Inquire Carefully

Jeremiah, the Prophet.

Inquire Carefully

14          The old men have left the city gate,

the young men their music.

            15          The joy of our hearts has ceased;

rour dancing has been turned to mourning.

            16          The crown has fallen from our head;

woe to us, for we have sinned!

            17          For this our heart has become sick,

for these things our eyes have grown dim,

            18          for Mount Zion which lies desolate;

jackals prowl over it.

            19          But you, O Lord, reign forever;

your throne endures to all generations.

 Lamentations 5: 14-19.

The research process is interesting.  Methodology takes centre stage; consistency is king and objectivity is required to produce results that are credible and reliable.  In the sphere of social research that relies on qualitative methods this is especially true as the data themselves are somewhat subjective because they are notes of experiences, rather than numeric values. 

The analysis and interpretation of the results in qualitative research is important.  If that process is tainted with bias the conclusion and emerging resolution and application of the research will be faulty.  Anyone who has completed an honors or graduate thesis will know this to be true; and the pure scientists who prefer quantitative methods are groaning.  I can hear it, you are groaning.  I’m in the throes of producing a graduate thesis and am currently steeped in the above discourse on research methods.     

What fascinates me is that so much rests on the individual interpretation; their character, their attention to detail, their consistency; their ability to see that data fully.  

When I read this passage I see something similar.  Jeremiah’s lamentations are challenging to read. However, as a prophetic voice he was trusted to offer words from God, to hear God and explain to his people what God meant, what he was saying.   Not unlike a research looking and listening to the data; and then offering a word on what it is saying. 

After Christ’s death and resurrection the responsibility to hear God, and tell others rests on the shoulders of all believers.   Women and men who God has rescued, and changed, and brought into His family by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9); are now responsible to tell people; to hear God, to interpret what God is saying, and to tell other people what he is saying.  It is no longer the job of one individual – it is the responsibility of millions of believers around the globe. 

But will you interpret according to the Lord or your own bias?

1 Peter 1:10-14 says:

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

As we all endeavour to answer our call to tell others what God is saying, we should inquire carefully.  This helps to minimize the bias we may put on His word.  However, it requires time in the God’s presence; accomplished in any number of ways, but must allow for stillness and listening.  

This challenge is becoming more and more important as our world becomes ‘louder’ and more demanding at every moment.  Take some time to inquire carefully of the Lord – let him speak and pull back the bias you and I bring to what He speaks. 

Love to hear from you.