Good Morning “Discerners of True Character.” Today we are in Jeremiah 41.
Gedaliah faithfully attempted to bring some order out of the chaos resulting from Jerusalem's fall (Jeremiah 40:9-10).
There was no doubt of the sincerity, loyalty, and wisdom of Gedaliah, but almost immediately, a plot was formed against his life. In his naïve trust, Gedaliah did not believe the reports. Johanan even offered to protect Gedaliah by secretly killing the intending murderer.
But the unsuspecting victim (Gedaliah) replied, “You shall not do this thing, for you speak falsely about Ishmael.”
Gedaliah did not doubt the loyalty of Ishmael, and no one would have believed the depth of his treachery.
Re-read Jeremiah 41:1-3 to see how wrong he was.
Ishmael was not a man to be trusted with the life of the governor, nor the Jews in his company or the Chaldeans who were attending to the governor. It doesn’t end there. Another slaughter ensues as well.
What’s it all mean to us? When it comes to people, we must be do our best to be discerning. Who we trust can be a sketchy thing. As Gods love overflows through us… it’s easy to lose a discerning eye. We want to believe the best in people. Regarding Love Paul says, “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
Trust and Hope is a choice we make, a part of loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37-38). How do we love, trust and Hope while also being discerning? Ha ha, that’s a great question! Who do we trust to watch our kids, who do we trust our kids to hang out with, who do we give access to them and to their hearts? What about ourselves? Who do we choose to allow an important spot in our lives, who do we yoke ourselves with (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
Everyone is good in the interview. People are pretty good pretenders… at least at first. How do they respond over time, under pressure, when tested? True character is flushed out in the worst of circumstances - not the best. Remember… apart from Jesus Christ, His redemption and The Holy Spirit in them… their heart is still desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). They are still governed only by selfishness… God is love (1 John 4:8), apart from God there is no true love. Tread lightly. Even those who know Jesus can still give way to their flesh. One thing is sure… we have an advantage that Gedaliah did not have - The Holy Spirit in us!
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:33
The best answer I have? Press into Him! Deny your flesh, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and thereby be sensitive to The Spirit.
Love you all! Dig in!
Gedaliah faithfully attempted to bring some order out of the chaos resulting from Jerusalem's fall (Jeremiah 40:9-10).
There was no doubt of the sincerity, loyalty, and wisdom of Gedaliah, but almost immediately, a plot was formed against his life. In his naïve trust, Gedaliah did not believe the reports. Johanan even offered to protect Gedaliah by secretly killing the intending murderer.
But the unsuspecting victim (Gedaliah) replied, “You shall not do this thing, for you speak falsely about Ishmael.”
Gedaliah did not doubt the loyalty of Ishmael, and no one would have believed the depth of his treachery.
Re-read Jeremiah 41:1-3 to see how wrong he was.
Ishmael was not a man to be trusted with the life of the governor, nor the Jews in his company or the Chaldeans who were attending to the governor. It doesn’t end there. Another slaughter ensues as well.
What’s it all mean to us? When it comes to people, we must be do our best to be discerning. Who we trust can be a sketchy thing. As Gods love overflows through us… it’s easy to lose a discerning eye. We want to believe the best in people. Regarding Love Paul says, “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
Trust and Hope is a choice we make, a part of loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37-38). How do we love, trust and Hope while also being discerning? Ha ha, that’s a great question! Who do we trust to watch our kids, who do we trust our kids to hang out with, who do we give access to them and to their hearts? What about ourselves? Who do we choose to allow an important spot in our lives, who do we yoke ourselves with (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
Everyone is good in the interview. People are pretty good pretenders… at least at first. How do they respond over time, under pressure, when tested? True character is flushed out in the worst of circumstances - not the best. Remember… apart from Jesus Christ, His redemption and The Holy Spirit in them… their heart is still desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). They are still governed only by selfishness… God is love (1 John 4:8), apart from God there is no true love. Tread lightly. Even those who know Jesus can still give way to their flesh. One thing is sure… we have an advantage that Gedaliah did not have - The Holy Spirit in us!
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:33
The best answer I have? Press into Him! Deny your flesh, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and thereby be sensitive to The Spirit.
Love you all! Dig in!
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