Israel backslid from the Lord and only a remnant remained faithful. They were taken captive. Jeremiah never won anyone back who went away from God.
Jeremiah 9:1-2 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
It was a mixed up time then as it is now. Be thankful we still have a church. We have so many sick. The ones trying to hold on are having trying times. Jeremiah’s biggest enemy was discouragement. This is the devil’s most successful tool. Jesus said it would get like this. Physical limitations and hardships make it hard. We might look at the wicked and they seem to have it all. Don’t be deceived. We’re far better off even if it doesn’t seem so.
We need to give God glory and credit. The wicked are unafraid to do anything. They see themselves as gods and present an image of total control of self—mind, body, and spirit. This attracts big name stars and they almost deify themselves. They feel superior as if nothing can stop them. The Bible warns us to give God glory. Even sinners are warned of this. As a lost person I feared the Lord. I was afraid of dying lost and going to hell. There is no fear of God by a majority of the population. Any efforts to do right are put down. Our nation has progressed all right—progressed more toward hell.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
That’s putting it plain. The ways we’re tempted to sin: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. People strive for worldly wisdom wanting to outdo someone else. As children of God we’re to be ever learning the things of God. Learning the Word of God is good. Being knowledgeable in it is good. Learning the fear of the Lord is above all. Solomon asked for wisdom and God blessed him. It’s foolish not to learn God. You can know the Word of God but do you understand. Take the Word and apply it. If you got on a plane and the pilot made an announcement that he had read all the pilot instruction books but had never flown, would you stay on the plane? We want a pilot who’s actually flown a plane.
It’s good to take care of ourselves physically but the health of our soul outweighs that of our body. Don’t neglect your soul. Pray. Study. Apply the Word to your heart. What good is a perfect body if the soul is out of whack? Don’t glory in your might. Paul said we can do all things through Christ. Superior attitudes get you nowhere with God. We cannot glory in what we have. God provided it. We could all be worse off than we are yet none of us can say what I own is mine. We can’t glory in what we have or in our might or in wisdom. Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Every blessing is from the goodness of God. On the Day of Judgment I want to be found giving God glory.
Even in the worst of times, we see God’s blessing. Without God we’d not be able to even get out and drive. We might not do a lot things like we used to but we’re getting by because God still provides. Jeremiah 10:10 says but the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Serve the true and living God.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 