Remember God At All Times
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 37 and Psalm 41 (NIV)
(Cassandra Leung, Pastoral Team Member, Children’s Ministry)
READ:
Jeremiah 37 and Psalm 41 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Jeremiah 37 – We see how the appointed king, Zedekiah, and the people in Judah did not give attention to the words of the Lord, that was brought to them through the prophet Jeremiah. They did not listen and their relationship with God was not right. Verse 3 tells us that King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and asked for prayer.
Was God pleased? No! Our God is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 6:15). He had graciously sent Jeremiah to warn the people to take heart and to listen.
Psalm 41 – David, the author, in this prayer gave the assurance of God’s care for the weak, the sick and the needy.
APPLY:
When I fall short of the glory of God and sin, God is displeased. He allows me the freedom to choose, whether rightly or wrongly, because He loves me (much like what I like to do to my children). It breaks His heart when I am not righteous, not in His likeness. He will be upset and angry.
However, He is a compassionate God, full of love and He will send warnings to me, either directly or indirectly. It could be from the words of the Bible as I read. So I am mindful not to speed read without delving into the meaning of the words or to skip a line or two. It could be through someone, like a Jeremiah. I note that if I am close to God, I will hear His prompting for me to repent and return to Him saying, doing and thinking what is right.
I also noted that God will not be pleased when I only remember Him when I am in a fix. Even if I utter a sincere prayer, I know I have hurt my God because I have not included Him in good times (with thanksgiving on my lips).
DO:
I shall keep God close to my heart all the time and be sensitive to listen to His promptings and guidance. I enjoy running or walking early in the morning when all are quiet and peaceful. For many years, I have incorporated prayer as I run or walk. It is good and right to begin my day with God in heart and mind, to set out with clean hands and a pure heart under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As a mother, I would love my children to come to me not just for help and support but to share with me their happy times as well. I am all ears to the details of what happened in their day. It is exactly the same relationship my Father would want of me. Guide me to be in the right posture.
PRAY:
Dear Father God, we want to centre our lives on You. Give us our senses to decipher Your ways and choose our options with Your wisdom. Let us not be blinded by the world view and be caught up with activities that draw us away. Check us and make straight our paths. Have mercy on us when we de-rail. Bring us back on track with gentleness.
We pray in Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.
