A Battle Of Pride

Date: Friday, August 22, 2014
Today's Chapters: Jeremiah 43-45
Message Title: A Battle Of Pride

Hello My Friend,

Over the years, and especially this year, I have noticed something, hostility. I was reading some comments about a woman who called the police on someone because she used profanity in front of her kids. People began making rude and offensive comments about their right to say whatever they want in public. Today, people fight over everything from cake mixes to copyrights, to paint colors. What does that tell me? Jesus is coming very soon. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” - Matthew 24:6-8,12-14.

When Jeremiah returned to Judah after being set free, it probably was not the best decision he made, but since he was there God was about to use him to save a few more people who would be caught up in a revolt. Johanan might have appeared as though he had it all together and wanted to help the Jews get to safety, but it was all a plot to escape to Egypt. When Johanan and his followers sought Jeremiah for direction from God, He knew that they had no intentions of listening to Him. Just as He thought, they revolted and went to Egypt, taking the Jews and Jeremiah with them.

“And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words, Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there: But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah; Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah. So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.” - Jeremiah 43:1,2,5-7.

God gave us His Word so that we can grow with Him, understand Him more, and learn His will for our lives. We are all different people with different lives, different lifestyles, and different views, but we should all come down to one conclusion. God used forty inspired men to pen down His Word, yes forty, from different generations, but they all came to the same conclusion, the blood of Christ, and there are thousands of transcripts to prove it. More and more people are revolting God's Word, including those who claim to want Him in their lives. Sadly, they do not act alone, and end up dragging believers with them.

Because of their revolt, not only will they suffer, but everyone that got pulled into the mess too. God reminds them of why He allowed the destruction of Judah, and that they cannot run. They still did not listen, this time insulting God by telling Him that they are in the mess they are in because they stopped worshiping their gods and turned to Him. Jeremiah tries to reason with them, to no avail. “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying, The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?” - Jeremiah 44:16-18,20,21.

The typical response to anyone not really wanting to follow Christ, “Everything was going great until I came to you.” The truth is, everything is not going great, and anyone who tells you that their wicked, immoral, profanity filled life is the greatest is deceiving themselves. Okay, I am not the judge of people, we all have our own faults, not one of us is perfect, and we are all sinners, but people have no one to blame for the affliciton they face, but themselves, and usually the first person they blame is God. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” - Romans 1:28-32.

While all the people got dragged into Egypt, not all wanted to follow Johanan, God assures them of their safety if they return to Judah, but has a thing or two to say to those who revolted. “Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them. Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs. And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil: Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.” - Jeremiah 44:27-30.

How aggravating to know that because these arrogant fools refused to leave Egypt that the same destruction that fell upon Judah would come upon them. Although Egypt had their fair share of reasons to have judgment placed upon them, that did not excuse them for refusing to leave and causing problems for the people of Egypt. Let me tell you, as much as I know God wants us to love one another, I despise people who cause problems for others for their own selfish gain. While we all have some selfish tendencies, hurting others to get what we want is not an option. Pride, it's the root of war, no one wants to be told how to live their lives, but everyone wants to tell others how to live theirs. The way to living a great life is not revolting against God or anyone else, it's about losing our pride. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” - 1 Peter 6-9.
Today's Prayer: God, The world is getting more and more proud, we are fighting over things that have no merit, and innocent people are getting caught up in it all. Lord, soften some hearts, help them to let go of their pride, and turn to You. Be with those who are caught up in the middle of a battle of the proud, bring them to safety, and let them know You are near and will take care of them. Give us Your power, wisdom, and guidance to go where You tell us to go, help us reach some who are in the midst, and give us Your strength to endure the trials we face. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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