Jeremiah: Prophesies of the King

The pastors and ministers of church congregations are important. They have the task of reminding God's people that He owns the world, controls history, has a covenant with His people, expects their obedience and has saved them from utter damnation. As a result of all this, ministers also remind their congregation that they have an obligation to fear God and keep His commandments. We are also reminded that judgements will befall on those who are not faithful (1 Samuel 12:25), and eternal blessings and joy will be imparted to those who are faithful (John 6:40).

Approximately 3000 years ago this task of reminding and admonishing and teaching fell upon God's prophets. These chosen men constantly called the people back to God. The commanded obedience to God, they warned of coming judgement and they promised eternal hope. That hope came in the form of a Man. God's Son.

For Our Joy

Deuteronomy 10:12-13:

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

Atheists so often have the idea that God's commandments are meant to make us gloomy or bored or sad. Some think they are there so God feels good, or so that He gets pleasure out of seeing us obey His will. Well, they're not meant to make us gloomy or bored or sad. They are meant to do the opposite. They are for our good, to make us joyful. In fact, our whole life is to be joyful.

Encourage Each Other

^{Hebrews 10:19-25:
19} Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

I want to focus on verses 24 and 25 in this meditation. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."