Prayer: Father, help me to see myself through Your eyes. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 32 key: vs. 34-35 “Instead they set up their abominations in the House where My Name is called, to defile it. They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, to make their sons and their daughters pass through fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor did it enter My mind that they would do this loathsome thing, causing Judah to sin.” TLV
Attention: As I read this passage today, I was reminded of a book by John Fischer. I knew him as a musical artist before I discovered he was a writer too. I have not read any of his books save, this: 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me)—Finding Grace to live Unmasked. I am going to refresh my memory today and review John’s book.
I have become aware that for the Old Testament prophets, the message became quite cyclical. God (Adonai) visited the prophet and gave them a message of judgement along with a message of hope and restoration. Their relationship with God would be better than ever, only to have the Hebrew people He loved so dearly, relapse and break relationship with Him.
You may have wondered, why God was so long suffering with His covenant people? He loved them despite their sin. He sent the Messiah because He knew we could not be restored to Him by our own efforts and Messiah sent the Holy Spirit because He knew we could not live for Him in our own strength.
If we do not see ourselves through scripture, we are missing the point. Some God has taken out because there was not a chance of restoration. Those of us who are breathing and aged and have experienced the grace and mercy, the longsuffering love of God. We most of all should understand that God desires for no one “to perish (die without Him), but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).”
Action: I choose to share the gospel message to spare as many as possible.
Yield: I choose to yield to the Spirit of God.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in living for Adonai.
Relationship: I choose to live in relationship with the Holy God.
Prayer: Father, may I desire like You, that none should perish, “but all would come to repentance.” May we live in peace because we have experienced Your grace, mercy, and long suffering. Amen.
Memory Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”
Music Video: John Fischer—A New Day https://youtu.be/yDznYTIyjMw?si=xFmzVdEPN1C7gl7Z
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”