Pastor Bob DuPar
October 7, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 8:8-9:26; Colossians 3:1-17; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 24:27

Observation

Jeremiah 8:10-11 is repeated from earlier (6:13-14). God is obviously concerned about how the leaders take care of His people,

“…Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious.”

“Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush…” Jeremiah 8:12a

“…They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.” Jeremiah 9:5b

“This is what the Lord says, ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

“…For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.” Jeremiah 9:26b

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
“In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of His wonders, they did not believe. So, He ended their days in futility and their years in terror.”
Psalm 78:32-33

Application

We know that we’ve sunk to the depths of spiritual depravity when we ceased to feel shame over our sin; when it doesn’t even cause us to blush. I don’t want to ever reach a point of callousness where I am insensitive to the conviction of God’s Spirit.

What a waste of energy when we “weary ourselves” sinning!

True circumcision in God’s eyes (“a setting apart”) is not an external act but an internal transformation. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

How often I forget that Christ “is my life.” (Colossians 3:4) Too often I live like I can find life apart from Him; and this leads to “futility” as Psalm 78:33 mentioned.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to set my heart and mind on the ‘things above’ not on ‘earthly things.’ I ‘have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy.” (1 Peter 4:3)