VERSE FOR TODAY: When the priest Pashur son of Immer, the chief officer in the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah saying these things, he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten, and put in the stocks (Jeremiah 20:12, new International Version).
HYMN FOR TODAY: "I Would Be True"
Sometimes strange things happen in "holy" places! Hilkiah found "the book of the Law in the house of the Lord." Isaiah saw the Lord "high and lifted up" on the temple. Joab found death at horns of the altar. Jeremiah found persecution and suffering at the temple gate, and at the hands of its chief officer. Blessing or curse?
People are more human than anybody! They can rise to the height or sink to the depths. Pashur's story show us that it is possible to pervert the highest office. In the eyes of the people, a servant of the Lord, working in a place dedicated to the worship of the Lord, he somehow failed. He failed his office, he failed his people, and he failed God.
We have seen those who have suffered unjustly, or have endured pain, yet have come out of the experience with faith in God strengthened, and witness strong. Jeremiah story tells us that neither great injustice nor suffering can destroy the soul truly filled with the Spirit of God.
There are some people who attend church" but are unaffected by the worship experience. But others find God and a Savior there.
PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord God, help us to remember that our destiny is not determined by places and things we encounter on life's journey, but only by our faith and obedience to Jesus, who died for us. In His name, we pray Amen.
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