because of the evil that was done in the sight of the LORD.

God had given them so much, but they had forgotten how He had delivered them from Egypt.  They had forgotten how they had to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years because of their lack of trust in Him.  Even after receiving the promised land, they did not trust the LORD, their God and followed after and gave offerings to other gods of their own making and imaginations.  And... now they are heading, once again, toward exile and bondage.

What is it exactly about the human race that we just cannot give credit to where credit is due?  Why is it that we insist on NOT giving thanks and glorifying God?

May our hearts be softened and our whole beings turned to Worship the only One who can deliver us...