Good morning. Today’s Bible verse is Jeremiah 4:19:
“O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart!
My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace,
Because you have heard, O my soul,
The sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.”
As Israel faced impending destruction and God’s judgment (see Jeremiah 4:19-5:31), Jeremiah urged the leaders of the Nation of Israel and the people to abandon their idolatrous ways and turn to God. He experienced deep anguish for his nation, recognizing the just punishment awaited the people due to their rejection of God’s Law. Despite his calls for faithfulness to the Law of Moses and proper sacrifices, the leaders and people refused to listen, leading them toward judgment.
Jeremiah’s prophecies focused solely on Israel’s leaders and people, but the call for living by faith and righteousness according to God’s principles applies universally. God sets the times and seasons for humanity to connect with Him. Understanding the context and message of one’s time is vital. The truth is that those who do not believe in the God of the Bible and fail to live by faith according to His Word will face His righteous judgment, either in this life or the life to come.
Dear brothers and sisters, like Jeremiah, we may feel anguish as we observe the decline of our society and the lack of Pauline teaching. However, we are called to uphold God’s standards in today’s world, which is living by faith and proclaiming the message of redemption according to Paul’s gospel, centered on the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16,17; Romans 5:1). In the face of worldly opposition and misguided religious leaders, let us remain steadfast in our faith and the salvation we have received. We must stay true to Paul’s teachings for this dispensation, especially now when deception abounds. As ambassadors for Christ, let us encourage others to seek reconciliation with God and live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:20). Despite challenges, let us, as Jeremiah did, commit ourselves to proclaiming God’s message for the times in which we live.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Je 4:19.
How can you be a Jeremiah in your community?