Jeremiah 10:6

Left to his own devices, man is like a blind person alone in a thick forest on a starless night. Governed by his own instincts, he couldnat be more confused.

Man is confused about G.o.d. How confused is he? He reads his future in the stars. Then he cuts down a tree, carves out an idol, dresses it in finery, and nails it to the wall to ensure that it will not topple over. Then he worships it! There it stands alike a helpless scarecrow in a gardena (10:5), and in front of it stands mana"a hopeless suppliant in a quandary. You donat need to be very smart to recognize that is not very smart. Man knows instinctively that G.o.d is the Creator, nevertheless he goes ahead and adores the things that he himself has made rather than the One who made him.

If it be protested that modern man would do no such thing, one need only look at the devotion lavished upon automobiles and computers, medicine and technology, to see that even today man tends to look for saving grace in his own handiwork. We might be tempted to say that man today is not so stupid as to distrust the Lord and trust what has repeatedly failed him. But knowing the frailty of politicians, man still looks to them to solve his problems. And aware that the stock market is driven by such shaky dynamics as fear and greed, man still looks to it for his security. Thatas confusion!

Fortunately, G.o.d does not leave man to his confusion. Jeremiah reminded his contemporaries, aLord, there is no one like youa (10:6); and when Christ came he said, aI am the light of the world. If you follow me, you wonat be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to lifea (John 8:12). Christ in his earthly life unerringly cast light on who G.o.d is and what he is really like.

At the same time, Christ banished the darkness in menas minds concerning their true condition, and he revealed unmistakably that man is both precious and perverse, both fallen and forgivable, reprobate but redeemable. When a man knows this, he finally gets his bearings, and he steps out into life knowing G.o.d and knowing himself, understanding where he came from and where heas going, recognizing that the Lord is master and he is servant. He becomes bent on following the Lord rather than on meandering in the mora.s.s of his own mistaken ideas and destructive desires. Thatas a whole lot better than living in perpetual confusion.

December 2

TO READ: Jeremiah 17:5-18

Watch Your Back

This is what the LORD says: aCursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.a Jeremiah 17:5

In our culture one is constantly advised to watch oneas back and cover oneas tail. The conventional wisdom is that people cannot be trusted and will abuse any trust another may place in them. This is a sad state of affairs, but there is nothing new about it. G.o.d himself expressed such a view when he told Jeremiah, aCursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lorda (17:5). Modern man thinks it is smart not to trust mere humans. Heas righta"he will be cursed if he does!

This does not mean that no one should ever trust anyone. Rather, it is a condemnation of transferring trust away from the Lord and putting it in humans, as though there were nowhere else to turn for support but to humans.

The issue is the human hearta"people cannot be trusted because they have sinful hearts. Man roundly resists and resents this ideaa"even while working hard to protect himself from those he cannot wholly trust! But the Lord says, aThe human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?a (17:9).

The Lord answered his own question: aBut I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deservea (17:10). If people do not trust the Lord and if they do not commit their actions to his evaluation, their human relationships will be deficienta"or, more accurately, acursed.a Fortunately, the Lord does more than search heartsa"he changes them too. That is why Jeremiah called on the Lord to bless him in his difficult and dangerous situation. aO Lord, you alone can heal me; you alone can savea (17:14).

In this world it is a good idea to watch your back. We all have wicked hearts, so it is not stupid to be on your guard. But to be really blessed, you need to trust the Lorda"like a tree by a riverbank, to put your trusting roots deep into the fresh waters of his unfailing trustworthiness (17:7-8). That means trusting that he is right in what he says, right in what he does, right in what he promises, and reliablea"reliable to reveal your own twisted motives, and reliable to alert you when you begin to place unwarranted confidence in man and deficient confidence in G.o.d. Him alone you should fully trust. So watch your backa"and watch your heart!

December 3

TO READ: Psalm 110

The Victorious Lord

The LORD said to my Lord, aSit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.a Psalm 110:1

King David and his successors lived in a volatile part of the world. Their reigns more often than not saw them take up the weapons of war. But there was something different about the way they went into battle. They exhibited a.s.surance. As the Lordas anointed king had been reminded by the psalmist, he sat in a place of unique honor at G.o.das right hand from which he could watch Yahweh win the victory. In addition, the king knew it was only a matter of time until he would win because the battle was the Lordas. This did not mean, of course, that he and his people would not be involveda"in fact the king was told, ayour people will serve you willinglya (110:3). Nor did it mean that the king could be complacent, lazy, or self-willed and get away with it. After all, sitting at G.o.das right hand implies being completely in harmony with G.o.das plan.

But this psalm is much more than a promise to the king of a physical nation. In fact, it holds the distinction of being one of the pa.s.sages of the Old Testament most quoted in the New Testament. (See, for example, Matt. 22:43-45; Heb. 5:6; 7:17, 21; and 10:12-13.) The apostles were not at all reluctant to see in this psalm a prediction of the way that the Lord Almighty would eventually win total victory through his Son, our Lord Jesus. The apostles saw in Christas death, resurrection, and ascension the fulfillment of all G.o.das claims to ultimate, universal victory over his enemies. Our risen Lord is now seated at the Fatheras right handa"the place of prestige and authority. And he is not only praying for his children, but also waiting until the day for his triumphant return in glory.

This understanding greatly heartens the believer. As the believer lives today in a volatile world full of dangers and distractions, he bears in mind that Jesus his Lord is in the immediate presence of the Father, with unhindered access to him, able and willing to call heavenas resources to the beleaguered manas aid. And the believer need never forget that enemies are defeated foesa"it is only a matter of time until they will be routed. He can go confidently on his way, day by day antic.i.p.ating the return of the victorious King.

It is good to know who wins in the end. Itas even better to know youare on his sidea"and if youare not, youad better get there!

December 4

TO READ: Lamentations 3:1-24

Start the Day Fresh

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.

Lamentations 3:22-23

There is nothing quite so welcome as a bright, fresh dawn after a dark, stormy night. Peace and tranquility take the place of turmoil and stress, and all seems right with the world. Frayed nerves are calmed, troubled spirits are soothed, trepidation steps aside, and hope is restored. A fresh start is at hand!

The darkness of the prophet Jeremiahas night was terrifying. Not only had he suffered the abuses and indignities of cruel men, but his sufferings had led him into the deepest spiritual gloom and the darkest night of the soul. His pain was intensely physical and emotional, and the anguish of his tormented spirit was well-nigh unbearable. But after his description of his turbulent, stormy, fearsome night comes a remarkable statement about G.o.das mercies morning by morning: aThe unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each daya (3:22-23). Fresh mercies every day! These mercies are not listed, but we know they stem from G.o.das faithfulness and are hidden in G.o.d himself.

Jeremiah insisted, aThe Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in hima (3:24). Apparently Jeremiah had discovered the secret of being able to return morning by morning to renew his relationship with the Lord and to drink deeply of his aunfailing love.a This love was unfailing because it was the source and the substance of the covenant that G.o.d had made with his people. This covenant was an agreement and promise never to leave them or forsake thema"a commitment guaranteeing that G.o.d would be nothing less than G.o.d to his people, at all times and in all circ.u.mstances.

Like Jeremiah, men today need to start each new day on a fresh note, reminding themselves of the unfailing love of their covenant-making and promise-keeping G.o.d, whose mercies are fresh each morning. Some men try to make it through a stormy week on the basis of mercies delivered fresh from the pulpit on Sunday morning, which unfortunately have become stale by Wednesday. For the rest of the week they struggle to remember what they heard and how it relates to the latest storms of life. G.o.d offers fresh mercies each morning which are to be found in communion with him through his word, through prayer, and through fellowship with his people. Dark nights then give way to fresh mornings, and G.o.das mercies bring fresh energy and vigor with which to meet the day. So smart men start the day fresh!

December 5

TO READ: Ezekiel 3:16-27

G.o.das Advance Warning System

aIf I warn the wicked, saying, aYou are under the penalty of death,a but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.a Ezekiel 3:18

It is now possible with satellites to track a developing hurricane heading for a densely populated area and to calculate accurately the estimated rainfall. Given this information and the means to communicate it, great loss of life can be averteda"provided the people listen and take action.

In Ezekielas day there were no satellites but there were prophetsa"G.o.das special gift to his people, although the people did not always regard them so highly. A prophet was a watchman, appointed to warn the people of impending danger, so his messages were often full of foreboding. But people donat always like to hear about judgment, so they often ignored the message or abused the prophet.

G.o.d gave Ezekiel a message of impending judgment for the people of Israel, and he told Ezekiel that he must deliver the message, even if the people would not listen (3:17, 27). How did G.o.d impress on Ezekiel the urgency of his message? The well-being of countless people was at stake, and Ezekiel was responsible for whether he delivered G.o.das message to them: aIf . . . you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirsa (3:18). Not that he bore all the responsibility alonea"the people were responsible for how they responded to the message.

There is a parallel between the ancient prophet/watchman and the modern-day believer. Once a believeras eyes have been opened to the truth in Christ Jesusa"truth that includes the appealing message of sins forgiven and the unappealing forewarning of judgment to comea"that believer is responsible to share what he knows with those who donat know. This can be unnervinga"there certainly is a challenge involveda"but the believer should see his role as a gracious appointment, a privilege as well as a duty.

Ezekiel was dramatically bound with ropes and his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth once he had received his commission (3:24-26). The only time Ezekiel could speak was when G.o.d gave him a message for the people (3:27). The believer today should not antic.i.p.ate such treatment. The point for both Ezekiel and the believer is this: donat rush out and say whatever comes into your head. Wait until the impulse of the Spirit directs you, and then tell those in your sphere of influence what he has told you.

If people can say to me, aYou never told me,a I am responsible. If on the other hand the truth is that they never listened, the responsibility is all theirs.

December 6

TO READ: Ezekiel 18:1-24

Sour Grapes

aWhy do you quote this proverb in the land of Israel: aThe parents have eaten sour grapes, but their childrenas mouths pucker at the tastea?a Ezekiel 18:2

When bad things happen the usual question is Why? It is usually a.s.sumed that bad things happen because of somebodyas actions. Very often this is the casea"cause and effect can be traced. But while this is true, we should not blame everything on somebody else.

That is what the people of Israel tended to do. As they sat in exile, they recited the ancient proverb, aThe parents have eaten sour grapes, but their childrenas mouths pucker at the tastea (18:2). They were saying, in essence, aWe are in this predicament because of what our forebears did. Whereas the justice in that?a At its root this question challenged the Lordas justice and impeached his holiness. The Lord, through Ezekiel, had an immediate answer. He instructed his people: aAs surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you will not say this proverb anymore in Israela (18:3). Why not? Because, as G.o.d then explained, aAll people are mine to judge. . . . And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies. . . . Righteous people will be rewarded for their own goodness, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickednessa (18:4, 20). No doubt this instruction came as a shock to the people of Israel, especially because the Lord had taught them, aI do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generationsa (Exod. 20:5).

There is some comfort in being able to blame someone else for your misfortune. And because our lives are inextricably bound up in each othersa, there is a sense in which the actions of one will inevitably affect the experience of another. The actions of a parent will no doubt contribute to the makeup of the child, and this makeup will include tendencies that may lead to wrong actions. But this does not absolve an individual from the consequences of his own sin. Each person is fully responsible for what he chooses to do.

We need to understand this principle clearly. In our day we see the link between our genetics, our environment, and our behaviora"and we tend to blame everything on genetics and environment! Yet whatever our anature or nurture,a the bad news is that we are individually responsible for our actions. But the good news is we can be individually forgiven! If you accept individual responsibility, you can enjoy personal forgiveness. This G.o.d offers because he is not only just, but gracious, too.

December 7