Extract The Precious

You know something? The more things change the more they stay the same. Haven't you found that to be true? I've been studying about Isaiah and Jeremiah and lo and behold it seems that Isreal in their day was much like the good ol' Red, White and Blue of 2013. Political, social, and religious issues of 8th and 7th Century B.C. Israel read like tonight's edition of the Knoxville News Sentinel. Crime, corruption, behavioral taboos, what constitutes right and wrong etc., etc. There was even a popular slogan that read "Hope and Change" LOL No one could make that up! (smile)

So anyway this is the climate that Jeremiah was called to prophesy against.Well, you know about Jeremiah's message. It wasn't exactly one of those encouraging peace and prosperity messages if you know what I mean. Without spending too much space, suffice it to say that there was a good reason that Jeremiah has come to be known as the "weeping prophet." His message was one of coming destruction. He was opposed, ridiculed and persecuted for the better part of 40 years. People didn't want to hear his message of repentance and even the"church" of his day vehemently opposed him and sought to take his life. So much for wanting to be a prophet! Amen??

Well, a couple of times along the way Jeremiah got discouraged and complained before the Lord.(can't say that I blame him) On one occasion Jeremiah finally got God a little riled at him. In truth God became angry and threatened to take Jeremiah's prophetic office from him.  Look at these verses.

 17 I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, Nor did I exult. Because of Your hand upon me I sat alone, For You filled me with indignation. 18 Why has my pain been perpetual And my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You indeed be to me like a deceptive stream With water that is unreliable?
Jer 15:17-18 (NASB)

If you read the whole passage you will see that this started out as a prayer and ended up a complaint and a confession of doubt in God's ability.

19 Therefore, thus says the Lord, " If you return, then I will restore you— Before Me you will stand; And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman.
Jer 15:19 (NASB)

This verse is what God spoke to my heart. "..if you extract the precious from the worthless,..."

Much(if not all!lol) of the information we get these days is worthless. Media is focused on ratings and agenda instead of truth. Even some of our pulpits seem to have lost the way. Christians are under barrage from all sides while false religions are catered to all in the name of tolerance. By the way, idolatry was the number one reason for God's judgment on Israel in Jeremiah's day. Go read it for yourself. It was actually the only reason if you want the truth. I digress.

Well, here you are in this menacing climate of today and God calls you to do something. And that "something" almost certainly invites opposition. Usually it starts with family doesn't it? Ronnie that's crazy stupid! You can't do that!! God didn't tell you to do that, it's something you conjured up in your head!!! Sound familiar? If it isn't in conflict with family then it will be with work. All of a sudden you are needed to work at that time that God wanted you to do His work. So now you are a religious nut to your bosses and co-workers. This can all get very discouraging. People will try and belittle what God has called you to do. As I was told not long ago. don't let anyone diminish or degrade what God has called you to do. That is what God told Jeremiah here when he was taken with discouragement and doubt. Extract what is precious.

That word extract means " to take out, esp.by effort or force". It seems to me that was what God was speaking to Jeremiah. Those days,like our own were challenging even evil. In the midst of all the opposition,ridicule and even downright lies it was going to be a struggle to stand against it. He had to somehow tune it all out and tune in to God. He had to rely on God for the strength to stand and the very words to speak. Amen? That is precisely where we as Christians stand today. A society that doesn't want to hear about the righteousness of God on the inside. A nation that snubs it's collective nose at God and His truth. False religions of every sort attacking our foundations on the outside. As God's Word says, we as children of the ONLY GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL must extract what is precious from His Word and His Presence if we are to walk uprightly in a world turned upside down. In today's world, just as in Jeremiah's any attempt on our part to do something for God is going to be met with resistance. It all comes from the enemy, no matter what form it takes. But God today as in Jeremiah's day has our back.

     20 "Then I will make you to this people A fortified wall of bronze; And though they fight against you, They will not prevail over you; For I am with you to save you And deliver you," declares the Lord. 21 "So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent."
Jer 15:20-21 (NASB)

Lord help me,us to rely wholly on You in these evil days which we live.Amen and Amen.

7 The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. 8 The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.
Psalms 121:7-8 (NASB)

God Bless