WATCHWORD:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. Jeremiah 29:11-12
Meditation:
Memory Verse – 1/4
What have you committed to memory during your lifetime? When we were children it probably was the alphabet, then it was counting, then maybe it was multiplication tables, then we probably got into more complicated matters: Spelling, especially complicated words. Maybe science formulas, and on and on it went, one new thing, committed to our memory, after another.
How about Bible verses? Were they part of your memory discipline? For me, I always despaired of trying to commit to memory Bible verses. It seems my mind was already cluttered with any number of things, or I simply couldn’t sit still long enough to take it all in and have it stick in memory.
I have learned over the years that if we can attach a Bible passage to a specific reason or action that is taking place it helps me in recalling. Jeremiah 29 contains a precious promise held dear by Christians the world over. Kevin Gardner, in Table Talk, says “It is also likely one of the most misapplied verses in all of Scripture. In this verse, Jeremiah affirms that God is in control, and moreover, He has good things in store (for those who love him).”
However, the context in which this promise was given indicates that it is not meant as a blanket promise of worldly blessings. The Israelites were in exile in Babylon, being punished for their idolatry and evildoing. This promise had an ‘if’ in front of it…if you will turn from your evil ways… Note verse 12.
So many of us have committed special verses to memory and applied them to your life maybe without understanding the full implications that each Word of God carries with it. If we prize a passage so dearly, it probably would be helpful to our understanding and application to dig into the context, or the conditions, you know, the “If’s” of the passage, which are implied..
Treasure your favorite Bible passages. Seek the special meaning and message it has for you. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
(This is the first of four meditations on favorite scripture verses. For future reference, submit your favorite verse or verses to be incorporated in future Watchwords. Stan
Closing Prayer:
God, you know me better than I know myself. You know my fears and my desires. You know how much I want things. You know how much I will be upset if things don’t go my way. I know you love me. I know you have a plan for me. Please, Lord, don’t let my desires blind me to your will. If this is not within your plan for me, throw up a Brick Wall. Give me an obstacle I cannot get past. Help me follow your will, Father. Give me peace about whatever is to come. Thank you for loving me. Amen.
