Jeremiah - Week 2

Sorry for the delay on Jeremiah....
At the risk of sounding redundant this was another book for me full of surprises. Again, I did not know what the setting or point of the book was and at first glance it seemed full of woes. Alas, it was full of woes but it was also amazing to see into the heart of Jeremiah and see how BIG God is. I was also abundantly thankful that we have Jesus!

Most of the facts I learned in the lecture were tidbits in the overview of the kings. Some good reminders about some things we learned last year. King Josiah tried to bring the people back to God by example but by and large the group of kings during Jeremiah's time were EVIL!

I think what struck me the most this week was just looking at Jeremiah and what he went through. It sure puts things in perspective, how long might the Lord ask me to endure or persevere.... He had such a beautiful heart and strong desire for God and His word, how unbelievably frustrating to have no one listen for 40 years!

Points I learned from Jeremiah:

• learn to love what God loves (I think this is what enabled him to do what he did, for so long and with such fervor. When our will, our wants and desires are in line with HIS then our actions and words will follow.)
• be a light (How can I shine in this darkness? Who is watching me? Am I willing to shine in places that are uncomfortable?)
• cling to the Living God (cling... stick to like glue, how can I do this, what does that look like... time with Him, constant communication with Him)
• stay the course (persevere - sidebar on page 55 - Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. I really need to tap into God's strength for that bitty of time in between those short races so I am rested up, strengthened and reminded of the big picture!)
• TRUST GOD!
• give voice to my groaning - to God! (pg 61 talks about how it was only alone with God did Jeremiah give voice to his agonized feelings - glad to see that he did talk with God about his feelings, especially ones we see soon in Lamentations, and that he did it with God, alone!)

Some favorite verses (there were SO many):
1:19 - "They will fight against you but will NOT overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.
6:16b - ...ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
7:23 - Obey me and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.
10:23 - I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his own steps.
17:7 - Blessed in the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence in in him. He will be like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes....
24:6-7 - My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will five them a hear to know me that I am the Lord. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
31:25 - I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
33:11b - Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures FOREVER!