Psalm 8:1 and various spiritual songs, like “I’ll Fly Away!”

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down, again, in Jeremiah 17. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in a verse that caught my attention yesterday:

Jeremiah 17:4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.

Our Father warned Judah they would lose their heritage: “And thou, even thyself, shall discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee” (Jeremiah 17:4).

They inherited God’s Law and the Land of Canaan. They inherited a wonderful history from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and Samuel, to the great king David. But they were about to lose all of it. Their sins had “kindled a fire in [God’s] anger, which shall burn for ever” (Jeremiah 17:4). Burn for ever? Like a hot iron reminds you of its heat when you move your hand near it, some memories burn every time they are touched.

Along the still waters, I thought about the heritage God has given to Americans —the extension of the promise of Christ, the Messiah —and the privilege we have to enter into that inheritance as strangers grafted in by the grace of GOD. We stand to lose it all.

In the valley, Jesus declared to me the disciples’ challenge: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The first time Jesus presented this challenge was when, upon Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus announced: “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:16-24). The only hope we have to secure our heritage is to heed Jesus’ call to discipleship, and return to His Church —the House of God, and the pillar and the ground of TRUTH! (1 Timothy 3:15).

The three grand declarations —“Jesus is the Christ,” “I will build my Church,” and “take up your cross” — are key to turning this nation (1 Peter 2:9) around and preserving our glorious heritage!

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace with earnest entreaty that I declare His message (Jeremiah 17:16). Selah!

Praying for revival! 🙏