Good Morning!
Last night I was praying prior to going to sleep for the night. I began by asking for God's will to be done on earth. Then I jumped into praying for individuals in my family and friends who are dear to me when I suddenly stopped and shifted my total focus to the person of God. I began thanking God for everything that He is involved in my life. On and on things kept coming to my mind where God is present in my life. I realized that God is focused on the details of my life and without Him in every part of my life...where would I be? I pray for my two sons and their families. I pray for my daughter and her family. I pray for my brother and his family. I pray for Linda's brother and his family. I pray for special friends and their families. There is security in detailing events in their lives to God and knowing that God will protect and bless them. You may think this is crazy, but, my brother-in-law and his family live on the shores of a lake in Branson, Missouri. They have two grandsons and I ask God every day to protect them while around the water. My brother has a grandson that is to be born in June and every day I ask God to protect that little boy and his mother while carrying him to birth. But...last night God let me know that He is in control of blessing and protecting each one with His loving Grace.
God is in control. Sometimes it looks like things are getting out of His control, but, God sees and God knows just what we need.
There are several prayers recorded that Jeremiah prayed during the final days of his country. They are interesting to analyze. In chapter 20 he tells God that he has been deceived by Him. He tells God that he wished the man who told people that he had been born had killed him so that he did not have to live. But, in the middle of that prayer Jeremiah says this:
"Sing to the Lord!
Praise the Lord,
for He rescues the life of the needy
from the hand of evil people." 20:13
Then in chapter 32, Jeremiah prays again. This prayer is more like the prayer I shared last night.
"Oh, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power...
Nothing is too difficult for You!
You show faithful love to thousands...
the One great in counsel and mighty in deed..." 32:17ff.
The city of Jerusalem was on the brink of falling to the Chaldeans. "Siege ramps" were already built to enter the city and destroy it. (By the way, "siege ramps" were built by the enemy so the enemy could get over the walls of the city and enter it). I visited Masada which is located on a mountain near the Dead Sea. Titus had instructed his army to kill everyone and burn the places where the people lived. It is a rugged terrain to scale that mountain. But, as we were shown, the Roman army built ramps to the gates of the city on Masada and went over the walls only to find over 900 people had taken their own lives because of the siege. This was what Jeremiah was facing in Jerusalem.
I have discovered that when the borders of a nation are compromised, so the enemy can enter, then the security of that nation is compromised and eventually will fall. This is true for America as well.
We need to pray. Let God interrupt your prayers at times and allow you to take time to thank Him for being a part of everything and everyone in your life. Take the time to announce details where His presence makes a difference in your life. Jeremiah was honest in his prayers to God. Jeremiah was totally dependent on the presence of God in his life...every detail of his life.
God is great in counsel. God is mighty in his work. Nothing is too difficult for God.
Jeremiah leaves for you a great example of how to relate to God.
The name Jeremiah in Hebrew is Yirmiyahu meaning "Yahweh will exalt." God exalted Jeremiah to be His personal messenger to the people of Judah and Israel. It was his honor to be God's voice. We can take a lot from studying Jeremiah as to how to relate and pray and communicate to God and be secure that God hears you...He knows you...He knows what is best for you...He leads you so that you are NOT alone, ever...He is involved in the details of your life because you can trust Him with every detail...and most of all "He loves you with an everlasting love!"
When you are in God...you are in a great place. Take time to thank Him for His presence in your life!
May God Bless You!
Don Betts
DBEA/campus320
DBEAWINNING.COM
TO GOD BE ALL GLORY!