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Last Week’s Work

LESSON(S) LEARNED
Four impressions I have from this study and what I’ve learned:

• I know this prophecy was written by Jeremiah directly to his fellow countrymen, but the promise of the Righteous Branch is for all of us, too.
• The repeated reassurances that destruction, pain, and loss are not forever show us God does not forget His covenants. Unfair treatment we endure in this lifetime will end for us.
• Though written by many men over hundreds of years, the Bible’s message is unbelievably consistent. When God makes a promise, it will be fulfilled. Sometimes we can see that fulfillment clearly in Scripture; other times we must wait for His perfect timing.
• When all His promises are fulfilled, everyone who embraces Jesus as Lord will be made whole, and evil will be dealt with accordingly. We will all dwell safely, securely, and have no worries; everything will be provided for us by our loving God (YHWH Yir·’eh). What an awesome future we have as believers!

CONVICTION

Again, I feel the loving reprimand of the Spirit: why worry? The momentary, light affliction I experience now may never be fully removed from my mortal life, but I know my spirit will continue after my body ceases to function. Even if I don’t survive whatever physical ordeal I’m facing, it just means my spirit will transition to life with Jesus where there is no pain. Why should I ever complain about anything?

CORRECTION

“And because of [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).” The Spirit helped me see complaining is really admitting how my spiritual enemies have gotten the better of me. It’s almost like admitting defeat! No matter how bad my situation looks, I know Who will win in the end. Especially when I’m struggling, I must remember the end of this conflict is coming and, with God, I’m on the winning side.

ACTION PLAN

I believe the LORD is calling me to discipline my mind to stop complaining, grieving, and whining. I know this will not be easy. In my not-so-humble opinion, I am a truly gifted lamenter. But I know that behavior and mindset strengthen the power of the enemy, and I’m done enabling his control in my life! This isn’t the first time I’ve resolved to address this issue. But now, I’m determined to train myself to look at my left wrist when I want to whine about something. I have two scars in that area that I’ll use to remind me of Jesus’s sacrifice. He was the promised Righteous Branch Jeremiah mentions in this passage and an outstanding example of God keeping His promises. Even if life is difficult now, I know the Righteous Branch is coming back and the best is yet to come!

Our Next Study

My friend, I hope you’ve been as blessed as I have digging into Scripture in this series. So far, we’ve learned about the LORD, our Shepherd, the LORD of Hosts, the LORD, our Provider, and the LORD, our Righteousness. There are two more names of God I want to explore with you this year.

I hope you’ll plan to join me next week as I go back to the Old Testament again to learn about the LORD, our Healer in Exodus 15:22-27. See you then!