Monday, March 6, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Jeremiah 1:11–19

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” The word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, tilted away from the north.” Then the Lord said to me: Out of the north disaster shall break out on all the inhabitants of the land. For now I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, says the Lord; and they shall come and all of them shall set their thrones at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its surrounding walls and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them, for all their wickedness in forsaking me; they have made offerings to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you. (NRSV)

Reflection

I take great delight in the angels high up in the sanctuary at Fourth Church looking down over anyone who enters the sanctuary, each angel a musician playing an instrument mentioned in Psalm 150. These angels are a constant reminder that God is watching over us in all that we do. God is always with us, even when we may turn away from God; God never leaves us and is always watching over us.

Jeremiah says several times, “The word of the Lord came to me,” so he too knew that God was watching over him. Jeremiah wants to reassure all his readers that God is with them even in the face of disaster and adversaries. “They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.” Many centuries later Jesus said to his disciple Peter a very similar statement: “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” We are reminded again and again throughout the Bible that God is with each of us and that we are not alone. This is the good news that we can put our faith in even in the darkest of times. We may forget that God is there with us, but God never leaves us.

In the words of an anonymous poem –

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me. It was not I that found, O Savior true; no, I was found of thee. Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mine enfold; I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea. ’Twas not so much that I on thee took hold, as thou, dear Lord, on me. I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole of love is but my answer, Lord, to thee! For thou wert long beforehand with my soul; always thou lovedst me.

Prayer

Loving God, thank you for finding and loving me. Thank you for walking with me through life’s journey. Amen.

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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