Todays readings.. 1 Kings 4&5, Jeremiah 31, Mark 5

“FOR I WILL SATISFY EVERY WEARY SOUL” 

We have some inspiring readings today: first, we read of the tremendous organisational ability and efficiency of Solomon.  He began by organising the efficient running of his kingdom and then planned out all the detail of organising the construction of the Temple.

Then in Jeremiah we were inspired by the prophecy God reveal to him about the future of Israel – and we remember that at that time the nation was collapsing – and did utterly collapse in his lifetime.  Our world is, in a sense, collapsing – humanly speaking, it has no long term future. It has no future – humanly speaking?

In Mark ch. 5 we read of one of the most dramatic healings Jesus did; this healing had the side effect of the death of about 2,000 pigs!  But eating pork was forbidden under the Mosaic law (Lev. 11 v.7) and last month we read the blunt messages Isaiah had  to convey to the people on this. (65 v.4; 66 v.3)

But now back to Jeremiah ch. 31!  What a remarkable long term prophecy God gave him.  Jeremiah’s words challenge all nations! It is a challenge for today – to see the significance of events – from God’s perspective!  He responds to the plea, “ ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ “  [v.7] A significant word – “remnant.”   Jeremiah is caused to proclaim (v.10)  “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations … He who scattered Israel will gather him …” [v.10] “… from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth …” [v.8]  Are the “nations” ‘hearing’ the word of the LORD?

Those who read and “know” God’s word today have witnessed, to some degree, this regathering in their lifetime – but it  is far from complete, much of the land they possessed in the days of Solomon is still not under their control. In 1 Kings 4 v.21 we learn, “Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.” 

But what appeals to us most of all in our reading in Jeremiah today is the remarkable personal promise it contains. “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” [v.25]

And what does the next verse say – of Jeremiah’s feelings!? “At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”  And this verse is “pleasant” and pleasing to us.  All those who truly believe in God and seek to serve his Son, as their Saviour, find that today God “will satisfy the weary soul” – for they experience spiritual refreshing every day when they read and meditate on His word with all their hearts.