Author: scott

The Living Word

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12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Living

We have been looking at attributes of the Word of God using Jeremiah chapter 36.  In the last study, we looked at contrasting reactions to the hearing of God’s Word.  I mentioned that people react to the Bible unlike any other book.  The primary reason is given in today’s verse from the book of Hebrews.  The Word of God is living.  It is active.  It has an inherent power that no other book has.  The reactions of Josiah and Jehoiakim to the Word of God have been repeated numerous times throughout history and will continue to be as long as the Gospel is shared.  Reaction’s that are not merely superficial or emotional, but life changing.   Reaction’s like those at Pentecost.

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” – Acts 2:37

Accomplishing

Peter boldly proclaimed the Word of God and 3ooo people were converted.  They “received the Word and were baptized.”  We should not be surprised.

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11

God’s Word will accomplish its purpose.   What a promise.  What a hope.  The Word of God is not impotent.  It is not ineffective.  It is a living seed we are to cast on the soil of the hearts of men and trust the work of the Holy Spirit to produce a plentiful spiritual harvest.  But without the living Word, there can be no crop.

Preaching

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:14-17

We rejoice for the repentance of Josiah.  We are thrilled by the account of the 3000 who were converted at Pentecost.  But we can not be intimidated by those like Jehoiakim and the Pharisees who reject the Word.  We must always remember that God’s Word is alive and our duty is to keep the Faith and proclaim it.  The results and the reactions we can leave with God.  God’s Word will not return to Him void.

Harvesting

4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. – Acts 4:1-4

Notice what is happening here in Acts.  Peter continues to preach the Word.  While the leadership of the day was “greatly annoyed”, many who heard the Word believed and the church increased.  The formula still works today.  We don’t need gimmicks.  We don’t need committees.  We don’t need man made philosophies.  God’s Word is alive.  It is active.  It is sufficient.

It alone gives men new life.

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; – 1Peter 1:23

It sustains the believer.

 4 But he answered, “It is written,  “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

It abides within the Child of God.

“and the word of God abides in you” – 1 John 2:14

Our Living God has given us His Living Word to impart life into the spiritually dead.  How wise we would be to meditate on it like the blessed man in Psalm 1 and to proclaim it to those that have never heard.

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life  John 6:63,68

God is not dead.  And neither is His Word.  Spread the Good News!!

Reactions to God’s Word

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21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. 22 It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. 23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. 24 Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. 25 Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. – Jeremiah 36:21-25

 

Like father like son?

Not in this case.  The reaction of King Jehoiakim to the reading of the inspired word of God stands in stark contrast to that of his father, King Josiah, as recorded in 2 Kings chapter 22.  When the Book of the Law was found in the house of the Lord it was brought before King Josiah.  Shaphan the secretary promptly read it to Josiah.  Upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, King Josiah tore his clothes in humility.  The word of God convicted him.  He commanded Hilkiah the priest who found the Book, Shaphan the secretary who read it to him, and other leaders to go and inquire of the Lord on his behalf.  He was afraid of the wrath of God because of the disobedience of God’s children in regards to God’s word.

Josiah’s Humility

When God’s counsel was sought, Josiah was assured that the wrath of God would be meted out upon Jerusalem and it’s inhabitants because they forsook God and made offerings to idols, thus provoking God to anger.   However, because Josiah’s heart was penitent, and he humbled himself before the Lord when he heard God’s word, Josiah would be “rewarded”.  God assured him that he would go to his grave in peace, and his eyes would not see all the disaster that was coming as a result of the disobedience of the people.  But Josiah wasn’t concerned only about himself, he was burdened for the people.

Josiah’s Consecration

Josiah assembled the people at the house of the Lord, and he personally read from the Book of the Covenant that had been lost there.  In the presence of the people, he “made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes will all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book.”  And the people joined him.  After consecrating himself to the LORD, Josiah commanded the people to destroy their “instruments” of idolatry.  Josiah not only removed a lot of items related to idol worship, he also restored the Passover.  What did God think of Josiah’s reaction to His word?

God’s Assessment

25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. – 2 Kings 23:25

Jehoiakim’s Arrogance

If only Jehoiakim could have been more like his father.  Instead, his arrogance stands in stark contrast to Josiah’s humility.  When his official (Jehudi) comes to him with the word of God, Jehoiakim is far from penitent.  Instead of recognizes the authority of God’s word over his life, he acts like he is superior to the Word.  It is he who stands in judgement.  As the scroll is being read to him he is cutting it and burning it.  This reaction is so appalling that verse 24 states, “Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments.”  Remember God’s intention stated in verse 3?  “It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”  Jehoiakim’s behavior is not only foolish, it is reckless.

Jehoiakim’s Denial

After Josiah humbled himself before the LORD and his people, he placed an order to “inquire of the LORD”.  He wanted to hear more from God.  After Jehoikim finished burning the scroll, he also placed an order.  He wanted God’s messengers, Baruch and Jeremiah seized.  Unlike his father, he did not want to hear more of God’s word.  He didn’t want to hear it any more.  He did not want to share the word of God with the people as his father did.  Instead, he wanted to deprive them of it.  The consequence?  See how this compares with what is stated about Josiah above:

God’s Assessment

30 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.

Not exactly going to your grave in peace!  Amazing how different a father and a son can be.  A good reminder on just how personal our faith is.  There will be no coattail Christians in heaven.  Our salvation is contingent upon what we do individually with the truth of the Gospel.

The reactions of Josiah and Jehoikim I believe, also give evidence of the uniqueness of the Word of God.  What else can cause the brokenness we see in Josiah?  What else can cause the animosity we see in Jehoikim?  Both were convicted, yet they responded in different ways.  History is full of people on each ends of this spectrum.  Those that humble themselves before the Word want to share it just as Josiah did.  Those that rebel as Jehoikim did, want to destroy it.

Why such strong reactions?  The Word is alive!

God’s Word of Warning

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2 “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. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” – Jeremiah 36:2-3

Turn or burn

You have heard the expression. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once preached a sermon with the title.  The text he preached from was Psalm 7:11-12.

11 God is a righteous judge,
    and a God who feels indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword;
    he has bent and readied his bow.

God is loving.  God is long-suffering.  In His grace, He warns us of the consequences of our sins and gives us time to repent.  As I mentioned in the last devotion, to ignore the Word of God is foolishness.  Unfortunately, as we look at today’s text from Jeremiah, we see foolishness exemplified.

Verse 1 tells us that this warning came during the fourth year of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah.   This date is significant.  Chapter 46 tells us that this was the year that Babylon conquered Egypt.  After Pharoah Neco killed King Josiah, Judah had been subject to the rule of Egypt.  Although they were a vassal of Egypt, God has been warning His people of an imminent and greater danger of an enemy from the North.  The people seemed indifferent.  Hard to believe we can not take God seriously despite the fact that one prophecy after another is fulfilled before our eyes.  One might think Nebuchadnezzar and his approaching army would get the attention of God’s children.  Just in case, God is giving Jeremiah another warning.  Disaster is at your doorstep.  Turn so I can forgive your iniquity and sin.  Or else.

Man’s Sin & God’s Heart

Can you hear the longing of God?  Can you feel the passion of His heart?  Look at Psalm 7 closely.  “God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.”  Talking about sin is not politically correct.  It is not popular.  It is not the way to fill an auditorium.  But it is the loving thing to do.  Like the children of Israel in the days of Jeremiah, man still has a problem with sin.  And so does God.  It makes Him angry.  He extends His hand of mercy and too often men slap it.  He offers His grace and men reject it.  In so doing, by default, they are choosing the fires of hell.  Turn or burn.

“It may be…that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”  God’s passion for sinners sent Jesus to the cross.  In the death and resurrection of Christ, God offers the only means of salvation from sin.  To avoid condemnation, man must repent of his sins and place his faith in the atoning work of Christ’s shed blood.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” – John 3:16-18

Life in Christ

Apart from Christ, men stand condemned and are destined to perish.  This is not my opinion but is the truth.  This is what God says in His Word.  His Word of warning.  The Words He inspired Jeremiah to write down were fulfilled.  His children suffered the consequences just as He told them and so will we if we do not turn.  God takes sin very seriously and so should we.  Now is not a time to ignore.  Now is not a time to procrastinate.  Now is the time to heed God’s warning and turn from your sins.   Perhaps Jesus can convince you.

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” – Luke 16:19-31

The God Breathed Word

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“In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “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.'” – Jeremiah 36:1-2

Zig’s Routine & Al’s Opinion

Years ago my brother attended a conference and had the privilege of hearing Zig Ziglar speak.  One of the things that Zig shared with his audience that day was that he began every day reading the newspaper and the Bible.  According to him, that way he knew what both sides were up to.  What he said tongue in cheek certainly has a lot of truth to it.  As I have stated once before, I am not a proponent of the media.  I am convinced that journalism is dead.  In its place, indoctrination is alive and well.

What little I see of the media is nothing more than a biased editorial.  Buried along with journalism are dialogue and debate.  From their grave diatribe flourishes.  By default, if someone disagrees with you they are not only wrong but unworthy of having an opinion.  We are quick to call names and attack the character in an attempt to marginalize those with whom we disagree.  Think I’m exaggerating?  Wear a Trump t-shirt in Los Angeles or DC and let me know how that works for you.  We need to be very careful about what we feed our minds with.  Our beliefs will certainly play out in our behaviors.  When Al Capone “owned” the papers in Chicago he made this statement, “Everybody reads the newspapers, and most people are stupid enough to believe what’s in the papers.”  Al Capone is long gone, but the devil is still busy causing division with deception.  But he is no match for God.

God Inspired

We live in an age of information overload.  As the printed page has given way to digital, we find the world at our fingertips.  While this can be convenient, it in no means guarantees that what we are exposed to is accurate.  I was recently in Gettysburg and saw this quote, “Not everything you read on the internet is true.” – Abraham Lincoln.  In contrast, I find today’s passage from Jeremiah refreshing.  When God wanted to communicate to Israel and Judah, He spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and commanded him to take up a scroll and record the words that He would speak to him.  So it is with the entire Bible.  When we read it we are reading the Word of God.  We are not reading Jeremiah’s opinion on the latest events.  We are not being subjected to Isaiah’s attempts to indoctrinate us with his political convictions.  Nor is Moses trying to justify his actions.  Not at all.  When the authors of the Bible picked up “quill” and scroll, they did so at the inspiration of God Himself.  Such is what Paul tells us in the New Testament.

God Breathed

16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – II Timothy 3:15

Paul says that all Scripture is breathed out by God (theopneustos).  Just as the life of Adam was breathed into him by God, so it is with the Bible.  God, Himself is the origin.  He alone is the source.  Like the other authors God chose to use, Paul knew that he was simply an agent working on God’s behalf.  Don’t believe Paul?  Listen to what Jesus had to say.

4 “But He answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

When the devil tried to tempt Him in the wilderness, Jesus quoted words that proceeded from the mouth of God.  What a great weapon to wield against the devil’s wiles.  Peter, who himself was sifted by the devil penned these words at the inspiration of God.

21 “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” – II Peter 1:21

Peter would not take credit for his writings.  Nor did he attribute any credit to the Prophets.  Again, they were only instruments God chose to use to accomplish His task.  They were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible, Read it and Believe It!

Every Book.  Every Chapter.  Every Sentence.  Every Letter.  Inspired by God.  All of it is True!!

Every day, we have the Truth of God at our fingertips.  Might we be wise enough to read it.  Might we have the faith to believe it.  The fool isn’t the one who reads the newspaper.  He is the one who ignores God’s word.

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.  All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us from this book.”  Abraham Lincoln

Smoldering Stumps

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4 “And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.” – Isaiah 7:4

Comforting Words

Be careful.  Be quiet.  Do not fear.  Do not let your heart be faint.  The Lord commanded the prophet Isaiah to speak these words to Ahaz, king of Judah, as two opposing kings, Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekin, king of Israel, were conspiring to destroy Ahaz.  We all have our struggles with fears.  Those moments when our hearts are faint and our minds are overwhelmed.  Sometimes our fears are valid and often times not.  If two powerful enemies were conspiring to destroy me as was the case with Ahaz, I would be fearful also.  Ahaz was familiar with Rezin and Pekin.  Too familiar.

Smoldering Stumps

Second Chronicles chapter twenty-eight records a prior encounter between Ahaz and these two kings.  It did not bode well for Ahaz and Judah.  Pekin (Pekah) killed 120,000 men from Judah in one day.  Ahaz also lost a son and his second in command.  But that wasn’t all.  Besides the men that were killed, another 200,000 women, and sons and daughters of Judah were taken captive.  In addition to the captives, there was also much spoil taken to Samaria.  Sounds to me like there should be every reason to fear the “fierce anger” of these two kings.  While the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people “shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (verse 2), God calls the opposing kings mere smoldering stumps of firebrands.

Be Careful

Take heed.  Ahaz needed to hear these words.  Ahaz began to reign at twenty years of age and reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem.  Unfortunately, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.  He made images for the Baals, and made sacrifices to idols, including burning his sons as a sacrifice.  Ahaz consistently made poor choices.  When threatened, he did not look to God, but rather made a pact with Assyria for protection.  Hence the admonition to be careful.  Ahaz was listening to the wrong voices, including his own.  Now it was time to listen to the words of God.  Good advice for all of us.  Set aside all pretenses of self-sufficiency and listen for the voice of God.

Be Quiet

No more excuses.  No more rationalizing.  It is time to admit the mistakes that have been made.  Amazing how we think that by rambling on we can convince others when in actuality we are often trying to convince ourselves.  Oh, for the wisdom to know when to be quiet.  It is hard to hear the voice of wisdom when we are filling the air with our ignorance.

Do Not Fear

How much fear in our lives would be eliminated if we would look at things from God’s perspective.  These two fierce kings are in actuality only smoldering stumps.  Isaiah relays from God to Ahaz the imminent death of these two figures.  Unfortunately, Ahaz isn’t looking to God, nor is he looking at the opposing kings with a godly perspective.  Instead of looking at the scenario with all of the facts, he is operating in the realm of ignorance.  Hence his fear.

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Faint

Be strong.  What you perceive as a ferocious fire is nothing more than smoke.  Despite their threats, there is more thunder than lightning.  You listen to these angry kings and you hear their threats.  Listen to God and you will be assured of their demise.  Are you going to be overwhelmed by the threats of firebrands and live in fear, or place your trust in the assurance of God and live in confident faith?

Comforting Words & The Stump of Jesse

When God sent Isaiah to Ahaz with this message, he did not send him alone, rather Isaiah was instructed to take his son along.  His son’s name was Shear-jashub.  Why is this significant?  Shear-jashub literally means, “a remnant will return.”  Ahaz and Judah may have had a bad history with Rezin and Pekin, but they had a promise for a glorious future from God.  Isaiah proceeds to tell Ahaz of the virgin birth of Immanuel.  God has a plan.  No need to shake like a tree in the wind.  No need to fear smoldering stumps.  Our hope is in the stump of Jesse.  Look at these verses from Isaiah chapter eleven.

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
    and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

11 In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.

We live in a world full of fear.  The recent terrorist attack in Barcelona has reminded us of our vulnerability.  After each such occurrence, the world leaders condemn those responsible.  No disrespect to those in authority, but for the most part, they are smoldering stumps.   Despite all of the rhetoric, they will never stop the violence.  Our only hope is Christ, the root of Jesse.  If we put our confidence anyplace else we are making a pact with Assyria which will always result in fear and shaking like a tree in the wind.  Don’t listen to the threats of Rezin and Pekin.  Isaiah and his son Shear-jashub are speaking to you on God’s behalf.  Be careful.  Be quiet.  Do not fear.  Do not let your heart be faint.  Because of the root of Jesse, we can live in hope and not fear.

12 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:12-13

The Day of Jerusalem

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7″ Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, ‘Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!’  8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!  9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!” – Psalm 137:7-9

Impending Judgement

This is a difficult passage of scripture.  We have spent the last couple of devotions looking at the first six verses of this Psalm, and I thought it was only “fair” to look at the last three.  Throughout this Psalm the imagery is vivid and the emotions are raw.  The Psalmist doesn’t leave us guessing about his passion.  In the siege of Jerusalem and its ensuing destruction, he has witnessed many atrocities (Lamentations 5:11).  As if the looting of his home and the destruction of the sacred Temple were not bad enough, he also had to witness the violation of loved ones and the unthinkable cruelty of the execution of infants.  With these images seared in his mind, the Psalmist gives vent to his emotions.  May justice be served.  May the guilty be held accountable.  May they experience the pain they have inflicted on others.

While the Babylonians were razing Jerusalem, the Edomites were fanning the flames.  Descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob, the Edomites were a “sister-nation” to Israel.   Rather than coming to Israel’s defense, however, the Edomites encouraged the utter destruction of Jerusalem, with chants of “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations.”  Rather than sympathizing with the Israelites, they reveled in their misery.  If Esau couldn’t get his birth rite back from Jacob he was going to find satisfaction in his agony and encourage his destruction.  “Remember, O Lord, the day of Jerusalem.”

While the Psalmist prays for retribution against the Edomites, he speaks of the judgment of Babylon as a matter of certainty.  It is going to happen.  Blessed is the one to execute it.  Like Jerusalem, Babylon will be destroyed.  Your little ones will be dashed against the rocks just as you did to ours.  You can’t get much more graphic.  Like his beloved city, the Psalmist is broken.  At first glance, it appears he is looking for revenge.  But is he?

Vengeance is Mine

In regards to the Edomites, the Psalmist prays that God will remember them.  He is asking God to do what only God can.  He is asking God to judge the Edomites.  He is leaving them in God’s hand.  Undoubtedly he was familiar with the words of Deuteronomy.

9 “But the Lord‘s portion is his people,
    Jacob his allotted heritage.” – Deut. 32:9

35 “‘Vengeance is mine, and recompense,
    for the time when their foot shall slip;
for the day of their calamity is at hand,
    and their doom comes swiftly.’
36 For the Lord will vindicate his people
    and have compassion on his servants,
when he sees that their power is gone
    and there is none remaining, bond or free.” – Deut. 32:35-36

The Psalmist knows of the special relationship between God and His allotted heritage Jacob.  He also knows that the Lord will vindicate His people.  What appears at first glance to be a personal vendetta is actually the recognition of God’s promise for His people.  Although they are not immune from suffering, God will have compassion on them when He sees their power is gone.  Such was their predicament as exiles in Babylon.  While powerless to defend themselves, the Israelites looked to God to fulfill His Word and act on their behalf.  Before we judge too harshly the details of verse nine, let’s look at some other passages the Psalmist was probably familiar with.

43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens;
    bow down to him, all gods,
for he avenges the blood of his children
    and takes vengeance on his adversaries.
He repays those who hate him
    and cleanses his people’s land.” – Deut. 32:43

16 “Their infants will be dashed in pieces
    before their eyes;
their houses will be plundered
    and their wives ravished.” – Isaiah 13:16

A Coming Day

In time God would use the Medes and Persians to judge Babylon.  The barbaric acts done by the Babylonians would be reciprocated.  In His time God will vindicate His people.  Despite the trials we are going through we can have confidence in the Word of God.  We may not know His timing.  We certainly can’t understand His methods.  While we don’t understand God’s ways, we know that they are much higher than ours.  Like the Psalmist, we must submit to His will.  We must embrace the justice of God as well as the grace and mercy.  God will not be mocked.  While the Psalmist asked God to remember the day of Jerusalem, it is good for us to be mindful of the fact that the day of the Lord is coming.

12“For the LORD of hosts has a day
against all that is proud and lofty,
against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low.” – Isaiah 2:12

17“And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,
and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,
and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” – Isaiah 2:17

The prophecies of the day of the Lord will be fulfilled just as surely as the judgment of Babylon.  Before the great day of judgment arrives, may we be fervently praying that our “enemies” might embrace the grace of God and be spared.  It is evident from the passion of the Psalmist that the day of Jerusalem was terrible.  But it won’t compare to the day of the Lord.  While it is comforting to emphasize the fact that God is love, we must always be true to His word and also recognize that He is a God of justice.  Sin will not go unpunished.  When it is punished, it is often barbaric.  The cross is all the proof we need.  God’s ways are higher than ours.  Thank God.

4“The Rock, his work is perfect,
for all his ways are justice.” – Deut. 32:4

Hanging Lyres (Entertaining the Enemy)

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“On the willows there we hung up our lyres.” – Psalm 137:2

Tempter & Taunts

While the exiles were gathered at the waters of Babylon, as we looked at in the last devotion, the Babylonians taunted them and asked them to sing songs from their native Zion.  The Babylonians weren’t interested in music, they were interested in mocking.  Mocking not just the Israelites, but the God of Israel.  While the exiles were mourning, their captors requested mirth.  Satan isn’t always subtle, but he is always cruel.  The tempter who met Christ in the Judaean desert is meeting the Israelites by the waters of Babylon.  While the devil could not “touch” Christ, the Babylonians could certainly threaten and use force against the Israelites.  Lyres don’t present much resistance against armed men.  Unless they are instruments consecrated to God.

God & Hymns

Give us some hymns.  Show us some joy.  Let us see you worship your God who could not save you from captivity.  Your God must be as helpless as you.  While the taunts were personal and plentiful, the Israelites did not take the bait.  They did not cast pearls before swine.  They would not defile their religion to entertain the enemy.  They would not compromise their consciences.  Rather than acquiesce to the requests of their captors, they simply hung up their instruments in the willow trees.  Not only were they in no mood to sing songs of mirth, more importantly, they did not want to “defile” their songs.  “How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land” (Verse 4)?  Good question.  Why expose what is sacred to the ridicule of the world?  Hanging up lyres in a willow tree sounds easy.  But is it when Satan has you in his coils?  He knows when we are weakest.  He knows when we feel abandoned.  If we are not careful he wraps us up and squeezes us until we compromise our convictions.  Be careful, Satan slithered before he roared.

Sing us a Song

You are in a foreign land.  Your temple is destroyed.  Certainly, you can’t refrain from singing forever.  God would want you to express yourself.  A little mirth is good for you.  Life is short; enjoy yourself.  Like the Israelites, you have heard it all before.  Sing us a song.  Share in the mirth.  Try this.  Take a drink of this.  One look won’t hurt.  A little lie is OK.  Everyone else is doing it.  Don’t be such a stick in the mud.  Did God really say?  The temptations come in an infinite number of forms.  The packaging may be enticing, but they are wrapped in the pits of hell.  What would you expect from the one who masquerades as an angel of light? Slither, slither, roar.

No Compromise

How much do you respect your conscience?  What is your faith worth?  How cognizant are you of your testimony?  How much do you esteem the “honor” of God?  There is a lot on the line when the captors ask us to sing for them and make mirth.  It’s easy to concede when we feel threatened.  We love our comfort.  We love our safety.  We want to be popular.  We want to fit in.  The enemy knows when we are susceptible.  He knows when we are tired.  He knows how to take advantage of our emotions.  He knows how to package his words.  They are often delivered with sensuality and promises.  Why weep by the river when you can sing and dance?  Take a cue from the exiles, it is better to weep with God’s children than sing for the enemy.  Likewise, the Psalmist claims it is better to be cursed than to compromise our conscience.

5 “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!  6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!” – Psalm 137:5-6

The songs of Jerusalem were written for worship.  They were an expression of the love of God’s children for their heavenly Father.  Surrender them to the enemy?  Never.  I would rather lose the use of my right hand or my ability to speak than to entertain the enemy.  Such is the conviction of the Psalmist.  Sound familiar?

” If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” – Matthew 5:29

God has blessed us with so much.  Music is a gift from God.  Joy is a gift from God.  So is your conscience.  And so is your faith.  Don’t blemish God’s blessings by entertaining the enemy.  Don’t exchange the Joy of God for worldly mirth.  Don’t compromise your convictions.  Stand firm in your faith.  When the enemy asks to be entertained turn your back to him, find a willow tree, and hang up the lyre.  Pearls are precious and should never be cast before swine.  Certainly not one who slithers.  Don’t expose what is sacred to the ridicule of the world.  Consecrate yourself to the Lord and let the enemy slide back to his hole.

By the Waters of Babylon

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“By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.” – Psalm 137:1

Water & Thirsty Souls

Water can do wonders for a soul.  What a glass of cold water can do for a physical thirst, a body of water can do for a thirsty soul.  Whether it is a calm lake, the roll of ocean waves, or the ripple of a stream’s current, we often find solace in bodies of water.  Water has a way of attracting us when the chaos of the world is closing in on us.

In the last two devotions, we have looked at the end of the reign of the Jewish kings and the Babylonian exile of the Jews under King Nebuchadnezzar.  Now in Babylon, many of the exiles gather by the waters and lament.  With the painful images of the ruined city and it’s Temple fresh in their minds, they remember the glory that was Zions.  We can not always undo the past, but we can pay our respects to it by resolving never to forget.  Such was the resolve of the exiles.  It is believed by many that Psalm 137 was written by Jeremiah.  It is certainly possible that the “weeping” prophet wrote this powerful Psalm, but we do not know for certain.  No doubt it is emotionally charged with strong language and unforgettable imagery.  However, who actually penned it is ultimately not important.  What we do know is that it was God inspired.  My challenge to you is to read the Psalm from the perspective of an exile.  A healthy perspective for a child of God.

Homesick & Hope

During the time of the exile, Babylon was the world power.  Nebuchadnezzar had a strong military, as the Israelites were too familiar with.  Babylon was bustling.  Babylon was growing.  Babylon had impressive walls and buildings.  It had beauty including the Hanging Gardens with man-made terraces and a mechanized watering system, making it one of the seven wonders of the world.  Babylon was a “seat of learning and culture.”  They had a codified law.  Babylon was impressive.  Babylon was famous.  But for the Jews, Babylon wasn’t home.  Those that gathered by the waters of Babylon would have rather been back in Jerusalem.  As they gathered, they not only shared a common grief, but a common hope as well.  Someday they would return.

10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:10-11

Longing for Home

As children of God, we share the hope of the Jewish exiles.  Someday God will call us home.  Our hope is not tainted by what was, but is fueled by what is to come.  We don’t grieve a Jerusalem that lies in ruins.  Rather we anticipate a New Jerusalem.  A Heavenly Zion.  One beyond the reach of the likes of Nebuchadnezzar.  One with walls that will never be under a siege.   A city whose temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.  A city with the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  A river where we can sit down and meet at as we remember what God has done for us in Christ.  Giving to us from the spring of the water of life without payment.  Amazing what water can do for a thirsty soul.

Good Bye Babylon

Don’t be content with Babylon.  Don’t look for fulfillment by the waters of Babylon.  This world is not your home.  You are an exile.  Don’t cling too tightly to the temporal.  We are only here for a season.  Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.  A place we can call home.  Forever.  Your hope is greater than that of the Jewish exiles.  May your passion for the New Jerusalem be greater than their’s was for the earthly.  Our hope is not to return to the past.  Our hope is eternal.  May our perspective be the same.

Someday Babylon will be destroyed like the tower is was named after.  The world and it’s “wonders” will be consumed.  However, the Word of God will endure the fires.  His plans for a future and a hope will come to fruition.  While we are surrounded by the chaos of Babylon, might we have the resolve of Jeremiah and the exiles, and focus on the promises of God.

Waters and Worship

Someday we will gather at the waters of Heaven.  As we do we will worship God Almighty and the Lamb who are the source of the waters.  As we worship we will fellowship with the Saints.  We will be reunited with loved ones.  We will meet the Apostles.  We will meet the Patriarchs.  We will meet Moses, Joshua, and the prophets.  Including Jeremiah.  But he will no longer be known as the “weeping” prophet.  There will be no tears.  There will be no lamenting.  The old will be gone.  All will be made new.  Wrongs will be righted.  Justice will finally prevail.  Love will always reign.  What a future.  What a hope.  What a place to call home.

I hope you are looking forward to our time by the waters of Heaven.  God is.

Lessons from the Graciousness of Evil

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“And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed (lifted up the head of) Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.  And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon.  So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments.  And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.” – 2 Kings 25:27-30

Jehoiachin

Yesterday, we looked at Zedekiah, the last king of Judah.  Before Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah king, he carried away his successor and nephew, Jehoiachin, into exile.  Jehoiachin’s reign was brief.  Three months.  Despite being a young king with a short reign, Jehoiachin left his mark.  Like his uncle after him, he also did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.   The seeds of evil don’t take long to produce fruit.  Unlike his uncle, Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar saving Jerusalem from destruction, albeit temporarily.

Although Nebuchadnezzar did not unleash his full wrath, he did plunder Jerusalem, carrying away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house.  Along with the treasures, Nebuchadnezzar took ten thousand captives consisting of the “top” citizens and craftsmen and leaving only the poorest behind in Jerusalem.  With this segregation, Jeremiah’s prophecy of the Good Figs and the Bad Figs was set into motion.  Those exiled were designated for good, those left behind for destruction (Jeremiah 24).  The mighty Nebuchadnezzar was nothing but a pawn in the mighty hands of a sovereign God.  We never know what instruments God might use to carry out His plans, but we can always be certain that His Word will be fulfilled.

“I will hurl you and the mother who bore you into another country, where you were not born, and there you shall die.” – Jeremiah 22:26

“And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officials, and the chief men of the land he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.” – 2 Kings 24:15

Prison

For thirty-seven years Jehoiachin was a prisoner in Babylon.  Plenty of time to reflect.  Plenty of time to second guess.  Plenty of time to repent.  Eighteen years “old” is young for a king.  One hundred days is short for a reign.  Thirty-seven years is a long time to be held a prisoner.  By anyone’s standards.  But Jehoiachin was warned.  Not only would his mother be exiled with him, but his offspring would never reign in Judah.

“Thus says the Lord:  ‘Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.’” – Jeremiah 22:30

It is difficult to suffer for our decisions and actions.  It is painful to watch those whom we love suffer for our decisions and actions.  As we see over and over in the Bible, doing evil in the sight of the Lord had grave consequences for many.  Too often political leaders appear so indifferent.  Did Jehoiachin’s heart grieve for his mother who was also taken from her native land?  How did he feel knowing he was the last direct heir to the “Jewish” crown?  As prophesied by Jeremiah, his offspring would not “succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling in Judah.”  Bitter pills for a proud man of any age.  Pills Jehoiachin had to swallow in his prison cell.  As unpleasant as they are, bitter pills are often good for the soul.  Specifically, if they lead to repentance.  I suspect that is what Jeremiah and Daniel were praying for Jehoiachin.

Evil & Grace

The sands of time wear down every mortal.  Nebuchadnezzar was no exception.  The “destroyer of nations” (Jeremiah 4:7) would finally take his last breath.  His successor was a man named Evil-merodoch.  We are not told why, but Evil-merodoch showed kindness to Jehoiachin.  After thirty-seven years the iron bars were opened.  After thirty-seven years kind words were spoken to Jehoiachin.  His prison garb was exchanged for clothes worthy of the king’s court.  Jehoiachin went from a lowly prison cell to being elevated to “a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon.”  Instead of prison food, he ate every day at the king’s table.  Instead of living in need, Evil-merodoch gave him a daily allowance to meet his needs for the rest of his life.  We do not need to be told why Evil-merodoch showed this kindness to Jehoiachin.  Grace needs no explanation.  Don’t you agree?

Grace & You

What Evil-merodoch did for Jehoiachin is a picture of what God has done for you.  When you were in sin’s prison, God lifted your head and set you free.  The cruel words of the world were replaced by Heaven’s kind words.  You have been given a seat in the heavenly places with Christ, high above any “Babylonian” king.  Your prison garb was replaced by a robe of righteousness.  You have been invited to dine at the King’s table.  From His wealth, the King will provide for your needs.  Forever.  Such is grace.

How is this possible?

12 “And after the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:12-16

By the grace of God, Jehoiachin had a descendant who will sit on the throne forever.  As I said earlier, we never know what instruments God will use to carry out His plans, but we can always be certain that His Word will be fulfilled.

What does Jehoiachin mean?  Yahweh will uphold!

Jeremiah and Zedekiah

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6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 7:6-8

Chosen By God

The nation of Israel was unique.  Out of all the nations of the world, God chose them to be His special people.  God chose Israel to be His instrument to reach the nations when He chose Abraham (Abram).  When God called Abram in Genesis chapter twelve He promised to make him a great nation and make his name great.  The covenant God made with Abraham was repeated with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob.  God’s intention was for “all the families of the earth” to be blessed through Israel (Genesis 12:3).  Israel was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).  The nations would see Israel blessed for obedience to God’s word and punished for their disobedience.  Like a light on a hill, they were set up as a model nation for all the world to see.  In a sense, the vision was lost on Israel.

Rejecting God

Although God chose them to be unique, the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations.  They were not content with being a kingdom of priests.  They wanted a king.  When they asked for a king, they were rejecting God.  The God that chose them.  The God that loved them.  The God that made a covenant with them.  God warned them of the consequences but they insisted on having a king regardless.  So God gave them Saul.  When Saul was proclaimed as their first king the Israelites responded with shouts of, “Long live the king” (1 Samuel 10:24b)!  The excitement of the Israelites, however, wasn’t shared by God, “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned his back from following Me and has not performed My commandments” (1 Samuel 15:11a).

Like the kingdom he was leading, Saul turned his back on God.  The chosen rejecting the chooser.  As a man, Saul may have stood taller than his peers, but as a king, he set a low bar.  Unfortunately, that bar was lowered by many of his successors.  Although the kingdom would become divided, one thing was constant.  Too many kings were introduced with the words, “And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.”  Despite the failure of Israel’s kings, God’s love never failed.

Kings and Counsel

“And the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.” – 2 Kings 24:17

“Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.  He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.  He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.” – 2 Chronicles 36:11-12

4 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:4-5

The line of kings that began with Saul, ended with Zedekiah.  At least for the Southern Kingdom.  While Saul was handpicked by God, Zedekiah was handpicked by Nebuchadnezzar, the enemy of Israel.  When Saul was anointed as the first king, he was anointed by the prophet Samuel.  God loved Israel too much to completely abandon them to their kings.  God’s chosen nation needed direction.  They needed to hear from God.  So God chose individuals, prophets, to be his spokesmen.  From Saul to Zedekiah, Israel’s kings were guided by God’s prophets.  Although handpicked by the king of an enemy nation, Zedekiah was privy to the counsel of Jeremiah.  Unfortunately, good counsel does not always guarantee good choices.  Despite godly influence, Zedekiah “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.”  Pride once again reared its ugly head, “He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.”

Wayward Sons

Zedekiah’s father was Josiah.  The king famous for his reforms after the Book of the Law was found in the Temple.  Of Josiah, Scriptures say, “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2).  One would hope that the influence of a godly father would not be lost on his sons.  Sadly, history shows us over and over that children often wander from the spiritual footprints over their fathers.  Just ask Samuel.  While he was anointing Saul, his sons were perverting justice.

Zedekiah’s Disobedience

If Zedekiah was too proud to humbly follow the lead of his father, perhaps one could hope he would heed the advice of God’s spokesman, but he didn’t.  Jeremiah warned Zedekiah of the imminent danger presented by Babylon, but in his pride and selfishness, he rejected the word of God related through His faithful prophet.  One sentence reveals the heart of Zedekiah, “I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, lest I be handed over to them and they deal cruelly with me” (Jeremiah 38:19).

The cost of disobedience?  Destruction and devastation.  The city of Jerusalem.  The Temple.  His citizens.  His wife.  His children.  Zedekiah was willing to sacrifice all of this because he was afraid of being dealt with cruelly.  How cruel of him.  Makes me wonder what Jeremiah was thinking.

Jeremiah’s Obedience

17 “But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” – Jeremiah 1:17-19

The cost of obedience?  Persecution and sorrow.  Betrayed by relatives.  Beaten and put into stocks.  Put in prison.  Forbidden from the temple.  Placed in a dungeon cell.  Lowered into a cistern.  Jeremiah was mocked and ridiculed.  He witnessed the unfaithfulness of those around him.  He watched over and over as the counsel he conveyed on God’s behalf was rejected.  Out of His love for God and others Jeremiah was willing to endure all of this.  Through his tears, Jeremiah remained faithful to His calling.  Zedekiah might not humble himself before God, but Jeremiah did.  The contrast couldn’t be greater.

Babylonian Chains

Just as Jeremiah prophesied, Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar came calling.  God is not to be mocked.  Zedekiah ran but he could not hide.  The Babylonians captured him and acted cruelly to him.  Zedekiah’s sons were lined up before him and he was forced to witness their slaughter.  After they executed his sons, the Babylonians put out Zedekiah’s eyes.  Zedekiah would spend the rest of his life blind, but I am sure the last image his eyes ever witnessed would be forever forged in his mind.  Pride and disobedience come with a heavy price tag.

Together, Israel’s last king and God’s faithful prophet were carried into exile to Babylon.  One carried with him the promise of God, “I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”  One carried the guilt of disobedience.  One was a light on a hill in the midst of darkness.  One was blind.  Physically and spiritually.  Obedience and disobedience both come with a cost.  But obedience alone comes with a reward.  Although Jeremiah and Zedekiah were both in Babylonian chains, only one of them was a prisoner.  While Zedekiah could not see the path he was taking, Jeremiah was taking the blessings of God to the nations.  Although many could not see it, Jeremiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  Despite the circumstances, Jeremiah faithfully served a faithful God; always keeping his eyes on God, confident that the One who formed him in the womb would safely bring him home.

Comforting Promises

42 “For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them.” – Jeremiah 32:42

14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” – Jeremiah 33:14-16

22″The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”  Lamentations 3:22-24