Jeremiah_25

Scripture - What stood out?

Jeremiah 25:37  The peaceful meadows will be laid waste because of the fierce anger of the Lord.Observation - What does it say?Jeremiah is explaining to the various nations what is about to happen to them because they have not listened to God. It's not very pleasant sounding. This is a chapter that highlights God’s wrath and His fierce anger.Understanding - What does it mean?A God of fierce anger...Is a tough pill to swallow for many of us Christians. We find it hard to imagine because we have seen what fierce anger, we have seen what wrath looks like and it is not pretty. We can’t imagine a just, merciful, loving God inflicting horrible pain and/or passing judgement on people. (See the book of Job)May I encourage you however with the wise words of a pastor who has taught me a thing or two about God of both the old and new testament. He taught me that God is an infinitely powerful, all-knowing being without a speck of evil in Him.The wrath, the fierce anger that you and I have seen and relate to is predominantly based on our experiences with people- with people of anger.  But that is not God’s wrath and that is not God’s anger. (See the book of Job again) Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?I propose that God’s anger is actually perfect. Because God is perfect. His love is pure. His anger is pure. The closest thing I have experienced to God’s perfect anger is getting disciplined by my father growing up. I was punished (it always hurt). The reason for my punishment was explained to me. But then my dad would always end those sessions with a hug and a kiss, sometimes there were tears in his eyes as he explained it hurt him to discipline me, and he tried his hardest to communicate his love for me.As you read about the God of wrath in the old testament I pray that you would be open to that same God of love. That perhaps His ways aren’t your ways. And that even in His judgement and discipline there are things to learn from an all-knowing, all-powerful God that is always good.

May I never stop believing and trusting in your ways O Lord. In the name of Jesus, amen.

 

-kenneth lee

 

Psalm 42

Scripture

Psalm 42:1-2

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

 

Observation

This psalmist paints a vivid picture of longing for the Presence fo God. They further their point by using an analogy to describe their eagerness to meet with God.

 

Understanding

Picture this with me: you’ve just completed a pretty intense game of basketball with a friend. It was close but you won. As your adrenaline begins to fade to come to the startling realization that you are thirsty, so like any other person you go to your fridge to see what you have. Much to your dismay their is nothing that will satisfy the thirst that you have. There’s no water, no gatorade, not even a soda. You’d probably go through great lengths to get your thirst quenched, right? Because nothing for the present time, and in your fridge, can satisfy.

I think this is the exact state that we find ourselves spiritually right now. However, the only difference is we have turned to other things to quench our thirst. Things that only distract and momentarily take away the dry sensation on your tongue, but don’t truly satisfy. I think the reason that these verses really struck me was because my soul yearns for a drink of Living Water. I’ll be honest, I’ve settled during this time too because I feel “too tired” to pursue what my soul desires. I want these verses to be my cry every waking moment of every single day for me. I want to constantly desire communion with the Creator, but it starts with an inward decision not to settle but to actively chase the one that will satisfy.

 

Life Application

Recently, I have been fasting something once every week, and I want to challenge you all to do the same. I guarantee that your soul will get a little hydration if it’s feeling dehydrated like mine. And please, make these verses the cry of your heart too.

“As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after You

You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You”

-Allison Khan

Psalm 41

Scripture “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— He does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” -Psalms 41:1-3 NIV Observation-What does it say?  

This is a Psalm of Comfort, written by King David.

 

 

Understanding-What does it mean?  

Comfort and Deliverance comes from God alone.

 

 

Life Application  Run to the One True Source of Comfort.  Does anyone need any comfort right now? I feel like all of us can or did at one point or another in the last 3 and a half months and into the present. Let's be like King David and run to God, our ever present help in trouble and our only true Source of comfort. -Michelle Gaddi