I would likely lose count of the times per day that Satan whispers in my ear with a serpent tongue… “God does not care.” That is why, when I run across a verse like that of Jeremiah 23:23 it’s such a special time.
“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?”
There has been much talk about the future lately in the media. And the future is certainly a concern of mine more often than not in the day to day scope of life. I like certainty. Tangible things that I can wrap my hand around and say “This is in my control.” Things like home, health, money, etc. But in truth, none of that will ever be fully in my control. I am at the discretion of God as to whether or not I have any of it.
When Jeremiah the prophet wrote these words, his life was far from “in control.” His country wanted him dead because he did not bear good news. Kind of like Fox News prior to the November election. Although I don’t think I would put them in the category of Jeremiah. Fox is not prophetic, they didn’t guess Donald Trump either. But to put this scripture into play in my own life, and possibly yours, is to give a certainty to us both that God is in control of tomorrow. I have things on my plate now that I would like to hear God say… “Tomorrow is going to be okay.” But what I hear is is the words of Jeremiah that says, near or far, God is with me. He’s had my past, He has my future and He has my tomorrow in control. There’s great peace in that.
John 16:33 says:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
In the days of Jeremiah was the days of the Law. And Israel was far from keeping it. They had turned their back on God time and time again and Jeremiah was prophesying of their soon to be captivity. But then comes that period between Malachi and the last chapters of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, when grace entered the picture. Christ had paid the price on the cross and grace replaced the un-keep-able law. No longer would man’s works grant entrance to Heaven or peace on earth, but by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
God had the plan in place when He created the Heavens and the earth. He knew we’d fail, and He knew of Satan’s futile attempts to get God’s children in his control. That’s why he still whispers “God doesn’t care” in my ear. Because for a second he can have me believing it. Until I read the Word of God and a scripture like Jeremiah 23:23 jumps off the page as if to say “Shut Up Satan.” God has my world in control, even when I feel like it’s spinning out of control.
That’s so good to know. God’s word is so precious… don’t neglect it.