Contrary to what you may have told your kids, monsters are real. They’re big and scary with sharp teeth ready to crush and devour you.

Sometimes I think I am more aware of my sin than God is. I can easily dredge up old memories of past failures and willful offenses. I am conscious of my imperfections but apparently God is less so. He cannot even remember the sins He forgives…

“I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more,” (Jeremiah 31.34 NAS).

“In those days and at that time” — God’s Decree — “they’ll look high and low for a sign of Israel’s guilt — nothing; Search nook and cranny for a trace of Judah’s sin — nothing. These people that I’ve saved will start out with a clean slate,” (Jeremiah 50.20 The Message).

Hazor was an easy target as described in Jeremiah 49.30-31. It was considered a “wealthy [Bedouin] nation that dwells securely.” Hazor’s villages of tents had “neither gates nor bars” and inhabitants kept to themselves, living “alone” in the desert areas of upper Canaan. Hazor was easy pickings for the mighty Babylonian army for three critical reasons... complacency, defenselessness, and isolation. 

This podcast is an overview of week 45 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: Jeremiah 49 – 52; Lamentations 1 – 5; James 4 – 5; 1st Peter 1 – 3.

Occasionally, “the Lord’s work” may require that I disagree with a friend, give unwelcome advice, or discipline a child. If harmony is the highest goal, then I diminish “the Lord’s work” in the name of peace. Resolution is always the goal, so I must be loving, tactful, and gracious, while remaining resolved to face critical issues at any cost. Nothing good comes from hiding my head in the sand. I must use finesse, but still make the point.

“Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently, and cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood,” (Jeremiah 48.10 NAS). 

“The Lord’s work” may sometimes require a little conflict. I must be ready to engage in the battle or accept the cursed consequence of conducting His work “negligently.”  

The literal rendition of the term “hands will hang limp” in Jeremiah 47.3 is “sinking of hands.” It is a Hebrew idiom, a figure of speech meaning “helpless terror.” “Fathers will not turn to help their children.” They are unable to perform with limp hands and a timid spirit. A child needs a father’s strong hands of love, support, and discipline. A fearful man, with “sinking hands” is no good to his family or himself. He must be bold and take strong action when strong action is required.

Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? According to Ed Weller of Software Technology Transition, “While the grass may be greener, often it’s AstroTurf ®, and all you get is rug burn.” Like many business consultants, Mr. Weller believes that searching for greener pastures is a waste of energy. “You just need to learn how to… create an environment that will harbor your ideas” and thus make your own brown grass a little greener.

This advice on the 'Greener Grass Syndrome' reminds me of Jeremiah 42.13-14 in The Message version of the Bible: 

“But do not say, ‘We’re not staying around this place,’ refusing to obey the command of your God and saying instead, ‘No! We’re off to Egypt, where things are peaceful — no wars, no attacking armies, plenty of food. We’re going to live there.’”

While you and I are at our cushy jobs, Carlos Barrios is at work performing what is arguably the worst occupation on earth. He’ll be submerged in a disgusting brew of garbage, toxic waste, bacteria, human excrement, dead animals, and even the occasional rotting corpse of a forgotten murder victim. Carlos is a Sewer Diver in one of the world’s largest and most polluted metropolises… Mexico City. His job is to clear blockages in sewer lines to ensure contaminated waters do not back up into city streets, subway tunnels, or people’s homes. Carlos is an expert at his job. He even likes what he does.

“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that the Babylonians [your oppressive problems] are gone for good. They aren’t!” (Jeremiah 37.9-10 NLT). 

When a problem gets out of hand, it may be time to send in heaven’s Sewer Diver. There’s an obstruction and it needs removing. Jesus is an expert at that and He likes His job.

For actual film footage of Carlos Barrios at work in the bowels of Mexico City check out this nearly un-watchable video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlRjbV-rT-E.

Jeremiah 32.36, 41 ESV

This podcast is an overview of week 44 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: Jeremiah 32 – 48; Hebrews 12 – 13; James 1 - 3.