[:en]SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 17
“This is what the lord says: ‘Curse is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a sal land where no one lives” (Jeremiah 17:5-6)
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in the year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9)
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve” (Jeremiah 17:10)
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14)
“Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers” (Jeremiah 17:22)
CONSEQUENCES OF JUDAH’S SIN:
- Their wealth and treasures will be given away as plunder (v. 3)
- Their inheritance will be lost (v. 4a)
- Their enemies will enslave them (v. 4b)
Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. (v. 1) When we sin it is written on our hearts. Only God can erase it when we repent and trust Him.
One who trusts in man and depends on flesh for his strength will never prosper. But he who trust in the Lord will be protected and can bear fruits to glorify God.
Those who gain riches by unjust means will prove to be a fool when his life is half gone (v. 11) Those who are sick should seek the Lord fo heal them (v. 14). Those who forsake the Lord will be put to shame.
KEEPING THE SABBATH HOLY (vs. 19-27)
The Lord commanded us to keep the Sabbath day holy. Those who obey will experience God’s blessings, but those who disobey, God will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses”
[:]