Is There A Word From The Lord? Series

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. These were dark days for God’s people. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already gone into captivity, and Judah was on the precipice of the same fate.

King Nebuchadnezzar had made Zedekiah king of Judah in the place of Coniah, Zedekiah’s uncle, who had only reigned for three months. There was great political tension during this time. Because of this, we see the Egyptians coming to aid Judah, most likely as a request from Zedekiah himself. The king also sends word to Jeremiah to pray for God’s help. We see that the king is desperate for help from anyone and everyone.

So the Egyptian army comes out in full force, which causes the Babylonians to leave Jerusalem. It seemed that Zedekiah’s plan had worked. But God tells Jeremiah that captivity to the Babylonians is inevitable. King Zedekiah was hoping that the Babylonians would leave, but even if the entire army had been wounded, they would still rise up and capture Jerusalem.

The people of Judah had a bitter resentment against Jeremiah because he never prophesied good to them. So Jeremiah decides to head back to the land of Benjamin, which was where his home was located. But he’s stopped at the gate by Irijah, an official who accused him of siding with the Babylonians, and attempting to leave and join them. As a result, Jeremiah is put under guard in a prison house.

THE KING'S QUESTION AND THE PROPHET'S ANSWER(v. 17)

The king asks, “Is there any word from the Lord?”

Jeremiah answers, “There is.”

THERE IS A WORD FROM THE LORD FOR THE ISSUES FACING OUR NATION

There is a word from the Lord on abortion

There is a word from the Lord on marriage

There is a word from the Lord on transgenderism and identity

There is a word from the Lord on parenting and education

THERE IS A WORD FROM THE LORD FOR THE PERSONAL STRUGGLES YOU FACE

There is a word from the Lord for your loneliness

There is a word from the Lord for your worries and fears

There is a word from the Lord for your depression

There is a word from the Lord for your temptation

There is a word from the Lord for your trial

There is a word from the Lord for your sorrow

There is a word from the Lord for your pain brought on by others

There is a word from the Lord for your uncertainties

GOD'S WORD IS SUFFICIENT for every need you have and every problem you encounter!

That’s a big statement! So then the next question is, how? How is God’s Word sufficient? Well, I believe God’s Word is sufficient for your life in three specific areas:

1. THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER THAT YOUR PROBLEM NEEDS

Life is full of problems, and without the Bible, you might never get the answers to those problems. You can turn to psychology; you can buy a self-help book; you can go to a counselor or a lawyer, but these are fallible solutions. There is no need for them when God has given us answers that cannot fail from His Word.

I mentioned just a moment ago common struggles that are typical to life: loneliness, worries, fears, depression, temptations, trials, sorrow, pain, uncertainties, and there are many more. The Bible has the answer to all of these.

I Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

And where will that answer come from? It will come from God’s Answer Book, the Bible.

II Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Doctrine: what’s right. Reproof: what’s wrong. Correction: how to get right. Instruction in righteousness: how to stay right. We tend to bring a lot of problems on ourselves. We would be much better off if we lived according to the doctrine, commands, principles, and promises of the Bible.

“There’s an app for that.” How about, “There’s a verse for that.”

Turn to I Samuel 30. (explain the context of this story)

I Samuel 30:6, “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

How did David do that? Did he give himself a pep talk? No, that would have been encouraging himself in David. I believe David quoted Scripture, perhaps even a psalm that he had written. He put his focus on the Lord, which is right where it needed to be. You will see that the next thing David does is pray. God’s Word and prayer go hand in hand. The story has a happy ending—they get everyone back. God’s Word had the answer to David’s problem.