Knowing God - Jeremiah 6:14
(fp)
Peace? I won't say it's nonexistent ... but I will say it has as much substance as a wisp of smoke and it is just as elusive as trying to catch smoke in your hands. However, I think that sometimes there are wounds that are so deep and infected that healing isn't possible. True peace isn't possible. And there are wounds that begin to heal only to open back up and be worse than before. There will be a fatal infection ... a last time. Sometimes, it seems that only then will there be complete peace. total healing.
Before ya'll jump on this - that guy who 'tries to treat the wounds of God's people carefully ... and truthfully' [he does a good job of it - I am just stubborn, cynical and sarcastic] regularly points out the lies I tend to all too quickly pop off with. BUT - this is what is the loudest, the most repeated and actually what I know to be a lie in my head ... not in my heart. where the wounds are gaping open.
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14
Part of my job -- indeed part of my privilege -- is dealing with a lot of "wound[ed] people." Frequently they cry, "there is no peace."
Why is there no peace? Because of sin ... and people. And those two together and we get too many scoundrels. Indeed at the center of Jeremiah 6 is a list of scoundrels and sandals that leave the prophet crying, "11 I am filled with the Lord's fury, and I am tired of holding it in!"
In just the two verses surrounding today's verse, listen to Jeremiah's scandalous list:
- 13 everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
- 13 everyone deals falsely,
- 15 they act shamefully,
- 15 they commit abomination,
- 15 [worse,] they [act shamefully and abominably] are not ashamed
- 15 [indeed] they do not know how to blush.
Add one more thing ... At that heart of today's lesson is the scandal of presenting false hope.
When anyone proclaims false gods, false religions, and false philosophies, they are scandalously presenting false hopes. They proclaim that they know a way to find peace, but they're leading others away from the Prince of Peace. And ultimately, this is worse than "careless"; this is blasphemy.
The truth is, there is hope and there is peace. It comes through God the Father and Christ his Son. And it's a healing -- as we talked about yesterday -- of the heart.
Now ... many people that I counsel will say that "there is no peace." Why? Because their hearts are battered and bruised, and peace seems elusive. They're dealing with lies.
There is light. That's the message of Christmas.
There is peace. That's why God sent his son to earth -- the Prince of Peace.
In Christ's Love,
a guy who tries to treat
the wounds of God's people
carefully ... and truthfully
---------------------------------------Peace? I won't say it's nonexistent ... but I will say it has as much substance as a wisp of smoke and it is just as elusive as trying to catch smoke in your hands. However, I think that sometimes there are wounds that are so deep and infected that healing isn't possible. True peace isn't possible. And there are wounds that begin to heal only to open back up and be worse than before. There will be a fatal infection ... a last time. Sometimes, it seems that only then will there be complete peace. total healing.
Before ya'll jump on this - that guy who 'tries to treat the wounds of God's people carefully ... and truthfully' [he does a good job of it - I am just stubborn, cynical and sarcastic] regularly points out the lies I tend to all too quickly pop off with. BUT - this is what is the loudest, the most repeated and actually what I know to be a lie in my head ... not in my heart. where the wounds are gaping open.
Labels: Advent, Know God, Pastor's devos
posted by Chris K at
01:37
5 Comments:
so this Christmas you are waiting on a baby in a manger . . . and a truckload of leeches???
Anon: I am waiting for sleep.
CK- you scare me when you keep saying this. Please tell me that you long for 1 night of peaceful sleep. If this is not the case and it is a cry for help please say so.
I do long for one night of peaceful sleep. One night of sleep where I don't need to rely on meds to go to sleep. Where nightmares don't plague me when I get there. One night of restful, peaceful, dreamless sleep.
This week I have been determined not to take meds to sleep. Have been staying up when I get up with the kids on the bus, but haven't been going to sleep until 2-3 am. 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I am waiting for exhaustion to take over so I can sleep at last.
OK-well I am relieved. You have to admit, lack of sleep is MUCH BETTER than sleep forever. Not making light of your situation, just glad for your answer. I have 1 thought that will be scoffed at but it is tried and true. Walk 5 miles a day. Sounds way too old fashioned and everyone I say it to (I have several friends going through sleeping issues) comes up with an excuse why not to do it. But have you ever known a farmer, or anyone else, who spends their days outdoors in Gods glory have a night they weren't relaxed or exhausted enough to fall asleep? We spend our days inside on human "creations" (and tension) and miss the Godly creations that give us our inner peace.
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