“Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not pay attention to any of his words.” – Jeremiah 18:18b 

Scripture reading: Jeremiah 18:1-23

If we are to truly experience a blessed year of our LORD 2022, we must pay close attention to the Word of God. As Psalm 119:105 teaches, God’s Word is to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 

In our Scripture lesson today, we read of a people who lived in dead formalism and who were determined to follow their own plans and act according to the stubbornness of their own evil hearts (vs.12). The people who were called to live in covenant fellowship with the LORD spurned His covenant Word.

Jeremiah was called to bring a word of reproof and correction, but that Word of wise counsel was rejected. With their own words they would strike the Word-bearer sent by God (and in the future Christ). They had murderous intentions and later Jeremiah would experience being thrown alive into a deep pit on account of God’s Word. 

What will it be for us this year? Will we heed the whole counsel of God? Or, will we pick and choose according to our own liking? Each day, we who are a willful people by nature must turn to God’s Word to direct us according to His will.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Lord for a pliable heart. Ask for a heart that is united to fear God’s Name (Psalm 86:11b)

Rev. Peter Vellenga is presently serving as itinerant preacher waiting upon Lord for continued assignment.