From the Edges – Why Things Didn’t Go Better

FROM the EDGES

Why Things Didn’t Go Better

Pastor Calvin Cook

Focus Jeremiah 29:24-32

There is this unspoken thought, sometimes spoken very loudly with the question, why didn’t things go better. I have asked that question a lot. It seems through life’s ups and downs, mountain tops and valleys, that the question of why didn’t things go better? Do we really want to know the answer to this question.

In the closing verses of Jeremiah 29 there is the negative false prophet Shemaiah protesting about Jeremiah and the words that Jeremiah delivered to the people from God. This caused a hard time for the people of Isarael as the message they heard was “make the best of what you have”. This is more than likely the message we need to hear today.

The false prophets of that day were offering only temporary correction inclusive of the promise of temporary comfort that would result in long range punishment. God’s plan for the people was a new covenant with them to replace brokenness moving from sinfulness and disobeying the direction of God to eventually repent and obey.

My thoughts in prayer centering this morning for all of us is seeking direction to move from temporary fixes that will only cause further harm. We no longer can put a band aid on a wound without the healing ointment that will heal from the inside out.

The false prophet Shemaiah was promoting band aid healing, Jeremiah listening to God was promoting healing from the inside out.

For me Philippians 4:8 reminds us what is and should be the focus and it will be this focus that promotes healing from the inside out.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”