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Topic:Who Knows?
“For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and in my name they have uttered lies — which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:23
The closing words of the chapter are specific prophecies against certain false prophets among the exiles in Babylon. This was a time of terrible uncertainty. People were torn — “What shall I believe?” There were many conflicting voices, many rival factions. The supreme need of the hour was that someone might know the facts and declare them, and thus give the people an indication of what to do. God says, “I am the one who knows. I know what is going on in the inner lives of these people, and I will make it known, I will bring it out.” That is the voice you can trust.
God makes known his way and his will and the truth in three ways in the Scriptures. First, in past history. I would commend to you the reading of history. History records all the errors that we see around us today. The solutions are also recorded. No new error is introduced into the world which has not already been answered.
Second, in current events. He is always bringing truth to life. That is why we as a nation go through difficulties. We have seen many times how everything that the most powerful men of our nation think they can keep hidden is forced into the light. That is the way God works in the affairs of men.
And third, God makes the truth known through the direct revelation of his word, the truth as it is in Jesus, coming to the man of God who speaks it out before the people.
So in this day of confusion, of uncertainty, which voice will you listen to? The voices of the occult world around us? The false prophets who are telling visions which they claim to be coming from the voice of God? The secular voices which tell us that things are not the way the Bible says they are? Which voice will you listen to? Whom will you follow? What will be the guideline for your actions? The message of Jeremiah is: “God rules in the affairs of men. And if you want to know how to behave now, listen to God, for he is the one who knows, and who makes known.”
Father, thank you that you are the One before whom I stand naked, with nothing hidden, and that you are the one who exposes and brings to light. I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart may be acceptable in your sight.
Life Application
What are three resources which will serve to reveal to us God’s way, his will and the truth? Is his criteria informing our minds and responses? Are we personally inviting his penetrating scrutiny?
