SOAP 08/22/2015; Jeremiah 30:14

Today's reading: Jeremiah 28, 29, 30; 1 John 3

S) "¹⁴ All your lovers have forgotten you,
They do not seek you;
For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy,
With the punishment of a cruel one,
Because your iniquity is great
And your sins are numerous."

Jeremiah 30:14 (NASB)

O) This is the LORD, speaking to the people of Jerusalem. The lovers that God mentioned are certainly the idols that the people had been worshiping, but also the culture that they had adopted. Once Jerusalem fell under Babylon, they were stricken by God; that was their wound. When they were smitten, their idols were useless (the first type of lover), and their relationships with nearby nations evaporated as well. When they were wounded with this deep would, as from a cruel enemy (righteously wounded, because of their transgressions), only the LORD could heal them.

A) When times get really tough, we learn who our real friends are. The lie of sin, of idolatry, is false hope, false help, false healing. When I am stressed, and tempted to sin, the enemy is selling me a lie. If I reach for that idol, I will quickly discover that lover is a liar, and when my wound becomes real to me, and that false-lover will be gone. When my pride is swollen, my flesh becomes the idol and I am my own lover. Then, when haughtiness and pride leads to my stumbling, I quickly discover that loving myself is fruitless. In every case, sin hurts me. In every case, the only true lover I have, is the LORD my God, the lover of my soul. Only in Him can I find the healing I need. It should only ever be Him, whose love I seek.

P) Father, Your love is so pure, so good, and so complete, that it is all I truly need. Sin deceives me, and temptation sells me lies. Too often, I still buy the false-advertising of false-lovers. Nothing about sin pays off they way it boasts. My sins hurt me, and sometimes I don't even see how deep those wounds are. Open my eyes to see all of this clearly, Father. Open my ears, to hear Your voice in the midst of temptation. Heal me, from these self-inflicted injuries, from the wounds that my sins deserve. Be glorified, in the gospel being manifested in my own brokenness and need. Let me be unashamed at my deep, deep need for Your healing and restoration. Let Your will be done, and receive all of the honor, glory, and praise. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/21/2015; Jeremiah 27:22

Today's reading: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1 John 2

S) "²² 'They will be carried to Babylon and they will be there until the day I visit them,' declares the LORD. 'Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.'"

Jeremiah 27:22 (NASB)

O) The legitimacy of of a prophet is completely tied to the outcome of his prophecies. While Jeremiah had been prophesying the overthrow of Jerusalem, and the exile of the inhabitants, there were many false-prophets, soothsayers, etc., assuring the king and people that no such conquest would befall them. The issue with believing one or the other, is that if (when) Jeremiah was proved a genuine prophet, it would be too late for the people to believe. In God's grace, another prophecy was given and Jeremiah presented a test, to show he was a righteous and all the rest were evil. Nebuchadnezzar had already carried away a lot of valuables from the temple of the LORD, but had left behind many notable bronze articles (the pillars, the sea, etc.). He challenged the false prophets to declare that those articles were safe (which was a wise challenge, since they were prone to positive prophecies). Meanwhile, Jeremiah delivered the prophecy from the above verse.

A) God's grace gives every opportunity to believe. The prophecy above reminds me that, while there is a final judgment for every person, there are divine interventions along the way, when God creates miraculous opportunities for people to believe. So, this is what I'm praying for the unbelievers that I love. What I must remember, though, is that this opportunity of grace that came for these Judeans, came at the cost of all the rest of the significant articles of the temple. Sometimes, God will strip is of everything that matters, if that's what it takes to get our attention. However, in that same grace, He may restore those things to us. Even if He doesn't, the beautiful truth is that we who believe, learn thT He alone is enough.

P) Father, thank You for being such a gracious God! You gave me grace, and took enough from me that You got my attention, and then You restored me to souch more than I could have understood. I pray for this same intervention of grace, for the loved ones in my life who do not believe, yet. Take from them, whatever is required, and get their attention. Restore what You will, but take what You must. Open their eyes and ears, soften them to the gospel. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/20/2015; Jeremiah 48:7

Today's reading: Jeremiah 48, 49; Psalm 67; 1 John 1

S) "⁷ For because of your trust in your own achievements and treasures,
Even you yourself will be captured;
And Chemosh will go off into exile
Together with his priests and his princes."

Jeremiah 48:7 (NASB)

O) This is judgment against Moab. What struck me in this chapter, is that they aren't really called out for their idolatry (not like the other nations, including Judah). But what we read in this verse, is the crux of their sin: their trust in themselves and the wealth they had amassed. In a simple sense, they had made themselves "self-sufficient" and therefore idolized themselves. In the end, their fate was the same as the nations who worshiped molten or graven images.

A) In today's western culture, I don't see a lot of statuesque idols. What I do see, is a barrage of advertisements telling me what I deserve. In a strange way, capitalism feeds on the idea that I am my own god. It can be exhausting to fight off a culture that thrives on my own self-worship. The solution is not a simple, rigid, resistance of culture. It is not enough to stop myself from worshiping myself. Instead, I need to change the attention of my worship from self to the LORD. By actively seeking to worship Him, I am humbling myself as I exalt Him.

P) Father, You deserve my worship. You alone are God. You alone will I exalt, serve, and revere as my holy God. Let my lips praise You, and my heart worship You alone. In my worship of You, let me not trust in my own abilities, or my own wealth. I have nothing if I don't have You. Be exalted, as I humble myself before You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/19/2015; Jeremiah 47:3

Today's reading: Jeremiah 45, 46, 47; Psalm 105; John 21

S) "³ Because of the noise of the galloping hoofs of his stallions,
The tumult of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels,
The fathers have not turned back for their children,
Because of the limpness of their hands,"

Jeremiah 47:3 (NASB)

O) This is part of a prophecy against the Philistines. While it may seem unfathomable, to desert children in a time of war, fear makes people do stupid things. These men were not only afraid to fight, to defend themselves from invaders, they were afraid to defend their families. The invasion is only described as a flood from the north, but it is a fairly obvious allusion to the Babylonians, who were invading the region, and were most notably on their way to Judah. It is important to remember that the LORD was using Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar to judge the nations. With that in mind, the dread that the Philistines felt is reminiscent of the heart-melting fear that had befallen other opponents of Israel over the centuries. We aren't told explicitly, that the fear the Philistines felt was supernatural, but we do know that they didn't have supernatural courage.

A) While the abandonment of children is always despicable, it is particularly heinous in a time of war. However, as I said, fear makes people do stupid things. So, with that in mind, the only realistic, reliable way, to ensure that I never find myself in this position, is to rid myself of fear. The way to do that, is to trust in the LORD fully, so I fear Him alone. The courage I have in the Holy Spirit (see 2 Timothy 1:7), means I will always have the strength and will to protect my family, as the LORD wills.

P) Father, You alone will I fear. You are holy, mighty, sovereign, and just. Let me fear You alone, forever. Give me boldness, courage, and faith to step into any fray to do what is right. Prepare my hands for action, especially to protect and serve my family, to accomplish Your will. May You receive all of the glory, when I protect them without fear. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/18/2015; Jeremiah 35:18-19

Today's reading: Jeremiah 26, 35, 36; John 20

S) "¹⁸ Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commands and done according to all that he commanded you; ¹⁹ therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always.'"'"

Jeremiah 35:18-19 (NASB)

O) God directed Jeremiah to find the house of Rechab, because He knew of their faithfulness to Him through their obedience to their father's command. There is a promise within verse 19, similar to the promise the LORD made to King David (that he would never cease to have a descendant on the throne), and Jonadab would always have descendants serving the LORD. There are a few things that strike me about this promise. First, it is specific and cannot be taken out of context. This is not the type of promise that can directly translate to a modern believer, since it was a conditional promise based on events that aren't really repeatable. Jonadab gave his children specific commands for a specific time, and they obeyed, "therefore…" Second, this was not a universal salvation. God didn't promise that all of his descendants would stand before Him, only that there would be some continually. At the same time, here we have God looking into the future at what will be, not what may be. So, this alludes to God's sovereignty, but the fact that not all of his descendants will be saved, calls into question, why not all? While we don't have the exact answers, we do know that God desires that all would repent and be saved (see 2 Peter 3:9). So, in the end, what we see at work is that a man taught his children well. As a result, they obeyed. As a result of that obedience, some were saved, and some of his family would continue to be saved, from generation to generation. In a sense, the story of the Rechabites manifested the truth of Proverbs 22:6.



A) The most simple application, is that I teach my children well. It continues to be a sore spot in my heart, that my relationship with my own dad has failed, ultimately because there is no Christian foundation between us. My inability to relate to my own dad, in any areas of the Way, is a motivation in itself that I teach my own children well. I so desire to give them what I never had, to give them lifelong counsel about the ways of God. I so desire to disciple them, to be a lifelong mentor about personal devotion to Christ, and what it means to be a godly spouse, and to raise children of faith. I don't know of God would ever tell me the same thing He said to the Rechabites, but He doesn't have to say it for me to want it. Ultimately, I have faith that His model for discipleship works. As long as I am raising my children to seek Him, to know te LORD  then I have confidence I will always have descendants standing before my God. If my children learn to teach their own children, to teach the next generation, to disciple their children in Christ, personally, then I know it will continue on and on until the Day of our Lord.

P) Father, You are worth it all. That is the bottom line, basic, foundational truth that I w any my children to learn, and to teach their own kids. It doesn't matter what "it" is, You are always worth it. I know I lack the wisdom and discipline in myself to see this desire accomplished, Lord. Start with me, discipline me to seek You with my whole heart, and all my strength, and my innermost thoughts. Let my efforts be full of Your grace, as I try my best to raise my own kids to seek You fully. Soften their hearts, and give them open ears and eyes. Let them faithfully seek You all their days. Let them also learn the importance of teaching their own children, that generation after generation of my descendants, would learn to place their trust in You, LORD God. Let Your will be done for my posterity. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/17/2015; Jeremiah 25:29

Today's reading: Jeremiah 23, 24, 25; John 19

S) "^{29 '}For behold, I am beginning to work calamity in this city which is called by My name, and shall you be completely free from punishment? You will not be free from punishment; for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth,' declares the LORD of hosts."

Jeremiah 25:29 (NASB)

O) Jeremiah was told to take a cup of wine from the hand of God, a cup of the LORD'S wrath, and give it to the leaders of all the surrounding nations. Naturally, they would refuse, but the message to them was that they would indeed be forced to drink. Then, this verse follows, and it shows a few things about God's character. For one thing, God is just, and no one will escape judgment. Second, it reveals again that the judgment starts with the house of God. Last, it shows that the discipline of the Father, to His own children, serves as a form of evangelism, actually revealing His glory, as His character is displayed.

A) In grace, I am counted as one of God's own children, because of the gospel. In that same way, I am not going to be judged on my own, but with the covering of the blood of Jesus Christ. In Christ, I will find mercy, because the judgment and wrath that my sins deserve, were poured out upon Jesus Christ at the cross. That judgment at the cross is still the single greatest point of evangelism. Even without a waiting wrath, there is still discipline from the LORD, my Father. That discipline can come in a variety of ways, and it primarily serves to bring about righteous character in my own life, but it also still serves as revelation of God's glory, if I am willing to humbly and transparently talk to others about the struggles I face. Every storm is an opportunity to advertise the refuge I have in Jesus Christ. Every attack I endure can highlight the strong tower that is the LORD my God.

P) Father, let Your glory be seen in the nations! Even as I face discipline, let me remember that it is for Yoyr glory and my good. Help me be bold with the gospel, to proclaim plainly, but lovingly, that Your judgment is real - but so is the mercy we can have in Christ Jesus. Let Your will be done in my life, and with my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/16/2015; 2 Kings 24:7

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

S) "⁷ The king of Egypt did not come out of his land again, for the king of Babylon had taken all that belonged to the king of Egypt from the brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates."

2 Kings 24:7 (NASB)

O) The nation of Israel had a long and messy history with Egypt. In a lot of ways, she was like an ex-girlfriend. When Isaac and his eleven sons faced famine, they sought Egypt as a refuge, since they had food (because God had already put his twelfth son there, preparing the way). But, like every relationship that wasn't meant to be, Egypt turned against the nation of Israel, and there was slavery, and murder, and a basket-case-baby, and a princess, a burning bush, and plagues, and a parted Red Sea. Through all of that, a newborn nation learned of the living God, to who they were betrothed. Then, the going got a little tough and they wanted to return to Egypt, who had enslaved them and murdered their babies. And so began an on-again-off-again relationship of Israelites who sought Egypt for salvation, instead of the LORD. Now, fast forward several hundred years, and the remnant of Israel, the kingdom of Judah, was about to face exile. In what seems almost, like sovereign anticipation, God used Babylon to first remove the comforting idol of Egypt, so that when His judgment was executed against Judah, they wouldn't even have the temptation to seek Egypt. God had removed all their false-options for hope, so that they could not negotiate the discipline on their own terms, whatsoever.

A) When I am facing difficult circumstances, it's easy to believe the enemy of my soul is conspiring against me. However, there is no denying the discipline of my Heavenly Father. Furthermore, when circumstances begin to look dismal, and my normal recourses seem unavailable, and all of the rational, logical, earthly resolutions seen to be hopeless, I need to remember that it could very well be that my Father has designed it exactly so, that I might turn back to Him alone, to receive the discipline He designed to bring about godly character in me, as one of His children. Sometimes, a good father lets his child make a foolish choice, if he knows his child will learn from the consequences. Sometimes, though, a father will remove options to ensure his child receives necessary discipline. If God removes options, then we know those options were bad, for sure..

P) Father, Your grace is too deep for me to fathom. You know everything; You know exactly what is good for me, and what is best. I confess that I am too limited in my own awareness of my life. So, I invite You to remove the terrible options, because I want to make the good choice. Holy Spirit lead me, that I would learn to be disciplined, choosing right, even when the wrong options are left available. I want to follow Your lead, because it leads to life in the Father. Be glorified, and let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.