Jeremiah 17-18; 2 Timothy 4; Psalm 96

⁵ Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
    and makes flesh his strength,
    whose heart turns away from the Lord.
⁶ He is like a shrub in the desert,
    and shall not see any good come. . .

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
⁸ He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear . . . and is not anxious.”

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?
¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart
    and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.” ~Jeremiah 17:5-10 (excerpts ESV)

God alone knows the truth of the state of our hearts. Even we can fool ourselves sometimes. We can rationalize, ignore, or compare away our sins.

God knows us to the core of our beings and promises to be a righteous judge over us.

Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1 ESV)

¹⁰ Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
    . . .
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”
¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³     before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness. (excerpts from Psalm 96:10-13 ESV)

Our response? (peppered throughout 2 Timothy 4 and Psalm 96):

• Rejoice (along with the whole earth) that justice will ultimately prevail
• Fear and tremble
• Worship his glory and strength
• Sing to the Lord
• Preach the Word
• Reprove, rebuke, exhort
• Be sober-minded
• Endure
• Evangelize
• Fight the good fight
• Finish
• Keep the faith
• Hope

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

We can rejoice and rest in the truth that God’s just, righteous judgement is coming. And, while we wait we should keep busy. Not usurping His role as judge, but rather being busy about His work for us – worship and preaching with every action and word that we choose.

Jehovah Mekoddishkem, the God who sanctifies (Exodus 31:13), is ready to change our hearts and grow our faith.

Father God, thank you for your perfecting love. Chase lethargy far from my spiritual life and replace it with undying fervency for You. May Your love and holiness overflow in my daily walk. Trusting Your judgement and timing on the hard days as well. In Jesus Name Amen.

 

 

 

 

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