Today's Verse: Jeremiah 7:5-7

Monday, July 5, 2004

Blessed Christmas!

Our prayer is that the presence of Jesus be with you and fill you with hope, peace, and love!

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If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever.
— Jeremiah 7:5-7
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What is the most accurate measure of our character? It is not merely how we act "at church" or among other like-minded people. The real test of our character, our true godliness, is found in our partnership with our Father in heaven and his work to redeem the lost, forgotten, downtrodden, and broken - or quite literally in this verse, the "foreigner"* and "fatherless" and "widows" among us. When we live only for ourselves and leave the "have-nots" far behind in our practice of love, justice, and mercy, our culture collapses upon itself because it lacks the heart of God for the outcast and alone; in addition, culture breaks down because the people who are the "have-nots" can become jealous and resentful of those who have and the “haves” can feel superior to those who do not have! The real test of our character is how we love people around us who are in need.

* The NIV 11, rather than our usual NIV 1984, is used for this passage because of the translation of the literal term "resident alien" as "foreigner" by the NIV 11 is deemed closer to our modern usage of these terms.

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Loving God, the Almighty and Sovereign Lord, please forgive us and use your children who live by your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice to heal our land. Father, I especially pray that you will use me to be a blessing to someone in need with no one to turn to in their times of crisis. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

If, If, If ...
Illustration of Jeremiah 7:5-7
Inspirational illustration of Jeremiah 7:5-7 -- 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do n
Caring for the Vulnerable
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
We are Jesus' heart, hands, and feet. Let's remind each other that we should bless the broken, forgotten, left out, and needy. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins lead us into worship through songs, Communion, and the Word God, inviting us to experience, proclaim and rejoice in the love of God for all people and to be stirred to share that love with others.

Illustration

Illustration of Jeremiah 7:5-7 — If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, July 5, 2004

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Clothed with Christ' (Co. 3:12-14)
"Dear Father, Grant that we may clothe ourselves with Christ, for he is a garment of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience,..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Giving God's Blessing after Welcomed Ashore'
"[After their shipwreck, Paul and all his fellow travelers made it safely to shore as Paul had promised.] Near the shore where we landed was an estate..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Make the Most of Every Earthly Opportunity'
"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 27:1
"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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