WEEKLY REFLECTION by Pastor Lap Dinh on Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭23‬-‭29‬

“Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “And not a God far off? “Can a person hide himself in hiding places So that I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord. “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’ How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the deceitfulness of their own heart, who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they report to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal? The prophet who has a dream may report his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word truthfully. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is My word not like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭23‬-‭29‬

We are prone to self-deception. We are naturally inclined to think that God is far away and that He will not see us hiding in our sinful activities. It started in the Garden (Genesis 3). In the time of Jeremiah, the prophets who were supposed to declare God’s word—His voice—to His people wanted instead to please people, “selling” the dream that most people wanted to see or hear.

Falsehood is not declaring the truth. Deceitfulness is telling people something like today’s popular message: “Dream it and work toward your dream.” The problem is that people are not asking, Is that from the Lord? Will that dream make me forget the name of the Lord? Will my life’s purpose, goal, and agenda hinder the name of Jesus—whose great commission should be my life’s vision?

False prophets and motivational speakers (including false Christian teachers) can sell a “self-centered dream” to anyone who likes to dream what the world subtly tells them to dream. But let those who have the Word speak God’s Word truthfully, even if it hurts. For we know that, more often than not, the Word is like fire that burns off all the dross in our lives and like a hammer that shatters a rocky heart.

The goal is to bring God’s people to repentance—returning to Him through His Son, Jesus, the only available entrance and hope for sinful humanity. Go and tell the world: those whom you meet daily, weekly, or monthly—those who have not yet heard or received Jesus.