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Jeremiah is our prophet of the day (perhaps for several days, given this is another long book!), and he is the mouthpiece of the Lord.
Jeremiah is speaking of the impending doom and devastation that is to come to the children of Israel when they will be carried off to captivity as prisoners of war by the kings of Babylon. That is a day that is coming, says Jeremiah, and this is what one can expect:
15 People of Israel,” declares the LORD,
“I am bringing a distant nation against you—
an ancient and enduring nation,
a people whose language you do not know,
whose speech you do not understand. 16 Their quivers are like an open grave;
all of them are mighty warriors. 17 They will devour your harvests and food,
devour your sons and daughters;
they will devour your flocks and herds,
devour your vines and fig trees.
With the sword they will destroy
the fortified cities in which you trust.
Turning now to our reading of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we find Paul carefully explaining to the new believers that comprise the church in Colossae, the meaning of their new-found faith in Christ Jesus.
He says, speaking of the divinity of Jesus and how this fits into God’s plan:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Paul is contrasting the life of the past with the new life received through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and how that blood has the power of reconciliation between our sinful selves and life eternal. It is both simple and sublime in its great profundity. This is the essence of the gospel or good news, and this is what Paul preaches to one and all.
He says: 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul’s goal is to constantly encourage his readers, and build them up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
He says to them: 1 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
And finally, he closes with a firm exhortation:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Is that sufficiently clear, gentle reader? Continue to live your lives in him!
Next, we turn to our reading of the psalms, and we find David, the psalmist, employing a simple yet highly effective means to encourage himself in his dark hour. Instead of constantly lamenting the fact that he is in trouble and wondering why the arm of the Lord is not present to rescue him, David decides to reminisce about the many times that the Lord has indeed extended his arm of help. David says:
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Is that not such a beautiful way of distracting oneself from one’s woes? May it be that we too take time to remember the many deeds of the Lord.
Finally, from the book of Proverbs, a few additional “sayings” authored by Solomon, wise king of Israel:
To show partiality in judging is not good: 24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. 25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come on them.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word. Amen.
