[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2021]
‘I will punish you as your deeds deserve’, declares the Lord. ‘I will kindle a fire in your forests that will consume everything around you’. [Jeremiah 21 v14 NIVUK]
As we see the images of forest fires around the world we can marvel the Bible seems to have a word for every situation. Just a few verses earlier in the same passage Jeremiah warns that people will die of a terrible plague. We might wonder whether the prophet had a particular insight into our own times although it should come as no surprise that the God who defined (and defies) time should be able to inspire those who transcribe his word.
At the time of writing the Dixie fire in northern California has been burning for over a month; it has consumed over 840 square miles (an area larger than Surrey) and has destroyed several small towns including Greenville. It was interesting that among the few surviving structures in that town were two church notice boards – one with a text inviting people to turn to God and the other announcing a Bible study on Sunday afternoons. It remains to be seen whether those messages will be taken more seriously once the town is rebuilt.
Even when taken out of its original context this verse from Jeremiah still carries a message. It states that the fire is a punishment. Can we imply that the residents of Greenville were any worse sinners than other people? Of course not. Apocalyptic as the Dixie fire may seem it is just one of many burning worldwide. Is the whole world full of sinners? The Bible has an answer to that question:
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. [Ecclesiastes 7 v20 NIVUK]
The prophet Malachi seems to add to the futility:
‘Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
[Malachi 4 v1-2 NIVUK]
This passage is not without hope. Despite mankind’s efforts to save the planet we know that, at the appropriate time, heaven and earth will be replaced. Throughout history, and still today, the journey to a new home can be difficult and discouraging but those who revere the Lord, those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their saviour will not only survive but prosper.
Are you up for the trip of a lifetime?
.
Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.
Bible dates:
Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.
Horley Baptist Church onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Return to Tuesday Challenge
Jump to Index of Bible Passages
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
Thank you Steve.
In the midst of all the negative news reports and frightening media images, it’s encouraging to be reminded that Father has a plan which man cannot thwart.
God bless you.