Old Testament | Jeremiah 20:7-13 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts) by Jennie Lee Riddle, Josh Miller, Josiah Warneking, and Shane Barnard

Lyrics:
O come behold the works of God
The nations at His feet
He breaks the bow and bends the spear
And tells the wars to cease
O Mighty One of Israel You are on our side
We walk by faith
In God who burns the chariots with fire

Lord of hosts You’re with us with us in the fire
With us as a Shelter
With us in the storm
You will lead us
Through the fiercest battle
Oh where else would we go
But with the Lord of hosts

O God of Jacob fierce and great
You lift Your voice to speak
The earth it bows
And all the mountains move into the sea
O Lord You know the hearts of men
And still You let them live
O God who makes the mountains melt
Come wrestle us and win
O God who makes the mountains melt
Come wrestle us and win

Though oceans roar You are the Lord of all
The One who calms the wind and waves
And makes my heart be still
Though the earth gives way
The mountains move into the sea
The nations rage
I know my God is in control

Passage:
7 O LORD, you have deceived me,
and I was deceived;
you are stronger than I,
and you have prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all the day;
everyone mocks me.
8 For whenever I speak, I cry out,
I shout, “Violence and destruction!”
For the word of the LORD has become for me
a reproach and derision all day long.
9 If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.
10 For I hear many whispering.
Terror is on every side!
“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”
say all my close friends,
watching for my fall.
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we can overcome him
and take our revenge on him.”
11 But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior;
therefore my persecutors will stumble;
they will not overcome me.
They will be greatly shamed,
for they will not succeed.
Their eternal dishonor
will never be forgotten.
12 O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous,
who sees the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause.

13 Sing to the LORD;
praise the LORD!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
from the hand of evildoers.

(Jeremiah 20:7–13 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” by Robert Jackson

Reflection Notes:
TRENTHAM is a tune by Robert Jackson, an English composer during the nineteenth century. It fits perfectly with the text for “Breath On Me, Breath of God,” by Edwin Hatch; each phrase is allotted ample space for reflection.

Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.