Today’s Reading:
Jeremiah 9:1-26 (1, 3, 23-24)
“Oh, that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people! “And like their bow, they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” says the Lord. Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 9:1, 3, 23-24 NKJV)
The first verse of Jeremiah 9 confirms the prophet Jeremiah as the weeping prophet. His message is that of justice of wrath from the Lord – of doom and destruction. He realised that the disease of sin in his people is incurable, and so always mourned out of deep compassion for those who suffer, or die among his people. He felt conflicting emotions for his people. Lying, deceit, treachery, adultery, idolatry and so on became their routine sins. Jesus felt likewise when He grieved over the state of Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37). During this period, Judah had forsaken the laws of God and was about to be destroyed. However, the Lord did not reprimand Jeremiah for his emotional reaction, instead, he rehearsed the guilty charges against his people (v. 3). Comparing the people’s tongues to bows indicates how deliberately they lie to harm their fellow humans.
Verse 23-24 recites the true nature of genuine wisdom. When we focus too much attention on ourselves, we assume false values and pursue human riches, human strength or power, fame, kindness and human wisdom which the world appreciates, but is foolishness in the sight of God. Whereas, all these are nothing compared to our personally knowing God; and living a life that reflects His justice, righteousness, kindness and love. (1Corin 1:31; 2 Corin 10:17). What attributes would you like people to remember you for or admire in you?
The core of prophet Jeremiah’s message has been absolute knowledge of the superiority of the true God over the best of human thinking, and knowledge (Jer. 2:8; 4:22; 9:2-5; 22:16; 24:7). To know here is translated in Hebrew as ‘intimate, personal relation’. Genuine religion is a complete knowledge of the sovereignty of God in all areas of our life. And the lives of those who know God in this manner will reflect His attributes – loving kindness, justice, love, and righteousness. According to St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, “Those who call to mind the sufferings of Christ and who offer up their own to God through His passion find their pains sweet and pleasant[PA1] ”.
Today, like in the days of Jeremiah, our major ‘kwashiokor’ (deficiency) is a lack of knowledge of the God we serve (vv. 3-8). Most of the time we replace knowing God with the practice of our self-centeredness – me, me, me. Desiring to know and focus all our attention on ourselves. The fact is that if we embark on a journey outside God, the result is unfruitfulness and destruction (Matt. 6:33). Unless God is our principal pursuit in life, all will end in cul-de-sacs. It will not result in fulfilment. Although we may prosper according to the world’s system, but we will not be able to fulfil God’s purpose for our life. Remember, we do not own ourselves. Our major pursuit in our existence here on earth should be knowing God, intimately. Who is it that will make an unfaithful person faithful? What is it that will make an influential individual with authority over others a servant leader? Who can grant a deep, great and mighty deliverance and transform the most deadly and wicked person? It is by knowing, and understanding intimately, the living Sovereign God.
What to do to be intimate with God:
Realise that abundant life will never be found in another thing, book, place or person.
Repent of your sin and surrender the leading of your life to our Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Know the will of God, and resolve to abide and follow it and act it.
Read, meditate, and study the Scriptures regularly, so that you will know what it says, remember it and keep it in your heart to live it. (Jos 1:8)
Commune daily with God any time, or keep hours of (6 am, 9 am, 12noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm and 12 am), if you can add fasting to it, if not, you can live a fast life, where you eat noon daily. This humbles self before God, and you can learn from Him.
If you have done Confirmation or Baptism as the case may be, regularly take the Holy Communion/Eucharist. It is a command from Jesus (Luke 22:19; 1Corin 11:24-25).
Be daily filled and be very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Act 1:8). Because the infilling of today is not enough for tomorrow.
Daily put on your whole armour of God (Eph. 6:10-18).
If possible, create a private space where you can daily meet with God alone.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
My Father and my God, I glory only in the fact that I know You and that I understand You are the Lord who practices lovingkindness, justice and righteousness.
Lord, I ask thee of three things – to know you more intimately, love you more dearly and to follow you more nearly day by day, in Jesus' name.
Lord renew a right spirit within me, give me a teachable, understanding and obedient heart, in Jesus' name.
Give me a believing mind, open my ears, help me to always trust you, and to take you for your word, in Jesus' name.
Holy Spirit fill me with your skilful and godly wisdom, Your knowledge, Your understanding, Your insight, discernment and Your revelation, in Jesus' name.
Let the light of Your Word overshadow my life, family, and environment, in Jesus' name.
O, Lord reconcile Christian homes for the purpose for which You have established them, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, our Saviour, and Redeemer rescue the captives of the mighty, and deliver the prey of the terrible, deliver even the lawful captives, in Jesus' name.
Our Lord, Saviour and Redeemer snatch Your Church in pity from the grip of the world, its evil systems, and tyrannies of sin, in Jesus' name.
King of glory, the Lord strong and mighty, intervene in the situations of nations of the world, our nation, especially nations calling upon Your name, in Jesus' name.