JEREMIAH 23
I had just finished preaching and was standing at the door of the church shaking hands with the people, giving and receiving pleasantries. The tired old man on walking sticks shuffled towards me with his tears in his eyes. “I believe today is my new day”. He told me his story how many years ago as a policeman he had committed a crime and went to prison. On release from prison he had become a businessman but had embezzled the money and went back inside. A womaniser, a sinner and a Christian throughout all this. Today, because of Jesus, he could begin again. With tears in my own eyes I agreed with him that he could.
I believe when I stand before Jesus I will be standing with this old man. But also with the prostitute who from an early age never knew any other way; the vicar who through burn-out and loneliness sold his integrity; I could make a list of all the people who never really made it in this life who not only did not look good but who also knew they were not good, I will be standing with them.
I am confident because of Jehovah Tsidkenu: The Lord Our Righteousness.
1. No man can do this …. (the shepherds and prophets of this chapter)
2. He enters a broken family line and makes it right …. (of David’s line, v5)
3. He is able to fulfil the Creation mandate: to rule and take dominion, as a King, v5.
4. It is Him who is wise, v5.
5. It is Him who does what is just, v5.
6. It is Him who does what is right, v5.
7. I cannot save myself, v6.
8. I cannot create the peace I need, v6.
9. I cannot find the way out of my own Egypt or exile, v7-8.
10. What makes me right is all of Him and nothing of me.
The Lord Our Righteousness
Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death are part of my journey, but the vehicle and the destination is Jesus!
Missions Paul 