THE LORD SPOKE (November 9)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 13

There are two kinds of false prophets. Probably many more than that, but false prophets seem to fall into two categories. There are those that weave elaborate prophesies with much detail and never seem to care if they only get 30% of it right. Or there are those who just make one big prediction (or one big prediction at a time) and then seem to fade away.

The picture Ezekiel paints of these false prophets is not a pretty one...

• they “follow their own spirit” (Ezek. 13:3)
• they have “seen nothing” (Ezek. 13:3)
• they are “like jackals among ruins” (Ezek. 13:4) - slinking away, disappearing at the sight of reality
• “their visions are false” (Ezek. 13:6,7,9)
• “their divinations a lie” (Ezek. 13:6,7,9)
• they “lead people astray” (Ezek. 13:10)
• they talk pretty and are good at coverups (Ezek. 13:10-12)
• they say, “The Lord declares,” when the Lord has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. (Ezek. 13:6)

In reply, God will...

• unleash his anger against them (Ezek. 13:13)
• tear down their work (Ezek. 13:14)
• level them, their prophesies, and those who follow them (Ezek. 13:15)

Pretty drastic, huh? Shows how concerned God is with the truth and with the proper transmission of His Word. Whatever profit there is to the prophet of falsehood, it will be eaten up. Some people will be hurt. Some can always be found who will listen to lies (Ezek. 13:19) but, sooner or later, false prophets are always going to be exposed for what they are (Ezek. 13:21). They may momentarily even “dishearten the righteous with their lies” (Ezek. 13:22) but, in the end, God will be vindicated. The ultimate glory is that He will be known as Lord (Ezek. 13:9,14,21,23).

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Psalms 107-108

The fifth and final book of Psalms (Ps. 107-150) opens with a grand slam. In language and content, Psalm 107 fits with a mini-series (Ps. 104-107) which emphasizes “God’s wonderful deeds for men” (Ps. 107:8,15,21,31). It appears to be a post-exilic recitation of those who returned from Babylon, having experienced God’s protection and restoration.

Six stanzas conclude with the last two emphasizing in a more general way how God restores the “hungry” (vs. 36) and the “needy” (vs. 41). The first four stanzas have a recurring double refrain (vs. 6,13,19,28 and vs. 8,15,21,31) and emphasize perils in the desert (vs. 4-9) and on the sea (vs. 23-32), and punishment under foreign bondage (vs. 10-16) and disease (vs. 17-22).

In every case, the response is, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (vs. 1). The concluding reminder is to forever “consider the great love of the Lord” (vs. 43). If you’ve experienced it, you know full-well that it works. Reflection upon God’s goodness is itself a great means of strengthening our soul. Remembering His past acts of mercy prepare us to trust Him for the future.

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure -
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race -
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

THE LORD SPOKE (October 15)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Jeremiah 8-10

Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns,
but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.
C.S. Lewis

Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers,
so that I might leave my people and go away from them.
Jeremiah 9:2

Lewis was happy for a get-away and the Prophet Jeremiah wished he had one. Actually, the two are not talking about the same thing but there is a valid connection to be made. And an application for your busy life.

The “pleasant inns” that Lewis speaks of are the lodgings that God allows us to enjoy along life’s way. It doesn’t have to be a fancy home. In some cases it might even be, but it doesn’t have to be. Just a quiet spot where we can retreat, relax, and be refreshed for the on-going journey. “A man’s home is his castle,” so they say, and God does often allow us to enjoy some pleasant inns. It might be a nice home or it might be as simple as a rather humble home with an old chair that fits us perfectly and provides that comfortable refuge at the end of a weary day. It could be a sun-bathed corner of the house or yard where you can get alone and let the world go on by while your soul catches up with your body. It can be any combination of comfortable surroundings that allows you to enjoy life while here on this earth.

At first glance, Jeremiah’s sigh might sound like he wishes he had a little guest house to offer hospitality to weary travelers. No - he’s wishing he had a quiet place for himself where he could get away from people and the cares of life for awhile. His desired way-side inn is a refuge from a busy life, a place where he could run and hide. We need those too. It’s a different sort of refuge where we can retreat, relax, and be refreshed for the on-going journey.

But, in both cases, we need to be reminded that this life and all its current cares are temporary. What we experience now is just getting us ready for what is yet to come so we shouldn’t get too comfortable. We are preparing and being prepared for another place. Though we’re in this world, we’re not of this world and we need to live with eternity’s values in view.

This world is not my home - I’m just a passin’ through.
My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Is that true for you or do you feel a little too comfortable in this world?


Psalms 57-58

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:10-11

The love of God is beyond description. Every particle of love that we have ever seen, or felt, or experienced in any way has had its source in God’s love. Out of His character and this divine attribute comes any knowledge we might possess of what is love. Worldly definitions fall flat and even our most noble attempts to express love are mere shadows by comparison, and very feeble.

In another place, David returns to this theme, using these words:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
Or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His love for those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:8-11

So let the love of God wash over you. Bathe in the warmth of its light. Trust in Him for those trials you are facing. Do not let your gaze be diverted; look to Him and let His love lift you up.

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.