The Wrong Words of the Prophets, the Wrong Deeds of the Priests, the Wrong Attitude of the People

 

"A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?" (Jeremiah 5:30-31).

It is indeed a horrible thing. There are three groups mentioned here: the prophets, the priests, and the people of God. What the prophets say is wrong; they speak words that God did not command. What the priests do is wrong; they rule by their own authority.  The people's attitude toward it all is wrong: they love it. This is what encourages the prophets to prophesy falsely and the priests to exercise false authority.

If the people had examined the prophets’ words and recognized that under the phrase "Thus saith the Lord" they were speaking their own words, and if they had rejected the false authority of the priests, the prophets and priests would not have been able to continue their false prophecies and corrupt rule.

God's people must oppose falsehood, not love it.

From my diary,

November 9, 2024

A Merciful Call to the Backsliding Heart

 

"Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” “Indeed, we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God." - Jeremiah 3:22

Here is God’s merciful invitation: return! It is addressed to the  backsliding children who had perverted their way, forgotten their God (v. 21), sinned against Him, and failed to obey His voice (v. 25).

They were backsliding, ungrateful, disobedient children, yet God offered them the chance to return with the promise: “I will heal your backslidings.”

This loving invitation received a response: “Indeed, we come to You.” They didn’t merely think about coming or dream of it—they truly came. And the reason is clear: For You are the LORD our God.

To whom else should we go? You are our Savior, our Lord.
There is no other God; You are our God.

From my diary,

November 8, 2024

The Bone-Breaking Tongue: The Soft Tongue’s Strength

"By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone." — Proverbs 25:15

The book of Proverbs has much to say about the power of the tongue and our words. In this same chapter, we read about a word fitly spoken, which is compared to golden apples. In the book of Proverbs, I see that words can be like a sword, piercing deeply, or they can be pleasant, sweet like a honeycomb, bringing sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones. This verse, however, speaks of a tongue that can break. It is the same honeycomb and the same golden apple. This is a paradox: what is soft can break what is hard. Abigail had a bone-breaking tongue; her wise and gentle words prevented David from taking revenge.

I want my words to be like honey—sweet and healing, beautiful as golden apples, and soft enough to break through hardness.

From my diary,

November 7, 2024

 

A Worship Model in Psalm 118

 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1

Psalm 118 contains all the essential elements of a worship service.

1. Invitation to praise the Lord. (vv. 1-4)

2. Personal Testimonies: the Lord answered me (v. 5), the Lord helped me (v. 13), He has become my salvation (v. 14).

3. Wise Exhortations: " It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." (v. 8)

4. Expressions of Joy: "We will rejoice and be glad in it. " (v. 24)

5. Earnest Prayer: " Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity " (v. 25).

6. Proclamation of the Lord's power: " The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly " (v. 16).

7. Personal praise: " You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You ." (v. 28).

From my diary,

November 6, 2024

God’s Assurance in Battle: Every Weapon Will Fail

 "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)

Weapons will indeed be formed against God’s people, and tongues will rise in judgment against them. Yet, the Word of God assures us that these weapons will not prosper, and every condemning tongue will be silenced. Just ask Haman: he crafted a weapon to destroy Mordecai but was ultimately hanged on it himself. Potiphar's wife may have thought that the weapon of slander she had formed was successful when she sent Joseph to prison on an unjust charge. Joseph became a ruler and is now in heaven, while Mrs. Potiphar is in hell. In the Acts of the Apostles, persecution arose against the Church, only to result in its strengthening and the spread of God’s Word. Likewise, when Daniel's three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace, they emerged unharmed—yet those who cast them in were consumed by the flames.

Satan and his servants prepare various weapons against God's people: weapons of persecution, weapons of slander, weapons of temptation to sin, weapons of false teaching, but none of them will prosper. Persecution cannot separate God's children from God's love, the slanderous tongue will one day be silenced, the armor of God will help God's children to overcome the temptation of sin, the lover of God's Word will reject false teaching through discernment. No matter the weapon formed, God’s promise stands—none will prosper against His own.

From my diary,

November 5, 2024

No Peace for the Wicked

 “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 48:22

The wicked may experience earthly imitations of peace—counterfeits of the true, heavenly original but true peace is not theirs. Jesus promised peace to His own—not to the servants of Satan. Perfect peace is for those whose minds are stayed on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3), whose consciences are clear. Sin and peace can never coexist. Those who do not trust in the Lord cannot find peace. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit possess it.

From my diary,

November 4, 2024

When Despair Speaks, God Reminds

 Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”? - Isaiah 40:27

Here, despair is rebuked. The rhetorical question “Why do you say?” essentially means “Do not say.” Our lack of faith, misplaced expectations for answers to prayers, or our own sins can make us feel as though our way is hidden from the Lord, as if our claims are ignored by Him, or that the Lord has forgotten us. Yet, in truth, God never forgets His people. He does not grow weary; instead, He gives strength to the weary, and His understanding is beyond searching.

From my diary,

November 3, 2024

Deaf to the Enemy's Voice

But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.” Isaiah 36:21

King Hezekiah wisely commanded his people not to respond to the words of the wicked king, and they showed wisdom by obeying. Arguing with the devil and his servants is not only useless but also dangerous. We should never engage in conversation with the devil; I must be deaf to his words.

In doing so, we prevent him from carrying out his evil plans.

From my diary,

November 2, 2024

Fear Not: The Promise of His Presence

 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the reward of God; He will come and save you." Isaiah 35:4

God's people need encouragement, and the greatest encouragement for them is the promise of His presence. Not just anyone, but your God will come. There’s no need for you to seek revenge—your God will come with vengeance. There’s no need to save yourself—He will save you.

Therefore, do not be afraid; instead, trust in the Lord.

From my diary,

November 1, 2024