October 20th - Reflection

Video
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=6b356c4b7c405367f343

Readings
Jeremiah 35:1-36:32
Jeremiah 36:2-3 - Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today. It may be that when the house of Judah hears all the disasters that I intend to do to them, all of them may turn from their evil ways, so that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
1 Timothy 5:1-25
1 Timothy 5:20 - As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear.
Psalm 89:14-37
Psalm 89:29 - I will establish his line forever, and his throne as long as the heavens endure.
Proverbs 25:25-27

Reflection
A harsh message. Repent! Jeremiah had a harsh message to deliver. It seemed he was mostly alone in the delivery of his message. When I viewed the video it concerned me that sometimes we may tend to follow people pushing the "wrong" message. Sometimes we may get behind the "wrong" cause. Sometimes we may mistake our leader to be the leader of a particular group. So did Jeremiah come off like this in his day. Did he appear to be drumming up support of the people to get behind his message? If he was, it looks to me, that he never achieved much of a following. But what he did do was deliver the message God had given him to deliver. He delivered the message even though it was an unpleasant message to deliver to the people of the day.

Perhaps the people in the film are doing the same. Or maybe they have formed their own type of cult to follow. How do we assure that we are part of God's plan and not just carrying out, or participating in a "Man-made" plan? I think, first and foremost, we turn to the Words of the Bible. Search and study the stories left behind in the ages where God so faithfully leads His people to repent and to follow Him. So many stories of God coming to the people and saving them, either directly, or through prophets, or through even discipline. Our God loves us so much that He comes to us to save us. He does all He can to reach us.

We can see God's Word active and alive in other's of this world. We can listen and discuss the meanings of what we read and hear in the Bible with fellow Christians, seeking to hear the Voice of God speak through each one of them. We can listen to the Word spoken from pulpits and see the Word given in the Sacraments. And finally stop and be still to the Voice of the Spirit. But in the end, all must point to Jesus Christ our Savior. It must not point to someone else or another human. God's plan has been in place. His mission is clear. He has carried out that plan of salvation and will use us to continue the march. Seek His Word and He will be with you at your side. At your side, even in the discipline. At you side, even in the midst of the storm. At your side, in the victory and the defeat. But be assured that if Your focus is on Jesus, He will be in sight. So don't fear. Be open and repent of your sin and get up and move on. We have important work to do.

Prayer
I come to you this day a sinner and ask for Your forgiveness. Pick me up and set me on my feet, that I may follow in Your path and do Your will this day in Your Kingdom. ---Amen