Stay Humble And Submit All My Ways To God
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 50 and Psalm 52 (NIV)
(Loke Ai Mei, Pastoral Team Member, Christian Outreach & Social Concerns)
READ:
Jeremiah 50 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Jeremiah the prophet gives an oracle against Babylon and the gods of Babylon. God had used Nebuchadnezzar to punish Israel and his anger is now turned towards them and they will face the consequences of their actions and will be destroyed. Babylon will be plundered and will lose its wealth; the land will be inhabitable; and Babylon will no longer be a mighty kingdom. The downfall of a world power was because of its pride, oppression of God’s people, idolatry and defiance of the living God.
The people of God are described as lost sheep who have forgotten about God and followed deceptive shepherds that led them astray from God. God in His mercy and righteousness will pardon Israel’s sin as the people turn back to God and they will return to their land. The Lord Almighty is their Redeemer and He is strong. He will redeem and restore Israel.
APPLY:
1. Great and powerful men and nations are all instruments of a sovereign and mighty God whose hand can turn them in any direction He wishes (Proverbs 21:1). No matter how successful, capable or important one is, his greatness and fame is only temporary and can be taken away by God at any time.
2. God has demonstrated His love, mercy and grace for us when He sent Jesus Christ to redeem us and bring us back to Him. Have you strayed from God or do you know someone who has drifted away from God? There is hope of reconciliation as our Redeemer will extend forgiveness and restore those who sincerely repent and turn back to Him.
3. Coming together, weeping and seeking the Lord together (v4-5). There is a place for the community to come together in repentance and to seek the Lord. Hebrews 10:24-26 encourages believers to stir one another to pursue God, love and good deeds. When we have a community of believers in our lives, we keep one another accountable and support each other in our faith journey.
DO:
1. I am reminded to stay humble and to submit all my ways to God. All my accomplishments and all I have attained are temporary. I am but a steward of everything that God has given me. I should not be distracted by the pursuit of earthly treasures but should seek first God’s kingdom and surrender all I have to God for His purpose and glory.
2. I will pray for people I know who have drifted away from God.
3. In my small group, I will come together with my fellow members to seek God, repent and encourage one another.
PRAY:
Dear Father God. Thank you for loving me and never letting go of me. In times where I have sinned and gone astray, in your mercy and grace, please lead me back to your loving arms. In your warm embrace, I can release my shame, my fear, my sorrows and my sinful ways and find unconditional love and restoration. Thank you for reminding me that all I have, especially the successes and the earthy treasures are all from you. They are temporal and do not have eternal value unless they are surrendered to you and used for your Kingdom’s purpose and glory. In Jesus’ name, I am thankful and I pray this. Amen.
