“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” And the word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north the evil will be unleashed on all the inhabitants of the land. For, behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” declares the Lord; “and they will come and place, each one of them, his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls around, and against all the cities of Judah. And I will pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, since they have abandoned Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. Now, belt your garment around your waist and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will make you dismayed before them. Now behold, I have made you today like a fortified city and like a pillar of iron and walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, to its priests, and to the people of the land. And they will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:11-19 NASB)
Let me get personal this morning. I’m not talking about myself, but I am getting personal about you. As you read in the passage above, there are several times the Lord, speaking to Jeremiah, uses the word “you.” But like I just said in so many words, this morning’s meditation is all about you. I have nine questions for you to ponder on as you come up with your response. Remember, it is all about you. I’ll try my best to stay in the order of the word “you” as found in Jeremiah 1:11-19. Are you ready? Well, you proceed now, and you answer with integrity. Exhibit some transparency to yourself. Here we go!
- Have you listened to the Lord speak to you this morning?
- Have you understood, as symbolic by the almond tree analogy used by God, that the Lord never sleeps, never slumbers, and He knows what is going on in your life?
- Have you recognized that the Lord can take down His defense around you to teach you that there are consequences for living opposite of who you are; living as those who belong to the camp of the wicked?
- Have you shared a word from the you hear Sunday with anyone?
- Have you remained not dismayed, “whatever betide?”
- Have you felt strong for the Lord, and will it continue? (Note: Jeremiah was strong for 40 years. That’s a long time to be strong. Let the same be said of you.)
- Have you boldly faced the opposition that comes against those who have been called by God?
- Have you the mindset of one who is an overcomer?
- Have you remembered that the Lord is with you and that He will save you; save you in more ways than one?
Now that you have answered the questions above, identify what you should be doing as one who God wants to use in today’s world. Then pray for the Lord to help you. Trust Him to help and protect you! You have a great Tuesday, my friend! Be blessed!
“All of you worship the Lord, so you must trust him to help and protect you.” (Psalm 115:22Contemporary English Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King