From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jun 22, 2023 at 5:43 AM

Subject: 6-22-23 THOUGHTS

6-22-23   THOUGHTS

God sets up an object lesson in Jer 35:2 "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak to them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink."  It wasn’t going to happen!  These were men who had made a vow to their father and they intended to keep it!  They had always kept it!  Verse 16 is summary.  The lesson for us is singular, focused and powerful.  

Jer 35:12-19   Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 13  "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, "Will you not receive instruction by listening to My words?" declares the LORD.  14  "The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are observed. So they do not drink wine to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again; yet you have not listened to Me. 15  "Also I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, sending them again and again, saying: ‘Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to worship them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers; but you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me. 16  ‘Indeed, the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have observed the command of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to Me.’"’ 17  "Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am bringing on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them; because I spoke to them but they did not listen, and I have called them but they did not answer.’" 18  Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commands and done according to all that he commanded you; 19  therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always."’"

My Prayer:
Father, may our lives reflect our faith.  May our hearts ever be pure and devoted to You.  We pray for an aliveness that drives us to joyfully wait on You, as we love and serve a needy world.  Teach us to be overwhelmed by the power of the cross and the resurrection, that we will rejoice as we boldly share the good news of the One who has saved us.   Please help us to make this happen in our lives.  May we truly trust and obey, O God.      In the name of Jesus,     Amen.