ZEDEKIAH'S FEARS

“And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me” (Jer. 38:19 KJV).

The instruction from God to Zedekiah king of Judah, was that he surrender to the Chaldeans. Zedekiah did not want to obey God’s instruction and our verse tells of his response. Thus we want to what he feared and what he did not fear.

What he feared – “I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.” Zedekiah was afraid of men and of mocking. He feared being harmed by the Israelites who had gone over to the Chaldeans. And he especially feared mocking. Zedekiah was so concerned about his pride that he feared somebody would make fun of him for obeying God. Many Christians today are no different. They cower before mocking and do not obey God lest they be laughed at. We will never obey God if we are afraid of being mocked. It is helpful to remember that the Lord Jesus Christ experienced much mocking and scorning in order to provide salvation for us. We must not cower our testimony for Christ for fear someone may laugh at us.

What he did not fear - Zedekiah did not fear disobeying God. He did not fear the judgment of God. He was warned by Jeremiah that not surrendering to the Chaldeans would bring judgment. Yet, he did not fear that part of the message; he was more afraid of what men could do to him and that they might mock him. Zedekiah is not alone is this lack of fear. Few folks today fear God. They do not fear His judgment for their sins, but instead fear what people will think of them. What do you fear today? Are you afraid of men and of mocking or do you fear the Almighty? If you are going to fear someone - make sure you fear God and His judgment more than man and his mocking.

(Adapted from Butler's Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The way to take the fear out of living is to put faith in the Lord!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Doers

In Jam. 1:22 we read, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (NKJV).

Doers is the Greek word poiētēs (ποιητής = poy-ay-tace'). It describes one who does something as his occupation such as a producer, a poet or an author. We get our English word poet from this word. In classical Greek poiētēs refers to one who does something, a maker or workman. Compounded with other nouns it is used to designate various occupations like painter or lawgiver, and readily passes into the meaning of poet, composer of music, or author. In the Septuagint poiētēs refers to a doer of the Law. In the New Testament, poiētēs is used once for poet in Acts 17:28, and to a doer of the law in other passages. James is telling us that we need to put forth our fullest efforts and most creative abilities in doing what we have heard preached! We cannot passively hope that the Word becomes a part of our lives; we have to get creative and find ways to make the Word a practical part of our lives.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon Him (Isa. 61:1)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 3:16-17

Did You Know…

In the Bible it states that the fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:11).

Bible Quiz

Who ran for his life from a woman and then told God he had had enough and wanted to die?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: During His temptation in the wilderness, which Old Testament Book did the Lord Jesus quote to rebuke Satan? Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:13; 6:16 (cf. Luke 4:1-12).

Names of the Lord Jesus Found in the Bible

“Resurrection and the Life”

"Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live!” (John 11:25 NKJV).

1. Meaning – The Lord Jesus is life.

2. Insights – Christ is life itself. Death could not hold Him, nor can it hold any who are in Him.

3. Related Titles – Living One (Rev. 1:18).

Did You Know – Christian History

Helen Roseveare was born September 21, 1925 in Haileybury College, Hertfordshire, England. She was an English Christian missionary, doctor and author, who worked with Worldwide Evangelization Crusade in the Congo from 1953 to 1973. Roseveare practiced medicine and also trained others in medical work.

Raised in a high Anglican church, Roseveare resolved to become a missionary after being told about India by her Sunday school teacher.

Roseveare became a Christian as a medical student at Newnham College, Cambridge in 1945. She was involved with the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, attending prayer meetings, Bible study classes and evangelical events. However, in spite of her Christian heritage, and faithful church attendance, Roseveare still sensed a void in her life and distance from God.

After completing her studies, Roseveare applied to WEC to be a medical missionary. In 1953, Roseveare was sent to the Congo, where she was assigned to the north-east provinces. Roseveare built a combination hospital / training center in Ibambi in the early 1950s, then relocated to Nebobongo, living in an old leprosy camp, where she built another hospital. After a conflict with other staff at the hospital, Roseveare returned to England in 1958 for a furlough, during which time she received further medical training.

Roseveare returned to the Congo in 1960. She was well aware of the danger as many mission women had been raped by the marauding rebel armies. Roseveare stayed on, believing her mission’s motto, “If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him.” In 1964 she was taken prisoner by rebel forces and was a prisoner for five months, enduring beatings and rapes. She left the Congo and headed back to England after her release but returned to the Congo in 1966 to assist in the rebuilding of the nation. Roseveare helped establish a new medical school and hospital, as the other hospitals she built had been destroyed. She served there until she left in 1973.

After her return from Africa, Roseveare had a worldwide ministry speaking and writing. She was a plenary speaker at the Urbana Missions Convention three times. Her life of service is portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. Her touching story about the prayer of Ruth, a 10-year-old African girl, for a hot water bottle to save a premature newborn baby after its mother had died has been an inspiration to many.

Although raped and humiliated by the rebels, Roseveare found that God gave her an even deeper love for the Congo people. She had learned through her painful experience that participation in Christ’s suffering is necessary for each of us if we are to fulfill His will in this world. Roseveare died December 7, 2016 at age 91 in Northern Ireland.

A Little Humor

My Mother taught me how to meet a challenge – “What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don’t talk back to me!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“A man who walks with God always gets to his destination”