Obedience and Safety
I love many things about the state of Tennessee but one particular thing I love is the fact that there is a lake, river or stream around every corner. To me, this picture is a refreshing example of living water, or as my brother in the faith likes to say, “mayim chayim.” It says in Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of “living waters”, and they went and dug for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water. YAHWEH is described here as living waters which is beautiful, because water sustains life.
I don’t watch the news much these days. The only way that I get recent information about what is going on in the world is via Instagram posts and YouTube. I learned awhile back the more a person listens to the news, fear from the cares of this world will build up inside and as a follower of YESHUA I am not called to fear. It says in 2 Timothy 1:7 For Elohim has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of good discipline. We are also not to be distracted by the cares of this world as stated in Luke 21:33-34 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34: But take heed to yourselves that your hearts may not become heavy by the extravagance and drunkenness and worries of this world, and that day come suddenly upon you. What day is YESHUA talking about here? Luke 21:27 Then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with a large army and great glory. However before this day, the world will be shaken with wars, famine and pestilence and during these times we are not to fear. We must not allow the news and calamities shake our faith in YESHUA.
So to continue on from last week, I’m still reading in the book of Jeremiah and he is another good example of one who obeyed YAHWEH and did not allow his faith to be shaken even in the face of being beaten and imprisoned. By chapter 39 YAHWEH had made good on His promises of judgement and captivity of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon, had all of his army come against Jerusalem and they overtook the city. Many died including the princes and the priests who ignored Jeremiah’s warnings. The King of Judah Zedekiah, and his sons were captured, Zedekiah’s sons were killed in front of him, then they cut out his eyes. Jeremiah in the name of YAHWEH had warned Zedekiah but instead, he burned the scroll Baruch (Jeremiah’s scribe) brought to him containing the prophetic judgement that would come upon him. Much like YESHUA’S warning in Luke, many people today are not taking seriously the prophetic words of YESHUA; behaving as if these warnings are not real or do not pertain to them.
By chapter 40, we read that Nebuzaradan the general of the guard of the King of Babylon’s army freed Jeremiah while all else around him was destroyed or taken into captivity. Jeremiah 40:4 And now, behold I release you this day from the chains which are upon your hands. If you wish to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take good care of you; but if you do not wish to come with me to Babylon, remain here, Behold all the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, thither go. I love this passage as we see YAHWEH’s faithfulness. He was faithful to bring judgement for the children of Judah’s transgressions as He repeatedly said He would; but He was also faithful to those who were obedient to Him even if it was only Jeremiah, and as well Baruch. Baruch showed sorrow over the destruction coming upon the land however we see YAHWEH telling Jeremiah to bring a word to Baruch in Jeremiah 45:5 And as for you who once sought great things for yourself, seek nothing that is of great value: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, says YAHWEH, but I will let you save your life in all countries where you go. He is basically telling him don’t settle down in this place and try to build a life. After YAHWEH’S judgement, there will be nothing of value to build upon. However he has allowed Baruch to live and to move on to all other countries enabling him to start over. In YAHWEH, faithfulness is a two way street.
My brothers and sisters, we are living in a time where we really need to pay attention to the scriptures. YAHWEH loves us and wants to save us from His coming judgement but we need to come out of the world. We need to let go of everything that keeps us distracted from hearing His voice and knowing His will. If we truly understand the coming destruction of this world, then we should put ourselves in the place of Baruch and not focus on building up empires, getting degrees and moving up the ladder at work; it will all be destroyed by the hand of YAHWEH, making way for His Kingdom to come where YESHUA will reign. Now is the time to get on the right side of this spiritual battle by walking in obedience to our Father in Heaven. The famines, plagues, and wars will come and when they do, don’t you want to be safely under the wing of His Torah? I know I do, as this is what will set us apart from the world, identifying us as His children bearing His mark. Let’s be kingdom minded in YESHUA!
Shalom!
Just a few supporting scriptures
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of “living waters”, and they went and dug for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water.
-Jeremiah 2:13
For Elohim has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of good discipline.
-2 Timothy 1:7
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34: But take heed to yourselves that your hearts may not become heavy by the extravagance and drunkenness and worries of this world, and that day come suddenly upon you.
-Luke 21:33-34
Then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with a large army and great glory.
-Luke 21:27
And now, behold I release you this day from the chains which are upon your hands. If you wish to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take good care of you; but if you do not wish to come with me to Babylon, remain here, Behold all the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, thither go.
-Jeremiah 40:4
And as for you who once sought great things for yourself, seek nothing that is of great value: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, says YAHWEH, but I will let you save your life in all countries where you go.
-Jeremiah 45:5
Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says YAHWEH and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18: And will be a Father to you and you shall be my sons and daughters, said YAHWEH Almighty.
-2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
-Colossians 3:2
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. He who loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16: For all that is in the world is the lust of the body, the covetousness of the eyes, and the pride of material things; these things do not come from the Father but from the world. 17: And the world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he who does the will of Elohim abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17