broken yokes

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1530Jeremiah 27-28

How Jeremiah wanted to believe that his people would have relief from their oppression.  He wanted Hananiah’s prophecy to be true, but it was not.  He wanted the yoke of slavery to be broken.  But the time was not right.  God would eventually break the yoke, but it did the people no good to proclaim to them that now was the time.  Likewise, we do the people of God no service, and we do not honor the LORD when we insist on preaching nothing but the positive and encouraging.  The whole word of God includes the fact that he judges sin, even in his own house.

LORD, we trust you, and we will wait for your deliverance. We will resist the temptation to add to what you have promised.

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seal

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1527Song of Solomon 8:1-7

The seal of ownership.  Love, sealed by marriage becomes a lifetime of security and belonging.  It becomes familial.  That is as it should be.  Love should not be awakened until it has become that lifetime commitment.

LORD, teach us to be cautious with love until it is ready to be a lifelong commitment.

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precious words

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1529Jeremiah 26

Jeremiah was simply doing his job, but sharing the word for God put his life in danger.  People do not appreciate the word of judgment.  It is a heavy burden to bear, but those who are given the burden must bear it, as Jeremiah did.  The LORD provided those with sound judgment who rescued Jeremiah from those who sought his life until his work was done.  These are precious words, to be respected like the saints who delivered them to their own peril.

LORD, give us an appreciation for the cost of sharing your truth.

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new and old

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1526Song of Solomon 7:10-13

 

The bride invites her beloved to explore all the joys that their mutual love can bring.  She takes pleasure in the fact that her groom desires her, and wants to share the choice fruits of that love – the new experiences as well as the old. 

LORD, thank you for the joy and the adventure of marital love.

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he took the cup

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1525Jeremiah 25:15-38

Jeremiah symbolically offers a drink to all the nations, which represents their suffering from the wrath of God.  All the nations must take of it, and then finally Babylon itself.  John picks up this same vision in Revelation 18, because Babylon represents all the rebellious kingdoms of the world, and that cup represents God’s wrath against them at Armageddon.  Jerusalem and Judah take of it first, because God’s wrath is poured out against them in Jeremiah’s time.  Jesus took the cup at his final supper with his disciples, knowing that it represents God’s wrath against sin. He suffered on the cross in our place.

LORD, thank you for Jesus, who took the cup for us.

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that we may look

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1523Song of Solomon 6:13-7:9

When the all male chorus asks the Shulammite woman to return so that they may look upon her, the prince intervenes.  Her beauty is reserved for him.  Pornography parades the sacred sexual life and makes a mockery of its intimacy. 

LORD, thank you for the intimate life you have provided within the marriage bonds.  May we not defile it.

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two wrongs

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1525Jeremiah 25:1-14

Jeremiah preached for 23 years to a nation who refused to listen.  Now he predicts that Judah will experience what the nations did when they first came to the land.  They will be devoted to destruction, and the land will be laid waste for 70years. After that, the LORD will punish its servant, Nebuchadnezzar.  Might does not make right.  Even the fact that God is allowing it for his own purpose does not make Babylon’s cruelty right.

LORD, we pray for those nations  who are undergoing wars and calamities.  We ask you to intervene in their suffering, and bring those who are destroying them to justice.

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before I was aware

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1522Song of Solomon 6:4-12

The beautiful young lady is just going about life, not aware of the destiny that she will live.  She find herself among the chariots of her kinsman, a prince.  He sees her, and she is the only one for him. So a relationship begins.  Such is the gift of human love that the LORD gives us.

LORD, we cannot understand how love happens, but teach us to honor you as the giver of this great gift.

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figs

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1518Jeremiah 24

The people of Judah in Jeremiah’s time are symbols – not just of God’s people – but of all people.  The ones who repent and turn back to God are the good figs, and will return to the God and he will bring them back to the promised land.  The bad figs represent Zedekiah and those like him who seek refuge in Egypt.  They do not choose to turn to God in difficult times.  They will be utterly destroyed.  What kind of fig are you?

LORD, forgive us for trusting in ourselves.  Teach us to turn back to you.

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mutual love

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1502Song of Solomon 5:10-6:3

Her love for him is not blind.  She knows who he is, what he is like, and where he is.  Her love for him is a choice, and it is the right choice.  She delights in him, and trusts him, even when she does not understand why he is not present.  They mutually love and respect each other.

LORD, teach us married couples to love, respect and trust each other.

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