November 6, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me— for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’ declares the Lord. ‘So you will be My people, and I will be your God.’”

(Jeremiah 30.21-22)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Just wonder if we took the question mark out and put it at the end of the sentence in verses 21 and 22, then it would say to us “For who is he that will devote himself to be close to me so you will be My people and I will be your God?” Sometimes the perspective from which we see life, including our own life, comes in our purpose. If we focus on our purpose, then the world around us comes into a different frame of reference.

If our purpose is to be true to self above all others, then the world is the resource which is used to meet our need. Our stewardship and management of the world is to support us above all else. That resource-oriented mindset would then include the human resource as well. The expectation would be that people exist to serve our needs, wants and desires. The problem with that kind of thinking is everyone else either has it like us or they are willing to devoid themselves of such a desire and be fully committed to our purpose and meaning. If they devoid themselves of their own meaning and purpose an buy into the proposal that they are to lose touch with themselves and exist only for us, then the one to whom they are devoted would have to express a benevolence and care for them. How could they do that when everything is thought to be their own resource for their own survival. People become collateral. What’s worse is that such an existence of the human resource may not be volunteered but “volun-told.” As you can see, such a perspective of “me-ism” on the part of one because defeat on the part of the whole.

And what of those who will not share in service to the other “one” but they themselves are competing to be the other “one”? If everyone, or if even the 20% in the 80/20 paradigm of eighty percent of the resource is controlled by twenty percent of the people, then what becomes of the entire community and the whole of the earth? The experience of aggression takes over and competition runs violently rampant. The battles exists between who will be the “one.” Even agreements would be negotiated, as if they could, so that they would co-exist and consume the earth together. It is a mind-boggling proposition. It is, however, what the world seems to prefer. We are seeing the fruit of such thinking and labor expanding exponentially today. The war of attrition is at hand and the damage upon the earth and the people who live on it is nearing a point of no return. There is not enough to support the proposal. There will always be a conflict as to who is served by whom. Jesus said, “There will be wars and rumors of wars which serve as the birth pangs of the end.” (Matthew 24.5,8)

So, what is the proper perspective of purpose and meaning that is best for all people? It has to begin with an understanding of authentic mutuality. That concept of singularity I used in previous reflections is critical here. The focus on oneness shared by all people and by God would be that perspective of meaning and purpose. The visualization and realization of that singularity comes for us as mighty ones of God in the messianic promise. God declares it in the verses for today as “You will be My people and I will be your God.” Such a statement is not the fulfillment of everyone surrendering their own meaning, purpose and free existence to help sustain God and the “other one.” It is the realization of the shared purpose of mutuality and community. The example comes through the one who is leader. His purpose is to draw near to God and to lead others to doing the same. Nothing can deter nor prevent him from completing his purpose and actualize his meaning. Such leadership might best be described as a “both/and.”

The messiah is that “one” leader. We know His name as Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God. He recognizes the right relationship which must exist between “father and son.” That relationship is intended to exist and be practiced by all the people following His example. He serves the people and God with equal fervor and intentionality. The people serve God and the people in the same way. In truth, they see the Messiah as both God and person. The difference is that the Messiah is both God and person but in perfection. He is what we are meant to be. He is that as we should be not because of what He has done but because of who He is in the divine relationship. He shows us “the way, the truth and the life” which leads the people to fulfillment of both their lives and God’s purpose for all life. God commits Himself to it by sending His own Son and thus sacrificing the best part of Himself for His people. His Son, in return, sacrifices Himself for the good of the people and the glory of God. This is what it means to be “God’s people.” It means that we live out the truth that God, Yahweh Elohim, is our God. It is a fact which Jesus Himself declares in word and deed beginning with His prayer and worship life saying to God, “Abba, Father.” Because of Him, so then can we also.

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.