October 27, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in My name. I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.‘“

(Jeremiah 29.4-9)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

It bears verse, which point us to the Ten Commandments. In verse 9, we hear the mention of “God’s name.” Within the Ten Commandments, we read “You should not take the Lord’s name in vain.” (Exodus 20.7) Of course, the serious student of God’s word knows that what God addresses is not so easy as “Thou shalt not cuss!” There is clearly no approval of using God’s name profanely, but the admonition is stronger than that. It speaks directly to the heart of the believer as to his or her identity. We cannot have life without God’s consideration nor inspiration. We do not exist in this world by accident. Regardless of our parentage, nor the reason why or how we were conceived, our identity is the product of God’s plan for life to be brought into the world. Sadly, many circumstances out of which such conception exists are not bound in love of God or love for another. This certain creates problems with profound consequences. If only we thought more deeply about the creative design by which we have been created and for which we have been created, then things might be different in this world. That is not to say there wouldn’t be problems but that there would not be many of the problems the world faces today. All of that to say this: our life speaks of God’s existence, meaning and purpose. We may not understand or know what our purpose in this world is, but it does exist. Not only does our purpose exist but it is for the greater good and for the glory of God. It is difficult to deny our existence. The meaning of our lives, from the faith perspective, is clear: true love. It is within our purpose that we find our true expression of God’s love which is that true love. What we say and do reflects the opportunity to make know that true love whose origin is in the nature and character of God Himself. Let those in the world who dare to care to deny the existence of God say what they will. What the mighty ones of God know is that without God there is no true love. This is what the enemy of God and humanity wants us to believe and that would be the consequence of it. To capture Paul’s words at this point for reference: “If I have not [true] love, then I am nothing but a clanging cymbal or a noisy gong.” (1 Corinthians 13.1)

Interesting that Paul uses two types of percussion instruments to describe the person, more importantly- the believer, who is not aware and engaged with true love. As I read it, our lives are intended to make an impact in the world and on it. We are to be God’s influencers on earth. Our very existence is intended to help mold, shape and transform life into the very recovery of the original design. Why should we do that? Isn’t it to maximize the fruitful purpose of each part of creation as shepherds and stewards of that very creation of which we are a part? If everything works together for good, then the potential for authentic living becomes a glorious goal and objective. I am not even sure we can truly imagine what that world looks like. Instead of influencing, acting with the reality of true love in us and through us, if we do not have such love then we are just crashing, banging, running over, knocking down, exploding and destroying things with no real purpose in mind at all. We are like that kid who got a drum set as a Christmas or birthday present and no instruction. Before long, the drum set goes in the basement, garage or as far away as possible because it is just noise concussing our eardrums relentlessly. Our mind wants to make sense of the sounds and to believe there is rhythm, purpose and joy in them. However, if the drummer does not truly “love” the drums, then they are a weapon of mass destruction! Even drums are created for a purpose that is meant for good. Drums used without any purpose but to be beaten until they wear out are a nuisance.

That is kind of what God is saying to us, I believe. Our creation is a product of God’s name which is love. We bear the stamp of approval and origin in the way a manufactured product does for the company who produced it. The choice is to use that product for the intent and purpose it was created or not. Perhaps some products have a variety of uses and can be multi-purposed. Regardless, there is a purpose for which it was designed best to do. That purpose reflects the one who created it. The proper use of it not only maximizes its effectiveness to achieve that purpose but it brings awareness to the creator. Such awareness in this world may bring more business and profit. When we speak of human life, it may do the same. However, its maximized value and worth comes when it honors the name of the Creator and brings glory and honor to that name. This is the real application of the third command which God gave Moses to give to the exiles out of Egypt to take with them into the Promised Land. The same would be true for those Jerusalem exiles in Babylon. And for anyone to misrepresent God, God’s message, God’s mission and purpose was worse than a lie. Instead, it is an abomination far worse than a clanging cymbal or a banging gong.

What are we going to be in today’s world, mighty ones of God. Are we the presenters of lies and false identities with mixed and cross purposes serving only our own needs or the frustration of not getting what we want? Or shall we be those whose identity is plain to see by the Name of God which is upon us and within us? Shall we be the presenters of the “purpose of the Cross” and in love seek the transform and magnify what is good, right, holy and blessed? This is what God has intended to send into the world with us, by us and through us.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.