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Turn to Jeremiah Chapter 1 – Jeremiah is one of the prophets raised up by our loving God, in Israel, at that time when the situation was serious and critical.

The nation was facing a crisis. The nation was facing the judgement of God.

We are presently being confronted with crisis after crisis – nationally and internationally – and many await some clear concise prophetic word.

Who is Jeremiah? Who is this man? Where did Jeremiah come from? Was he some extraordinary man of God – always reading the writings of Moses, preparing himself for this day - keen to rise up and speak – always praying and interceding that God should call him? No - not to begin with.

Jeremiah was reluctant to carry out the task to which God was calling him – and yet he changes over the years. When Jesus asked, “What are the people saying about me?” one of the replies was – some are saying you are Jeremiah.

In these verses we see how God speaks to a man – how God calls a man – and how God is prepared to put up with the answer NOT ME – do not call me.

In the book of Jeremiah, God speaks specifically to the nation, when the nation was declining and going to pieces. Israel was getting into all sorts of wrong relationships, and was becoming weak, morally and spiritually.

We read how the word of the Lord came to him – this is so important in the life and ministry of a prophet.

We not only have a God to whom we can talk and speak, but we have a God who speaks to us – and who wants us to talk with Him – and who wants to talk with us – primarily through Jesus Christ – and through this written word – but in various other ways too

And Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will not always say what we want him to say, or what we would like him to say. He may even say things which are contrary to what we would like to hear – but he will never speak what is contrary to what is written in the scriptures

Much of the Bible is unwelcome news.

Jesus came to save people from their sins – not only from their doubts and fears and weaknesses and sicknesses – but from our sins – and sometimes we overlook that or take it for granted.

We must never forget that through Jesus Christ we are forgiven, rescued, cleansed, washed, changed and being changed, transformed and being transformed, and redeemed.

I am brought out of darkness into light. Yes, all that is good news, but first we had to recognise and acknowledge the truth and reality of the bad situation we were in.

This is one of the tasks which God gave to Jeremiah, at the time in which he lived.

This becomes the burden of his message to the chosen people of God.

“Our loving gracious God, hear the prayers of those calling upon You, and crying to You, for help and intervention in these present days. Yes, we know that Jesus told us how situations would deteriorate and become worse, but many are hurting and wounded and in all sorts of pain, often not of their own making. Lord God, help us in our praying.” Amen.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

"Notionists"