Are your bones hollow?

Do your bones ache like Jeremiah's?

Verse for the week: God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.  Acts 2.36

Bible reading for the day:  Jeremiah 20.7-13 (note: Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem from 627-580 BC. He denounced Judah’s apostasy, idolatry, rejection of the law, breaking of the covenant, and her dependence on the temple . For being the Lord's messenger, he was persecuted and beaten.)

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.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you that you are stronger than I, even when this means I am laughingstock on account of your name. Prevail all day over my sinful self that wants obeying you to be comfortable and conflict free. Like a dread warrior on my behalf, prevail over the Devil, the world, and my sinful self… that your name may burst forth from my bones and I may sing your praises. In Jesus’ name I ask it, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6k8DFb8fWs

Benediction:  The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:

T: thanksgiving

                                                          R: regret (repentance)

                                                          I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                          P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.