Today's Verse: Jeremiah 7:5-7

Monday, July 5, 2004

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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.

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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

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Trust God: He Knows What He’s Doing'
"The Lord says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 29:25
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Always with a Clear Conscience' (Acts 22:29-23:1)
"The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'I Know All the Things You Do' (Re. 3:1-2)
"[In his revelation to John, Jesus said,] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit...."

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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