"Isn't that what it means to know me?"
Jeremiah 22:16
Jeremiah 22:16
Sometimes the simplicity of God's Word amazes me, does it you? So many times in our walk with the Lord we try to complicate Him and what He expects of us. We take His Word and try to make it mean more than what it says. We invest time researching and digging into the deeper meaning of the scriptures. I am in no way suggesting that researching and digging into scripture is a bad thing or that we should invest our time in something other than God's Word. Digging into and researching scripture is one of my favorite things to do. I just find in quite humorous of the Lord when He throws in simplicity and we miss it.
In our key scripture God is talking about Josiah, who if you remember did what was right in the sight of the Lord. The Lord is comparing Josiah to his son, Jehoiakim who did evil in the sight of the Lord.
The words were right there, so clear and simple I almost missed them. I had to back up and reread. Did that verse just tell me what it means to know God? I want to know the Lord. Like usual, I started digging, thinking I would uncover a mystery in the word know. I chucked at what I found. The word means knowledge, perception, skill, discernment, understanding, wisdom.
Josiah knew the Lord. What does it mean to know the Lord? The Lord answers the question in the beginning of verse sixteen: give justice and help the poor and needy. When we give justice and help the poor and needy we will know God. We will receive a perception, understanding, and discernment of Him that we would not otherwise have.
Dear Lord, help us to know you. We would love to have a perception and understanding of you that we have never had before. Help us not to be so lofty in our thinking that we overlook the obviously simple in your Word.
7 Comments:
Wendy,
Such a good word. Simple. Wise. Living.
So glad She Speaks was so wonderful. Can't wait to hear more!
Praying for you as you get back into life this week.
love, lisa
Morning Ladies,
Ya know in this world where we seem to have so many choices, too many really, it's simply just overwhelming...then, Dear Wendy, you remind us of where it all began! Who it is all about. What is really important. Knowing God. With life bombarding us everyday we can always count on one thing to never change---God's Word. The Holy Bible. We can wake up day after day, knowing its words will remain forever unchanged.
I pondered over Jeremiah 26:2, "give them my entire message; include every word." From my study Bible I found other verses that are similar: Deut. 4:2, 12:32, Proverbs 30:6 and Revelation 22:18 & 19. The verses specifically point to the warning written in Revelation: "If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (NIV)
Lord, I look forward to seeking You today in everything. You are all around me. Thank you that I am never alone; You are always present. My desire is to know you better today. Thank you for your Word. I love you with all of my heart. Amen.
Enjoy today dear friends! Lori - AZ
Blessings of the day to all of you!
What a powerful message we receive in today's text! Excellent commentary Wendy - thank you so much!
When we think and look too hard we can miss what is right under our noses...we can miss the joy...OR...worse...as the wise men noted when time to weigh in on whether or not to kill Jeremiah - "we are about to do ourselves great harm." (Jer 26:19e)
Twenty three years of warnings and seventy years of captivity. We are indeed a stubborn people.
How lucky are we our God and Father is such a patient and loving teacher!
Lord Jesus, today I open myself to you to keep me reminded of the simple joy & truth of my servitude. You are my life!
Recommitted,
Liz
AK
Hey, Wendy!! I am sitting in front of the computer--duh!--with my She Speaks book opened to one of the best sessions that I attended--they all were wonderful! But for His reasons, God used yours to truly speak and minister to my heart. You see, I had signed up for another session! Kristen and Dianne encourged me to stay and hear you. Then, when you told me to go and get that Cherry coke and run on back, I knew God was up to something!
Since I returned, I have actually used the cross-reference study in my NIV Bible!! I am writing down the scriptures that went with our names in the prayer room and the scriptures from the cross. Mine go hand in hand!! Not a big surprise knowing that God had this in store!
Anyway, He used you to light a fire under me that needed to be stronger!!I'm getting ready to go to my online resources that you made available!! Thank you sweet friend! Wendy's 1 and 2 have challenged me and given me insight --through Him--as to what I need to be doing. I am not going to lead a study this fall! I am going to be a student in HIS WORD before I lead another study! I needed to hear that from you!! Thank you again!! Do you have email or something in case I have crazy questions??
Love Ya!
Susan
I'm a scripture digger, too. You're right that sometimes "know" simply means "know."
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Wendy, what a great verse! I'm so glad you highlighted it. I completely missed it! Such a vast difference between knowing about Him and knowing Him.
I highlighted a phrase from the verse before your verse, "...a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!"
Jehoiakim may have inherited his father Josiah’s wealth, but he did not and could not inherit his faith. A magnificent castle doesn’t guarantee moral character. Greatness cannot be achieved by the accumulation of great things. As the title of Chip Ingram’s book suggests we go from “Good to Great in God’s Eyes" through obedience and a personal relationship with the Lord. Again, it comes back to truly knowing Him.
The world tries to achieve greatness through position, power, possessions, people, promotion and pride. These are empty investments.
1 Timothy 6:18 instructs us to “be rich”, not get rich. Everyone wants a piece of the rock. We need to invest in the Rock. We can’t buy faith, but we can invest in our faith.
God’s Word reminds me in Luke 12:15, “for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” We may have earthly wealth, but our security for future wealth comes from taking “hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim.6:19)
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6) Therein lies life indeed.
Our castles here present a false security, but building on Christ as our foundation will ensure a mansion for eternity.
Is my life being built on gold or God?
Blessings to you all today,
Joy
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