3 Things I Learned From the Prophet Jeremiah

-Noami Hamstra

          I have been studying the book of Jeremiah recently, and today I wanted to share with you three things that I’ve learned from the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a prophet of God who prophesied during the reign of king Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. He prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel and to the southern kingdom of Judah.

1. God is faithful
         

First, I learned so much about the faithfulness of God! Jeremiah was commanded to prophesy to the people of Israel and Judah. Both nations were rebellious and sinful. They worshiped the false gods of other nations. They rejected the Word of the Lord and did not obey God’s commandments. 
          God had made a covenant with the people of Israel and Judah: “And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly”(Genesis 17:2). The Lord was faithful in His covenant with His people, but His people broke their side of the covenant which was a serious offense. 
          God continually pleaded with His people to obey His Word. After the Lord punished His people through captivity and slavery, the Lord gathered them back to Himself, so that they would be His people and He would be their God. 
          I love how the Lord is continually faithful with His people even when they sin. We are just as faithless as Israel. But when we repent, the Lord faithfully leads us in the way of His righteousness.

2.  I must be obedient

          Secondly, I learned from Jeremiah to be obedient to God and confident in Christ. God commanded Jeremiah to be a prophet to the rebellious people. He said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations…But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:5-8 
          Jeremiah did not believe what the Lord told him would be the best for him, and he did not think he was equipped to do it. The Lord responded by saying He knew before Jeremiah was born that he would be a prophet. 
          Whatever the Lord tells us to do, we must do! We do not have to be afraid, because the Lord is with us and He knows us. He created us to serve and glorify Him in the way He ordains for us, and because of this, we can have confidence in Him.

3. I must be satisfied in Christ        

          The third thing I learned from the prophet Jeremiah is satisfaction in Christ. When the Lord brought His people back to Himself there was much rejoicing and thankfulness. They rejoiced with thankful hearts because they were in the Lord and did not need anything else! Jeremiah 30:17 says, “I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” 
          The Lord is good to His people, and the Lord says we can be satisfied in Him. When I think about how good the Lord is to me, I become even more grateful for what I have and for what He has done for me. When we know the Lord and have the gift of salvation, we have the best thing on this earth and for all eternity.

          When I first started reading and studying Jeremiah, I did not expect to learn as much as I did. I love how I can see the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord through Jeremiah’s life. The Lord is always faithful to His people. 
          I close with this verse from Psalm 13: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” This verse sums up the book of Jeremiah very well. 
          Being a prophet was not easy, but Jeremiah had to trust in the steadfast love of God, and when he did, he was able to rejoice in the salvation of the Lord. This is how I want to live, and I encourage you to trust in God’s steadfast love and rejoice in the gift of salvation He has given to you if you are in Christ.  

Have you read Jeremiah? What are your thoughts? Which of these points convicted you the most?

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3 Reasons You Should Read Your Bible Every Day

-By Miriam Hamstra

           One topic that is stressed in the Christian life, maybe even to the point of cliché, is the subject of a daily devotional life. Why is that so? Well, I believe that we won’t be able to answer this question until we know three things. First, the power of God’s Word. Second, what the Bible says about reading the Word. And finally, the reason consistency in the Word matters. 

1. God’s Word is powerful

          Looking at Hebrews 4:12 we see the very power of God’s Word. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Some translations say “living and active”. When we read the Word, it pierces our soul and spirit. It is the Word that changes us.           

          The Word of God is not just words on a page, but the very words of God! When we read and study it, it is just as if God were speaking to us.  People who think that God doesn’t speak to His people as He did in the Old Testament have missed the very power of the Word. The Word tells of the high glory of God. It is from God, and it speaks to us.

2. The Bible commands it

          There are several reasons why God gave us His Word. We will look at three of them.

God gave us His Word to equip us. 

          “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)  

God also gave us His Word that we may know Jesus Christ. 

          The Word of God contains the gospel and the entire Word is an revealing of His redemption plan. “Then He [Jesus] said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46,47)  People come to faith in Christ by the power of the Word being preached. 

Finally, God also gave us His Word as a weapon against sin.  

          When Satan hears the Word of God, he runs and flees from it. I have found this to be true in my own life. When I refute the lies that tempt me with God’s Word, I can avoid sin. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) This is a lesson that I have grasped recently. My godly mentor taught me the importance of using God’s Word as a weapon against sin. She has taught me what it means to take up the Sword of the Spirit.

3. Consistency in reading the Word every day matters

          What does the Bible say about meditating and studying God’s Word?  The psalmist says in Psalm 119:23, 24 “Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”

          We see here that we are to delight in the Word. In Psalm 19 it says, “The commandment of the Lord is sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” This Word encourages and fills us. It guides us in our lives and is a lamp to our path. Those who meditate on it will gain wisdom and grow in their faith. 

          The Word is one of the means by which we grow in our faith.  Psalm 1 is a great picture of the person who delights in the Word of God. Verses 2 and 3 say, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Trees that are nourished grow to be big and strong. It is important for us as women to be planted strong in the faith. More than anything in our culture today women need to be planted in the truth. We need to be like a strong trees that are not moved when new ideas contrary to God’s Word come along. 

          I think with all that we see here, we know why consistency matters. In order to grow in our faith we need to be consistently rooted in the Word. As a piano player I know what dedicated practice means. If I want to learn a song, I need to practice consistently! If my practicing was hit or miss, a day here and a day there, I would never accomplish my goal of playing beautiful music. Our endeavor to become women of God is the same. We need to be dedicated to the  study of God’s Word. You will see that the more you soak yourself in God’s Word and pour over it, the more you will want to be in it. 

          This is a lesson that I have learned just recently, and I can tell you that it is a valuable lesson to learn. Ask God to reveal Himself and teach you from His Word. He is faithful and dedication to His Word will bring fruit.  I love this verse in Psalm 119:165 that says, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” When the storms of life come, and the hurts and hardships are many, those who love God’s Word have the peace of God with them. Nothing, even the deepest pains and wounds, can make them stumble.

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies!” 

Psalm 119:36

Miriam Hamstra is from the state of Indiana, and she loves life there. Adopted at 14 months old, she is originally from Russia. She enjoys competition of any kind, especially sports. Miriam’s greatest passion is writing and pointing others to Christ through written words. She loves sharing the great truths of the Word with others, and she finds joy in telling them about God’s love and faithfulness in her life. She also enjoys spending time with her family which includes her twin sister. She enjoys playing volleyball and basketball, spending time with friends, and playing music with her sister.

          For more resources on this topic, please check out these Morning Glory article, 10 Tips for Beating a Crush: Spending Time with God, and the GirlDefined articles: 5 Easy Ways to Read Your Bible, 3 Quick Tips to Improve Your Personal Devotions, 5 Quick Tips to Having an Awesome Quiet Time. Also, join Morning Glory's Daily Devotional and choose what days you want to receive a devotional in your inbox!
 

Do you read your Bible every day? What tips do you have for others who are struggling to do so? Which reason listed above do you feel like is the most important? Share in the comments!

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