Prayer
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (Psalm 1:1-3) Amen!
Today’s Hymn
Words: James Montgomery, Songs of Zion, 1822, alt.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Click here for tune.
The Lord is my Shepherd, no want shall I know;
I feed in green pastures, safe folded I rest;
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand’ring, redeems when oppressed.
Through valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since Thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear;
Thy rod shall defend me, Thy staff be my stay;
No harm can befall, with my Comforter near.
In midst of affliction my table is spread;
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er;
With perfume and oil Thou anointest my head;
O what shall I ask of Thy providence more?
Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God,
Still follow my steps till I meet Thee above;
I seek, by the path which my forefathers trod,
Through land of their sojourn, Thy Kingdom of love.
Thought Provoker
On my office desk I have a big, cold, hard rock that I found perfectly shaped like a heart. Over the years it has become a great teaching reminder of how hard our hearts can become from sin. It would take an extraordinary tool to break the rock apart. The diamond engraving bit is one of the few cutting tools that is hard enough to surgically etch its way through the rock. Today, Jeremiah reminds us that the hearts of Judah had become so hard from sin that it would take nothing less than the diamond bit of God’s judgment to break it loose (v. 1).
Dad’s Study
Sin had become entrenched in Judah. Their idolatry and wickedness had increased as it was passed on from generation to generation (vs. 2-3). This brings us to the heart lessons of Jeremiah’s prophecy. First, there are only two kinds of men. There are those who trust in themselves (vs. 5-6) and those who trust in God (v. 7). Those who trust in themselves think that man is the solution to all of life’s problems. They are cursed by God. God withdraws His blessings from their lives. They become like dried up plants in the desert (v. 6). But the man who puts his trust in God is blessed. He is like the tree planted by the river and does not cease to bear much fruit in life (v. 8).
Why is it that so few trust in God? Why is it that the vast majority of mankind, in futility, continue to trust in themselves? You have to look no further than your own fallen heart (v. 9).The natural heart has two things wrong with it. First is that it is deceitful. It appears to be what it isn’t. It masks its true nature. It has the ability to convince itself and others that it is good and true and full of love when in fact it is corrupt to the core. It is a poisoned well from which springs all wickedness.
Who can understand his own heart? No one except God can accurately searches out the heart. Without Him revealing it you will blindly keep making excuses for your sin. You will be like the singer on the television talent show who gives it his best in front of the judges only for the song to sound flat and lifeless. With all thumbs down the judges agree that he cannot carry a tune. How does the singer respond? He stubbornly leaves, calling the judges names and arguing that they don’t know what they are talking about. He argues, “I’m a great singer! Everyone loves my singing!” What’s wrong with the singer? He’s deceived. He cannot hear the awful notes coming off of his liPsalm He continues to make bad music, deceived into thinking that he is something he is not.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
How then can a man’s heart ever be changed? How can you know your heart? God must first reveal it and then change it. God calls you to the throne of Christ (v. 12). There you will find Jesus who has died on a cross to purchase life and forgiveness to all who cry out for mercy, salvation and healing (v. 14). Like the diamond drill, only God can chisel away at your heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. If you are still trusting in yourself, come to Christ for forgiveness and blessing. If you have been delivered from your sins by His matchless grace, stop and give Him thankful praise for His loving kindness, and purpose to live before Him uprightly!
Catechism
Question 52
Q. Which is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
