The Word is My Weapon
Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 29:24-32 (NASB)
24 Now you shall speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying, 25 “This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to the priest Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying, 26 “The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be the overseer of the house of the Lord for every insane person who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and in the iron collar. 27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who prophesies to you, 28 seeing that he has sent word to us in Babylon, saying, ‘The exile will be long; build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their produce’?”’”
29 Now Zephaniah the priest read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet. 30 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, 31 “Send word to all the exiles, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” 32 therefore this is what the Lord says: “Behold, I am going to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants; he will not have anyone living among this people, and he will not see the good that I am going to do for My people,” declares the Lord, “because he has spoken falsely against the Lord.”’”
SUMMARY
When it comes to speaking on behalf of God, the Old Testament prophets were revered and trusted. They were the ones called by God to use them as His mouthpiece. As Jeremiah urged and admonished God’s people to surrender to Babylon authority, other prophets were opposing him and misleading them with false hopes.
Our enemy’s tactics have not changed much in that, they still fight to fill our minds, thoughts, and hearts with deceit, and lies. In John 8:44, Jesus said that the devil, “does not hold to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
So how are we to know, discern and stay on the path of truth in our culture of excessive lies? How can we be examples like Jeremiah, rather than Shemiah....What is our spiritual weapon and what is the basis of our fundamental truths? It’s reading, studying, meditating and applying the inerrant, irrefutable, living word of God!
Psalms 19:7-8, 10
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes...
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
John 1:1, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
When we are immersed with His truths daily, we will be less prone to waver and doubt, and instead have a better perception to distinguish what lines up with the word of God or not. As we grow in this discipline, we can know His will better since the word of God reveals Himself, and anything that contradicts His word or His holy character, we know is not the will of God.
APPLICATION
I have been taking God’s words for granted and have been reading them leisurely and casually, rather than with a focused and uninterrupted time away, with Him. I cannot afford to live a moment apart from His truths, so it is for my utmost well-being and my children, for me to cultivate a habit of spending time in the word of God. My mind is always making room for information, and unless I fill it up with God’s words, the world’s worries, lies and temptations will automatically take up that space. I will spend each evening reading and reflecting on the Bible, asking the Lord to give me wisdom and “to open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of His laws.”
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for Your living words. They have been the source of my strength and hope. But I confess that I have slacked off in my hunger and thirst for You... Please forgive, Father. I want to be the deer that pants for the water, that longs for You. Renew and restore once again a heart of worship that gives You all the glory. May Your words live fully in me that others may hear and see it come to life and come to the saving knowledge of You. As we continue to search for our lead pastor, we pray that all the pastors will speak the truths of God’s words in love, and diligently study them. We love You and give You all the glory.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
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