Community Devotions

An Appalling Irony

Scripture

"An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land.  The prophets prophesy falsely,  and the priests rule on their own authority; And my people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it? - Jeremiah 5:30-31

Observation

There's corruption and wickedness in the land when there's corruption and wickedness in leadership. Prophets are to prophesy God's truth and priests are to rule in God's authority. It is an appalling and horrible irony for God’s truth speakers to speak falsely and God’s rulers to rule on their own authority. Everyone suffers when there’s corrupt leadership—society, government, churches, families, even the land physically suffers. Compounding the irony is that the “people love it so” when there’s prophets and priests not following the Lord. 

Application

Being entrusted with the gospel, God has counted me faithful. I cannot shy away from the very thing that God has called me to do—speak the truth with grace and lead with God’s authority. The calling is clear but difficult. Speak the truth about God, preach the gospel and teach the whole counsel of God’s word. Lead with God’s authority despite of my lack of life experience as a young pastor. Stand on God’s authority in discipleship and counseling to correct, discipline, rebuke and shepherd with grace. Be very cautious when, “the people love it so” and there’s no difficulty and suffering in ministry. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I feel so inadequate for such a high calling. I don’t feel worthy to speak and lead on your behalf but may I be who you called me to be NOT what others expect me to be. Help me to be strong and courageous in you. Please grant me wisdom to know when to speak the truth and when to be silent, know when to be firm and when to compromise. Holy Spirit fill me! Please continue to be my good shepherd and lead me. As I follow you help me to lead my wife, family and your church. Maranatha! Amen.

Will God Find Me?

1 Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I look: he who is humble in spirit and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. - Isa 66:1-2

God the father who owns the heavens and earth and created everything will one day create a new heaven and a new earth (65:17). He is looking for men and women with these three qualities:

 1. Humble Spirit: (Heb. ‘aniy) literally means poor, afflicted, lowly. Someone who has a spirit of humility

 2. Contrite Spirit: (Heb. nakeh) occurs 3X in OT; translated “lame” 2X, “contrite” once. It is person who is stricken and smitten. Is contrition referBrokenness that comes from repentance

3. Trembles at my word: reverent fear and respect for the spoken AND written word of God.

When God looks throughout the earth and seeks for people who are humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at his word, will he find me? Is my life marked by humility and brokenness? Am I just humble in action but prideful in spirit? Does repentance and brokenness mark my countenance? Do I tremble with reverent fear at God’s word or do I just study it as an academic exercise to gain knowledge?

Heavenly Father,

I humble myself before you. Lord you are God in heaven, here I am on earth. Let my words be few. I acknowledge that I am nothing with you. I recognize that every good and perfect gift comes as grace from you NOT by the work of my hands. Holy Spirit continue to reveal the ugliness of pride that leaks from my heart, infiltrates my mind and expresses itself in my words and action. I want you to form my spirit so that I will take on your nature. King Jesus take the rightful place over my heart, mind and soul. You are king and I am your servant. I love you so much! Maranatha!