Living in the Spirit
June 25, 2020
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 28:5-9
Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord; and the prophet Jeremiah said, ‘Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. But listen now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.’
Listen to the prophets who speak of peace, for they are indeed sent by the Lord. Note that the questionable prophets from ancient times are the ones who prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. The Amos’s and the Hosea’s accosted their own people with bringing destruction on themselves. The Israelites failure to follow God’s ways did lead to their exile. False prophets divide and conquer; God’s prophets seek peace. False prophets only care about themselves; God’s people care about all God’s creation.
Watching the political antics of our day could be entertaining in a slap-stick sort of way if it were not so dangerous. Caught off guard, we are drawn to inertia in stopping the damage being done. Followers of God cannot let that happen. God can and will provide the light we need to find our way to God’s Shalom—wholeness and peace.
Prayer: Lord, grant us your peace that we may be peace in a chaotic world. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.