August 8, 2016: SOAP #2440: Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

Scripture: Jeremiah (NIV) 2:27 They say to wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’ 28 Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.

Observation: Israel had turned their back on Jehovah, their God. They had chosen to make gods/idols out of wood and stone like the nations around them. But when things went bad, it was not the gods of wood and stone to which they looked, but to the living God, Jehovah. We treat God as though He has no feelings. But He can be greatly offended. He allows us to reap what we have sown. (Note verse 19.)

Application: In the fourth stanza of our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, we sing “…may this heaven rescued land praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation…” Surely the God who brought the judgment of the civil war to our nation for the sin of slavery will again bring judgment for destroying 55+ million unborn babies who were created in His image. We want to ignore God’s creative order. Yet, as judgment continues to increase on our nation, God will openly receive and forgive individuals who approach Him in humility and repentance. He will not save the USA, but He will save the church.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, guide me in praying. Help me make wise decisions in preparation for coming judgment. Give me strength to do what I need to do. Give me courage to say what needs to be said. Be glorified in my life, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!