Today’s reading: Jeremiah 20:1-23:32
My selection: Jeremiah 23:16-17
16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’ ”
My reflections: The false and presumptuous prophets of Judah told the people that they could follow their own hearts with impunity. “No disaster will come upon you,” they confidently proclaimed. God, through the faithful prophet Jeremiah, told them to ignore these messages and messengers.
How similar to the many health and wealth preachers of our day! They typically give no warning about God’s holy wrath against sin, no warning about judgment to come. One of them has said there is no need to proclaim this negative message, that people are well aware that they have sinned and failed God. Really? That was not true in Jeremiah’s day and I do not believe it is true in ours. The human heart is deceitful, telling us we are OK when we stand under impending judgment. ( See yesterday’s post on Jeremiah 17:9-10).
My challenge: Are you trusting in lying prophets? Ignore them. Hear the truth of God’s word. Pay attention to His commands for justice and holiness lest you fall under His judgment. Make confession of sin a regular practice.
Tomorrow’s reading: Jeremiah 23:33-26:24
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