Jer 17:9
The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
The only genuine cure for the wicked and deceitful heart that we all own due to sin is faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That's it! End of story!
The "good" that we do on this earth is like "filthy rags" compared to God's holiness. Therefore, no one can boast about their works. The only thing worthwhile to boast about is salvation through Jesus. And in that - we cannot take any credit. It is THE gift of God for our salvation.
In the Jeremiah account we read:
Jer 17:5 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jer 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.
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Trusting in man (especially an evil man!) can lead to our heart's departure from the LORD. This was true in Jeremiah's day and is also true today.
The Bible has messages that are applicable to the time they were written, and also to the day each Christian reads each particular Scripture. Jeremiah 17:6 has a message for us today. Our nation is now suffering through many curses. Why? Because many have abandoned the Lord God.
However, those who hold to Him experience blessing; even in times of trouble:
Jer 17:7 Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
The current economic crisis storm may be hard to endure, but it is producing a great harvest of fruit - more people coming to Christ as they seek the genuine Messiah.
There is a song that has some awesome lyrics that brings this point home.
Link to Wholly Yours music video by The David Crowder Band
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5 comments:
Hi Christine—
You are beautiful when you minister the Living Word. God bless you. (ss)
Hi Christine,
What an absolutely *AWESOME* song - it totally blessed me.
Thank you for all the information you provide that we as Christians need to know....and for showing God's Word through your wisdom & discernment.
After RepubX, Dr. Orly, WND, & other sites, I come to your blog & it refreshes my spirit...and you gently remind us that at the end of the day, no matter what is happening around us, God is still God.
bless you, Elisabeth
Thank you Susan and Elisabeth. It truly warms my heart to hear that what I share here is considered a part encouragement in readers lives!
All the glory belongs to God!
God's Word and His Son, Jesus Christ, are the true blessings in this life we all share. He is an awesome God and my prayer is for more and more people to KNOW Him through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. If I can be a small part of that, then I am blessed by God too!
Love & Belief in Jesus,
Christine
The first time I heard Praise Him In The Storm song I was heading east on I40 just east of Albuquerque. We had a couple in our church that had left Phoenix the day before to see their first grandbaby in Arkansas. She was killed in an accident just west of Santa Rosa NM. I flew into Albuquerque and was driving across the planes of NM to be with him in his trial when the song came on the radio. I honestly don’t know how people make it through the inevitable trials we endure in this life without the knowledge that everything, and I emphasize everything, is about so much more than we can see or know. We have a Father in heaven who in His infinite wisdom and providence allows trials to enter our lives, and we join with Job of old and proclaim, though He slay me I will hope in Him. We can praise Him in the storms because he is worthy of praise in the storms; He is worthy of praise especially in the storms.
Hello Dan,
Thank you for sharing that heart-wrenching story. Sorry about the delay in replying. I have been away on a brief vacation and haven't had computer access most days.
I wholeheartedly agree with you when you wrote:
"...everything, is about so much more than we can see or know."
and
"We can praise Him in the storms because he is worthy of praise in the storms; He is worthy of praise especially in the storms."
What Christ endured for us on the cross at Calvary makes our trials pale in comparison.
Jesus "overcame the world" so that we could be forgiven and live eternally with Him. What an awesome God we love and serve!!
I have seen many trials in my life lead to far more important and awesome events - for good - than the days where everything was fine. Now that I am walking with Christ, I can see how many prayers have been answered along the way!
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. NOTHING!
It is what enables me to live, love, watch, and work until my time on this earth is over or He returns for His own! It is what gives so much more meaning to the love of family, friends, and members of Christ's church family!
I could not imagine living any other way. The joy of the Lord surpasses all of our understanding in this life. He has given us the most marvelous gift - salvation and eternal life! What could be more valuable or important?
Thanks for commenting! God bless you!
In Jesus,
Christine
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