Old Testament | Jeremiah 15:15-21 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Restore Us Again by Paul Zach

Lyrics:
We longed for Egypt in the wilderness
A kingdom made of dust
Built an idol out of happiness
A paradise of rust

We lost all the meaning
Drowned out the feeling
Our hearts barely beating

Restore us again God of our salvation
Revive us again in Your unfailing love
Restore us again God of our salvation
Revive us again in Your unfailing love

We have trusted in the meaningless
And chased a life of ease
Now we wander in the shadow lands
Where comfort is our king

Holy Spirit bring us life once again
Holy Spirit lead our hearts back to You
Holy Spirit bring us life once again
Holy Spirit lead our hearts back to You

Passage:
15 O LORD, you know;
remember me and visit me,
and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance take me not away;
know that for your sake I bear reproach.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O LORD, God of hosts.
17 I did not sit in the company of revelers,
nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone, because your hand was upon me,
for you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unceasing,
my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Will you be to me like a deceitful brook,
like waters that fail?

19 Therefore thus says the LORD:
“If you return, I will restore you,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall be as my mouth.
They shall turn to you,
but you shall not turn to them.
20 And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
declares the LORD.
21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
(Jeremiah 15:15–21 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss

Reflection Notes:
A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spaffor after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God’s goodness. Spafford’s immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford’s children had died.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer