For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have been convicted over the last few weeks to seek to develop a disciplined prayer life. It is still a work in progress. Please pray for me, that the Holy Spirit may show me how to pray in a disciplined manner.

    Despite the line I was taught as a child, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”, lies can harm somebody just as much as a physical attack.

    The psalmist prophecies about the day when people from all over the world will join the people of God, a day when citizens of every nation will be citizens of the Kingdom of God. That day is today, God has brought people from every nation to follow Christ and become His people. However, the psalmist also proclaims the day when every nation will follow God. That day has yet to come to pass. Some day the Holy Spirit will move so that everyone alive serves the Lord (I believe that this will not happen until after Jesus returns).

    Paul instructs Timothy (and us) to pray for all people. Let us ask God to help them. Let us intercede with God on their behalf, asking God to save them from the consequences of their sins. And let us thank God for them, even the people we don’t like. Especially, we are to pray for those who are in positions of authority. Let us pray that everyone come to accept the Gospel, because it is God’s desire that they do so. When we pray, let us be free from anger or disagreement (which is to say, let us be free from anger and disagreement, since we are supposed to pray all the time).
    There is one God and one mediator between God and man. Only Jesus is capable of bridging the gap between God and man. It is only through Him that we are able to approach God. There are many paths to God, but all of those paths lead to Jesus. Any path which does not lead to Jesus, does not lead to God.

    Yesterday my wife commented on how the book of Jeremiah is somewhat scary since he spends much of his time prophesying the judgement of God. There is no doubt that she is correct, much of the book of Jeremiah is scary. It is a call to people to turn from their sins before it is too late. Time is running out for people to repent of their sins and listen to God’s commands. Death and destruction are coming to those who refuse to listen to what God tells us. What makes Jeremiah’s prophesies so frightening is that they fit so well with what is happening in the world today. Once more the judgement of God has been set in motion against those who insist on living wicked lives.
    However, today’s passage contains reason for hope, a prophecy of God’s redemption. Yes, a day of terror is coming, a day like none that has come before. But, in the end God’s people will be saved on that day. Today, Jeremiah tells God’s people not to be afraid. God will bring His people to a life of peace and safety. This passage is one of great hope and comfort to those who love and serve the Lord.

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

     Jeremiah writes of a coming time of terror, a time of trouble for God’s people. Yet, he says that God’s people should not be afraid or dismayed because God will save them. This is a message which I will keep close to my heart. I will not be troubled or afraid, no matter how bad things are because God promises that even on that day of utmost terror He will be with His people and save them.
     God said through Jeremiah that His people’s sins were so great and many that He had to punish them, He had to allow the nations of the world to devour them. However, those who devoured His people would be devoured. Those who plundered them would be plundered. Those who attacked them would be attacked. Those who refuse to become part of God’s people will endure suffering. But for those who turn to God and accept a place among His people, He will turn their mourning into joy. God will give rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowful.

     Paul urges us to pray and petition God for all people, especially those in positions of governmental authority. One reason that we are to pray for the authorities is so that we may live in peaceful, quiet, and holy lives. A second reason for us to pray for all people, including the authorities, is that God wants all people to come to a knowledge of the truth and to be saved.
     In the current time of government strife here in the U.S., have we as Christians remembered our duty to pray for those in positions of authority? And have we done so? But there is a little more to it than just praying. Paul tells us to pray with holy hand lifted up, free from anger and controversy. So, when we pray, we are to bring our prayers before God without anger and without taking sides. Let us lift up those in positions of authority and request that God make His will known to them and change their hearts so that they willingly do His will. But we are not to bring our opinions about what God’s will for them to do into the prayer. Let us submit ourselves to God’s will as we pray for the people around us and for those in authority over us. This last is a real challenge for me. I am an opinionated person who is sure that I know how others should think.

     The psalmist wrote that the day will come when God will offer everyone from every nation the opportunity to be a citizen of His holy city. That day has arrived, through Christ, God offers each and every one of us the opportunity to be adopted into His family and thus become citizens of the Kingdom of God. What a glorious opportunity we have.

     When I was little, we had a saying that I am sure is still taught to children, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This is presented from the perspective of the one on the receiving end of hurtful words and thus serves some good. However, as this proverb points out, it is not true. What we say about others can be as damaging to them as attacking them with a weapon.