Jeremiah 13 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Jeremiah 13.

Meditate on and memorize verse 15.

Listen and give heed, do not be haughty,

 for the LORD has spoken.

God told Jeremiah to create an interesting sermon illustration.  Jeremiah took a waistband, put it around his waist, went to the Euphrates River, and hid it in a rock crevice.  After many days, he returned to the Euphrates and dug out the waistband, which was totally ruined (Jeremiah 13:4-7).

The waistband was a picture of Judah’s pride.  Like a waistband clings to the waist, the people clung to their foolish pride instead of trusting in and clinging to God.  The people refused to listen to God; they walked in the stubbornness of their hearts and served other gods.  In their wickedness, God declared them totally worthless just like the worthless waistband.  If they had listened to God and clung to Him, they could have been a people of renown, praise, and glory (Jeremiah 13:10-11). 

Jeremiah begged the people to listen the LORD and not cling to their pride.  He ended up weeping bitterly because the people chose haughtiness instead of obedience (Jeremiah 13:15-17).  They were taken captive by the Babylonians and marched from Jerusalem to Babylon.  Their route took them beside the Euphrates River where Jeremiah had buried a waistband and come up with, what at the time had seemed to be, a ridiculous sermon illustration.  “Oh, if we had only listened and heeded the Word of the LORD before it was too late!”   

God’s Word is timeless truth.  He has carefully preserved it, so you do not repeat mistakes from the past.  Hear and heed the Word of the LORD!  To what do you cling?  Do you believe the lie of Satan that you can be a self-made person?  In haughtiness, have you stopped listening the LORD? 

Pray Jeremiah 13:11 and 15-16 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, as the waistband clings to the waist of a man,

__________ and I want to cling to You. 

We want to be Your people for Your renown, praise, and glory. 

Help us listen to You!  We want to listen, give heed, and not be haughty. 

We give glory to You, God! 

Do not let our feet stumble.

In Your name, Jesus~”