A FIRE AND A ROCK

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 23

Key Verse: Jeremiah 23:29

"Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord,

"And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

The word "oracle" is repeated eight times in today's reading. Obviously, many were claiming to be prophets of God, but they were proven to be false prophets. The dictionary defines an oracle as one who gives "a message that is typically ambiguous or obscure."  That's quite the opposite to the message given by Jeremiah!  "A hammer" and "a fire" are strong and powerful words. A prayer chorus sung in some churches goes, "Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Break me! Melt me! Mold me and use me!"

The Word of God, as we read it in this daily two-year journey through the Bible, should have that effect on us. The idea of an "oracle" was so misused by so-called prophets that God said, "Do not say, oracle of the Lord."  Why? He said, "You have perverted the words of the living God" (Jeremiah 23:36). May God give us wisdom to discern His true message, as well as when His words are being twisted and used for selfish purposes.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, by the hammer and the fire of Your Word, we ask You to do whatever is necessary in us to mold us into all You want us to be. In and through the Person and work of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!

For more on today's reading, please visit 100words.ca