Occasionally a phrase in the Bible turns my head, and I think, “Huh”? In Jeremiah this past week I read such a statement attributed to the Lord—nor did it enter my mind (Jeremiah 32:35).

As the omniscient (all-knowing) God, how does anything surprise the Lord?

The context of this quote explains a great deal. The Lord spoke through Jeremiah about his impending judgement on the people of Israel. Babylonians stood at the gate, and the sack and pillage of Jerusalem loomed. No rescue, no last minute reprieve. The Lord’s anger seethed.

Why was God so angry? Years of evil from the people of Israel—turning their backs on the Lord, setting up idols to false gods in Solomon’s temple, and most shocking, killing their children in the worship of a demon god.

This murder of innocent children set the Lord off. So tremendously vile, the Lord described the practice as unimaginable. Did God not know about these heinous acts? The Lord knew, but still the Lord described the horror as unbelievable. As I might say, not in a million years—never entered my mind.

Earlier Jeremiah wrote: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it (Jeremiah 17:9)?

And so I see the context. Who can understand a religious system that calls for the sacrifice of innocents? Yet such systems emerged over and over in various places throughout history.

These old stories, buried in the thickness of our Bibles, serve as warnings. Our enlightened hearts of the modern world remain deceitful. We’re not above killing innocents over bad ideas, are we?

Blessed in the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him (Jeremiah 17:7). Only the Lord cures the heart. That’s the lesson to draw from Jeremiah’s insight into the human condition.

Jeremiah in week forty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Trym Nilsen

I rarely hear the term “Soul” used these days. I work for an evangelistic ministry, and we tend to talk about reaching people, or changing lives, rather than saving souls. Perhaps it’s a result of camp meeting overuse, but I suspect it has more to do with the immediacy of the world we live in.

Soul is a slow word.

Our soul remains the deepest part of us, the spiritual or immaterial part, the immortal. Our souls search for God, even when we don’t know it, and our souls face an enemy—sinful desires wage war against our soul (1 Peter 2:11).

Peter reminds us of our souls and their one true guide through life. For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This shepherd provides green pastures, still waters, and righteous paths. He’s a companion through death’s valley. He sets an ample table, and hands us cups filled and overflowing. This overseer restores our souls, fills us with goodness and mercy, and prepares for us an eternal place in the house of the Lord.

Of course I speak of Jesus, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Though we might not talk about it much, our soul is ever-present, scarred and battling through life. Fortunately, our Shepherd and Overseer steps beside us along the way.

1 Peter 2 in week forty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Still waters of the Tambre River in Northern Spain

My wife and I just returned after spending 25 days in Europe. I love travel, and I especially love Europe. I enjoy walking through cathedrals, sampling new foods, and trying out my smattering of French or German or Spanish or Hungarian and seeing how people react. This trip I even pulled out a Romanian “You’re Welcome!” I learned 30-some years ago. I get a few laughs—and more than a few stares.

While I enjoy all that Europe brings, I’m never totally at home. People treat me well, I notice lots of similarities to my life here in the US, but I cannot quite settle in. Why? Because I’m a foreigner.

Peter addressed followers of Jesus scattered throughout Asia Minor as exiles. He encouraged them to live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

My feelings from Europe mirror Peter’s statement. I enjoy the good things the Lord brings, but this world is not my home. When I feel uneasy, or not quite settled, or frustrated with the culture I inhabit, I need to remember my status as a foreigner.

I sadly left cafe con leches in Spain, chocolates in Switzerland, and stroopwafels in Holland when I returned to my comfortable home in Colorado. But even here I’m a foreigner, and I look forward to a final address in glory.

1 Peter 1 in week forty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Grooveland Designs

Jeremiah lays the wood to the leaders of Judah throughout his prophetic book. He unflinchingly communicates the Lord’s anger and impending judgement on a king and court who turned away from their God.

But Jeremiah also carries words of hope. In speaking of exiles, the Lord promises to watch over them and to bring them back to their land. He promises to give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.

In that sentence I discover a prayer directly from the mouth of the Lord. I pray for myself, my kids, my spouse, and for those around me—“Lord, give them a heart to know you.”

Then more blessings from the Lord emerge: My eyes will watch over them for good…I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. All blend together with a heart aimed toward God.

No amount of prayer on my part pulls a lever causing the Lord to act a certain way. But if I’m going to pray for those in my sphere of influence, here’s a clear word from the Lord, not a guess or a wishful idea.

A heart to know me, that I am the Lord.

Amen. May it be for you and me and those we love.

Jeremiah 24 in week forty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Ümit Bulut