Reading
SAA Notes
Jeremiah brings to God one of the BIG QUESTIONS! Why do the wicked prosper? Think about God’s answer to Jeremiah in the rest of the chapter.
SJA Notes
* God Above, please help us understand today why the wicked seem to prosper but how You are still in control.
“Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?”
Jeremiah struggles with a big question, one that we will struggle with as well,
Why do the wicked prosper?
An important truth in our wrestling is PERSPECTIVE.
Our thinking on what it means to prosper is so often bound up in the _now_, in the earthly and temporal.
God’s word clearly tells us that real blessing comes through obedience to Him, our God.
Disobedience is a broad road that ends in destruction (Matthew chapter 7).
As well – We cannot trust what our own eyes and minds tell us about these things.
We are broken, prone to ugly jealousy and bitterness.
We should treat with suspicion our own thoughts on the matter, at least with a good dose of scepticism.
God’s answer to Jeremiah is the answer we see throughout scripture.
We need Jesus! God’s compassion, His steadfast love and faithfulness, His grace and mercy – Seen in sending Himself as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of His people.
We need Jesus! A better king, a righteous head of the church.
And we need what Jesus brings, new hearts and a new spirit, born again into a new life.
* Father God,
Please help us to trust in You for we are weak and frail.
Please help us to seek Your blessing, to reject searching anywhere else.
Please remind us that it is Your love that is steadfast, Your mercy true, Your blessing that matters.
Amen.