SOAP 08/16/2014; Jeremiah 22:21

Today's reading: 2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

S) "²¹ I spoke to you in your prosperity;
But you said, ‘I will not listen!’
This has been your practice from your youth,
That you have not obeyed My voice."

Jeremiah 22:21 (NASB)

O) Every time the Israelites (both in Israel and Judah) would start to do well, they would abandon the LORD and disobey His voice, going their own way, to their own demise. Over and over, God would reach out to His people, but it was to no avail. Their pursuit of their own hearts would inevitably lead them to bondage under a foreign oppression, and it would remind them of their dependence on the LORD. This was a cycle that repeated from the time of Moses, through Judges, and on through all of the kings. It culminates in Jeremiah, where the last kings of Judah prove themselves unfaithful for the last time.

A) This verse is particularly concerning, because the most prosperous time of my life (financially speaking) coincided with the my slow abandonment of God. He was speaking to me during my prosperity, but I was not listening. As a youth, I was poor. It's not really accurate to say that this verse, when it says, "from your youth," is applicable to me - until I consider my spiritual life. My beginnings with God, my spiritual youth, began when I needed the LORD in my poverty (and all of its related difficulties). Then, in my prosperity, I stopped listening to Him. I was not obeying His voice. So now, I must consider, in the relative financial struggles I've had as an adult, particularly as I have pursued God, has He been using them to keep me close? And, more importantly, if He has, then how do I react to that. I'm tempted to be discouraged, but when I approach this application with humility, and love for my God, then I confess by His sovereignty, that His ways are better. If this is how He wants to keep me close, then I am thankful He has chosen to keep me close.

P) Father, Your ways are good, even if they don't align with my admittedly-small-view hopes. I confess that I want Your will for my life, even if that means financial hardship - even if that hardship is a life-long struggle. If I never have financial prosperity, but that keeps me desperately dependent on You, chasing You, being thankful for every provision, then that is exactly what I want. If it can be another way, then I ask for it, but not my will Father, but Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/15/2014; Jeremiah 19:10-11

Today's reading: Jeremiah 18, 19, 20; Psalm 93; John 17

S) "¹⁰ Then you are to break the jar in the sight of the men who accompany you ¹¹ and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, "Just so will I break this people and this city, even as one breaks a potter’s vessel, which cannot again be repaired; and they will bury in Topheth because there is no other place for burial."'"

Jeremiah 19:10-11 (NASB)

O) Immediately, upon reading this verse, I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, but it was a reminder in contrast. While the verse in the NT is one of encouragement, to show that we can endure anything through Jesus, despite the fragility of a potter's jar, the above verses are a reminder that, apart from the LORD, destruction is inevitable. There is also a lot of symbolism in the object of the earthen vessel. When you read the previous verses, it becomes clear that the jar is not simply representing the people, but it must simultaneously be considered that it was formed by the LORD of hosts. Furthermore, there is precedent in the phrase, "as one breaks a potter's vessel," because that was not done as an accident, but a purposeful action. If you refer back to Leviticus 15:12, you'll find that the main reason for intentionally smashing a clay pot, was because it had become defiled - and there was no remedy once that happened.

A) Very much as I wrote about Lev. 15:12, my response here is one of humble thanks, that I don't have to be smashed! Through Jesus, my defiled and impure earthly (earthen) vessel can be redeemed and supernaturally cleansed, and does not have to be destroyed. Just as important, is to remember that God's holiness cannot be compromised. I should have reverent fear of the LORD, who must ultimately destroy anything that is unholy.

P) Father, Your holiness stands in stark contrast to my broken, defiled, and sinful flesh - my earthen vessel. Thank You for redeeming me, and purifying me by the blood-sacrifice of Your Son, so that I do not have to be destroyed in Your righteous judgment. Only You can repair the brokenness in my life. Thank You for that repair, that redemption, that restoration. Remind me that You are a holy God, calling me into that same holiness, by Jesus Christ. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/14/2014; Psalm 96:1-2

Today's reading: Jeremiah 16, 17, Psalm 96; John 16

S) "¹ Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day."

Psalm 96:1-2 (NASB)

O) This Psalm is pretty much entirely admonition to praise the LORD, especially in the hearing and view of other nations, other peoples. There are points in the Psalm where it shows it's not exclusively evangelical (if you will, see vv. 6, 8, 13). These first two verses, though, set a tone that really make their points, regardless of the hearer, regardless of who might be seeing and listening.
Sing... a new song...
Proclaim... His salvation...

A) One of my absolute-favorite Christmas movies, is "Elf" and one of my favorite scenes, is when he first meets his dad. His dad thinks he's a singing telegram, so Buddy starts a song on the spot. It's an entertaining reminder of child-like innocence, that shows how a child will sing to their parent - just because. I've had the joy of seeing this firsthand, when my kids were each pretty small. Sometimes I forget that I am that same child to my Father in heaven. He just wants to hear me sing, and He just wants to hear what's on my heart.
     The second verse really convicted me, though. I don't consider myself much of an evangelist (although I've felt plenty draw in particular circumstances). However, this verse is not a call to evangelism, necessarily. What I realized, as I re-read this, was that I have so much opportunity to proclaim good tidings of His salvation, without ever even trying to evangelize someone. I think what happened to me (and perhaps it happens to others) is that I sometimes think about this type of proclamation, so much as evangelism, that I forget to do it for my own sake! I need to change that. Even within my family, on a daily basis, I need to proclaim how faithful, loving, freeing, kind, compassionate, and redeeming He has been!

P) Father, I am sorry that I have not sung to You as often as You would probably like. Help me to let go of pretense and false-dignity, and just let my heart pour out of my mouth in literal singing! Also, forgive me for forsaking the call to proclaim Your salvation everyday. There is never going to be a shortage of material, because You are so incredibly gracious to me. Help me to be committed to sharing those good tidings daily, even if it's just within my family or close friends. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/13/2014; Jeremiah 13:15-16

Today's reading: Jeremiah 13, 14, 15; John 15

S) "¹⁵ Listen and give heed, do not be haughty,
For the Lord has spoken.
¹⁶ Give glory to the Lord your God,
Before He brings darkness
And before your feet stumble
On the dusky mountains,
And while you are hoping for light
He makes it into deep darkness,
And turns it into gloom."

Jeremiah 13:15-16 (NASB)

O) Jeremiah knew full well, that the people would not heed his warnings (see Jeremiah 7:27), but it was still his burden to warn them. This specific warning was to a specific people about a specific time - make no mistake. However, this warning still holds a lot of truth. These people were facing a darkness that they didn't know was coming. Jeremiah knew that, once the hardships really started, some of the people would begin to realize their fault. He also knew, however, that it would be too late for them. When God puts things against us, it is very humbling, and that is good. However, it is much better for us if we will humble ourselves before God has things against us. Before darkness, before stumbling, before mountains, before deep darkness, before gloom.

A) The first verse, for me, speaks to the whole of the Bible at once. The Bible is the accumulation of the holy words of God - what He has spoken. That isn't to say that it is all that He has spoken, per se, or even all that He will speak. However, knowing that 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that the Bible gives us all we need, that means that I should take the Bible wholly, listening and giving heed to what it says. To be sure, I believe God the Father still disciplines His children. I actually pray that He does humble me, however that takes, because that is proof-positive that He loves me (see Hebrews 12:5-12). At the same time, I will save myself much grief if I humble myself beforehand. Additionally, if I am humbling myself, and times of darkness come anyway, then I do have the hope of light (see Romans 5:3-5).

P) Father, You are holy and just, and Your understanding and foresight are well beyond me. So, according to Your will, discipline me as You see fit. I pray that You humble me as much, and however, You determine is best for me. I humble myself to know that I may not even be aware of how haughty I have become. Discipline me as a good father disciplines the son he loves, only in Your perfect wisdom and knowledge. When darkness comes, when I face tribulation, find me in the righteousness of Your Son, being humbled already, so that I may have the hope of light, and I can exult in the tribulation. Before darkness comes, open my eyes to see myself clearly, open my ears to hear Your Word and to listen and give heed. Help me to humble myself before... before the darkness, before I stumble, before the dusky mountains, before the deep darkness, before the gloom, before... In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/12/2014; Jeremiah 11:14

Today's reading: Jeremiah 10, 11, 12; John 14

S) "¹⁴ Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster."

Jeremiah 11:14 (NASB)

O) It was very common for prophets to take up a cry for the people to whom they were sent. God would give a warning of destruction, and the prophet would be moved to lament, and would cry out for mercy for the people. It was almost as common as the very repetitive up-and-down nature of the nation of Israel in following the LORD. Here, we see something different, though. Jeremiah was sent at the last days of Judah, the last days of a physical kingdom for God's people. They had finally found the end of God's patience in the Promised Land. The LORD was certain in His judgment, and prayer for mercy would have been outside of His will, out of place.

A) God has not changed, but there is a temptation to think that since Jesus came, He doesn't judge people. I think that the story of Ananias and Sapphira (see Acts 5:1-11) pretty well puts that to rest. Beyond that, we know that God the Father will still discipline His children (see Hebrews 12:10-11). I think the wrath/judgment/discipline of God is still put forth, but we don't always understand it the same way. So, how does this apply to me? First, I think I can pretty easily discard the notion that I am a prophet who might need to prophesy destruction. However, I am asked to pray for people often. Sometimes, I think people ask for prayer to alleviate a struggle that might actually be a discipline from the LORD (I know I have prayed through many of those times for myself, and in hindsight saw that they were clearly discipline from my Father all along). So, the key is to follow the lead that Jesus gave us, regarding how we ought to pray (see Matthew 6:7-13). "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," is perhaps the most powerful thing we can pray. Like Jeremiah, sometimes I think I'm not supposed to pray for people - at least not for what they're asking - and so I shall pray for His will to be done.

P) Father, Your wisdom is far, far beyond my comprehension. I thank You for the infallible truth of the holy Bible, though, and the assurances it gives. Thank You for the example of prayer that we were given by Your Son. Remind me of the power, and freedom, and accuracy that is established when I humbly subject my prayers to Your will being done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/11/2014; Jeremiah 9:23-24

Today's reading: Jeremiah 7, 8, 9; John 13

S) "²³ Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord."

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NASB)

O) It's a funny thing to consider that God actually wants us to boast, and just under the right circumstances. This passage comes after a lamentation Jeremiah wrote for Zion, because of the impending judgment. A large part of the problem that would face the Judeans, is that they would rebel against the word of the LORD, when Jeremiah tells them to go willingly into exile. There were many false prophets who arose, and predicted great victory for Jerusalem. They boasted of wisdom, might, and riches; they should have correctly, sincerely, diligently sought to know the LORD and His lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness.

A) Because I struggle(d) with arrogant pride, when I wasn't submitted to God, I get very pensive about things that are related to prideful issues. So, when I read this passage, I was a little tentative. It is clear, though, that boasting that I know the LORD, and I know His character, is not the same as boasting about wisdom, might, or riches. The key here, is that there is a sort of, self-regulated catch. If I truly know the character of God, and I know He delights in lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, then I am humbled by those things. In my humility, I acknowledge the grace of those things. So, when I boast because "I know the LORD," I am doing so while humbly proclaiming that my understanding of Him is solely through the grace He has given. But now, here is the real challenge for me - I think my pendulum has swung so far away from any boasting, that I have a hard time being forthright with my praise sometimes. I have a hard time boasting in the Lord, or the cross of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 6:14) and what it has done to change my life. I need to humbly allow that God wants me to brag about Him, and what He has done in my life. I need to be careful that I am humble, but I think I need to boast about His character, who He is, and that I know Him.

P) Father, above all else, let me be laid low so that You can be exalted on high. However that manifests in my life, I pray that You are glorified by my humility. Open my eyes and ears, to know You clearly, God, so that I can boast about You correctly, humbly. Let Your will be done in my life, however You will. Let me completely forego human wisdom, might, or riches, and only seek to know You more, and to know how You exercise lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/10/2014; Jeremiah 5:1

Today's reading: Jeremiah 5, 6; John 12

S) "¹ Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
And look now and take note.
And seek in her open squares,
If you can find a man,
If there is one who does justice, who seeks truth,
Then I will pardon her."

Jeremiah 5:1 (NASB)

O) Similar to the discussion that the LORD had with Abraham, about Sodom, in Genesis 18:22-33, here God asks Jeremiah to seek even a single faithful person in the city of Jerusalem. There is something to be said, that God jumps straight to a single person who seeks truth, because when Abraham pleads with the LORD, he narrows it down to ten, and God agrees to spare Sodom. That says two things - first, that Jerusalem was possibly worse-off than Sodom; second, that God was more willing to offer mercy to Jerusalem. That second point is the bigger point, I think, and the reason I highlighted this verse in the first place. In this verse, it isn't even Jeremiah who seeks mercy for the people. It is the LORD who brings up this offer for mercy! Too often, I think we envision God as a judge, who is seeking to execute His wrath (as justified as it is), but then Jesus steps in, just in time, to stop the God-Judge from striking His gavel. More and more, as we read verses like the one above, we see that it is a compassionate God-Judge, who is delaying the gavel as long as He can, seeking some potential way to offer mercy, to pardon sins.

A) The first thing I considered, was the personal gratitude this creates in me. God is actively seeking to pardon me. That is the reason He sent Jesus to redeem me. The next thing I thought, was that there is only One who always did justice, only One who sought truth. Jesus was the One who fulfilled that quota. We are pardoned because of the righteousness of Jesus. I pray that God delays His punishment, until my loved ones can receive His pardon, through Jesus Christ.

P) Father, there is only One who completely did justice and sought truth. Only Your Son could fill that quota, but He perpetually fills that need, as the One who lives forever, doing justice and seeking truth. Please delay the execution of Your righteous judgment, for the sake of Christ, long enough for the people I love to see the pardon that You offer through Jesus Christ our Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.