9/1/21 “I Have Made You a Watchman” (Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 3-5)

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul” (Ezekiel 3:17-19).

How many of us would stand idly by while we saw someone robbing our neighbor’s house or trying to lure their young child into a car? Our choosing to do nothing in such situations certainly would not be carrying out the 2nd great commandment, which is to love our neighbor as ourselves (cf. Matthew 22:37-40). We all agree we should watch out for our neighbors and their children in such situations.

Spiritually, how many of us believe we need to watch out for our neighbors? It appears the majority in our society believe religion is something we should keep to ourselves. Pressure is placed upon us not to tell others of the consequences of not obeying God and seeking a relationship with us. We are frowned upon as being “Jesus freaks” if we talk to others about Him. What does God say about this?

In considering God’s message to the prophet Ezekiel, we certainly learn what God wants us to do when it comes to watching out for our neighbor’s spiritual welfare. Ezekiel the priest is called by God to prophesy to God’s people who have already been carried away to Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1-3). God tells Ezekiel that the people he is going to preach to are not going to listen because they are a rebellious house (Ezekiel 2:3-5; 3:7). However, since Ezekiel knew up front that these people would not listen to God’s message, did this relieve him of his duty to speak God’s warnings to them?

As the opening verses describe, God still expected Ezekiel to preach God’s message to them. If Ezekiel warned them and they did not obey, they would die in their sins, but Ezekiel would have delivered his soul. On the other hand, if Ezekiel failed to speak God’s Word of warning to them, they would still die in their sins, but God would require their blood at Ezekiel’s hand (Ezekiel 3:17-19).

Does this mean we should stand on the street corner and yell at people warning them of God’s impending judgment? That is certainly one method, but it is probably not a very effective method. Looking at how Ezekiel began his ministry to these captives, we see he goes and simply sits among them for 7 days (Ezekiel 3:15). The text says he was “astonished” among them. He “sat where they sat”. Ezekiel empathized with the plight of his people. Although God had told Ezekiel these people were a “rebellious house”, Ezekiel tried to understand them and the heartache they faced.

Knowing God’s Word brings an obligation upon us to warn others around us of the consequences of sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23). However, it also gives us an opportunity to share with them the Good News of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ. Learning from Ezekiel, we see the importance of not just criticizing our fellow man for their sinful behavior, but also of trying to empathize with our fellow man and the heartache they face because of their sins. Sharing the gospel with them gives us the opportunity to point them to a better life on this earth and eternal life in the future through Jesus Christ. Today, I acknowledge I need to be a good neighbor and warn those around me of the consequences of sin and I will look for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with others!

“…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16).

8/31/21 “They Will Know That a Prophet Has Been Among Them” (Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-2)

“And He said to me: ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse--for they are a rebellious house--yet they will know that a prophet has been among them’” (Ezekiel 2:3-5).

How do you feel when you share the gospel with someone you care about and they have no interest in it? Depending upon how we view our role in sharing the gospel with others, such instances can be very discouraging to us and we can take such rejection as a personal failure on our part.

Ezekiel the priest is summoned by God to prophesy to God’s people who are in captivity in Babylon. The Babylonians had been attacking Judah multiple times during this period, had carried many of God’s people captive to Babylon, but had not completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem. As Ezekiel begins his ministry to God’s people in Babylon, it would be roughly six more years before Jerusalem would be destroyed and burned (cf. Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2 Chronicles 36:9-11; Jeremiah 52:4-15).

God wants Ezekiel to proclaim His Word to God’s people already taken captive by prior attacks of the Babylonians before the ultimate fall of Jerusalem. God reveals Himself to Ezekiel in an awesome vision as Ezekiel beholds a whirlwind coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself, four living creatures, and the appearance of God’s throne in the sky (Ezekiel 1:4-28).

As the opening verses above describe, Ezekiel’s chances for “success” (i.e. as typically defined by the world’s standards) would be unlikely. God tells Ezekiel that He is sending him to prophesy to a rebellious people (Ezekiel 2:3-5). God encourages Ezekiel to not be afraid of them even though they are rebellious (Ezekiel 2:6). However, God defines His standard for Ezekiel’s successful ministry much differently than does our world. God only cared that Ezekiel proclaim God’s message to these rebellious people: “You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious” (Ezekiel 2:8). God only wanted His people to know that Ezekiel was God’s prophet who had been among them (Ezekiel 2:5).

In an interesting display for God giving His Words to Ezekiel, God has Ezekiel eat a scroll containing God’s Word and then sends Ezekiel out to speak with His people (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3). As he sends Ezekiel to them, God lets him know that are going to reject Ezekiel and the message of God he brings: “But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted” (Ezekiel 3:7).

As we share the Good News of Christ with those around us, God does not hold us accountable for whether those around us obey the Gospel. God only holds us accountable for doing our part to spread His Word (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:4). In sharing the gospel with others, am I seeking my own glory, so I boast of all the great works I have done, or am I seeking God’s glory (Matthew 5:16)? God is glorified any time I let others know what the Lord has done for me. Today, as I seek opportunities to share the message of Christ with others I will not seek my own glory and allow myself to get discouraged when that message is rejected by those who choose to remain rebellious to God, but I will seek God’s glory and glorify Him by proclaiming the Good News of what God has done for me!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

8/30/21 “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Daily Bible Reading: Lamentations 3-5)

“Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” (Lamentations 3:19-24).

Do you ever struggle with feeling God does not care about you or understand the heartaches you face? Being a follower of God doesn’t mean we never battle with such powerful, negative feelings. God doesn’t despise us when such thoughts come to our minds. Some of the greatest servants of God, like the prophet Jeremiah, combated with such feelings.

Notice the negative thoughts that came to Jeremiah’s mind as he observed first-hand the destruction of his beloved Jerusalem. Beholding the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah states, “All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Fear and a snare have come upon us, desolation and destruction. My eyes overflow with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people” (Lamentations 3:46-48). Furthermore, Jeremiah struggles with understanding why God hasn’t intervened to help them: “You have covered Yourself with anger and pursued us; You have slain and not pitied. You have covered Yourself with a cloud, that prayer should not pass through. You have made us an offscouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples” (Lamentations 3:43-45).

In addition, as he further descends into despair, Jeremiah accuses God of not treating him fairly: “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He has led me and made me walk in darkness and not in light. Surely, He has turned His hand against me time and time again throughout the day. He has aged my flesh and my skin, and broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and woe. He has set me in dark places like the dead of long ago. He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy. Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer” (Lamentations 3:1-8). By these words, we can clearly see Jeremiah is at a low point in his walk with God.

However, Jeremiah’s words to God do not end here. As the opening verses above indicate, after pouring out his soul to God, Jeremiah makes some wonderful statements indicating that, although he was greatly struggling with his faith in God, he was still maintaining faith in God. He remembers that because of God’s mercy and compassion Israel was not completely consumed. There was still a remnant that remained. He proclaims to God, “Great is Your faithfulness”. God would continue to be his portion and Jeremiah would continue to hope in Him (Lamentations 3:22-24).

I look forward to seeing Jeremiah in heaven. He is such an inspiration to me. He faithfully served God during some very dark days in Israel’s history. Although dealing with the heartache of seeing the destruction of God’s people because of their sins, coping with being imprisoned for proclaiming God’s message, and battling with his own negative feelings of depression, Jeremiah rises from the ashes and proclaims to God, “Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23). Today, I will rejoice at the great faithfulness of God to me when I struggle with my own sins, fears, and doubts. Like Jeremiah, I will remember God is my portion and I will hope in Him!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23)

8/29/21 “Is There No One To Comfort Me?” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 52-Lamentations 2)

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces has become a slave! She weeps bitterly in the night, her tears are on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies. Judah has gone into captivity, under affliction and hard servitude; she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest; all her persecutors overtake her in dire straits” (Lamentations 1:1-3).

How many of us enjoy going to a funeral? While many of us may not look forward to going to a funeral, funerals serve very important purposes. Not only does a funeral serve to remember the deceased, but it also serves to comfort the bereaved.

The book of Lamentations describes the funeral of a city. As Jeremiah writes this book, Jerusalem has just been taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Jeremiah acknowledges that God was right to fulfill His promises to bring such judgment upon them: “The Lord has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word which He commanded in days of old. He has thrown down and has not pitied, and He has caused an enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the horn of your adversaries” (Lamentations 2:17). However, Jeremiah also tearfully describes his own emotions at seeing the death of his beloved city: “My eyes fail with tears, my heart is troubled; my bile is poured on the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people…” (Lamentations 2:11).

At this painful moment, Jeremiah personifies the city of Jerusalem as one seeking comfort. But, as the opening verses describe, she is unable to find comfort from those she had trusted in the past. They have forsaken her and she is left comfortless by them (Lamentations 1:1-3). Desperately seeking comfort, she turns to the Lord, the only One who can comfort her. As she does so, she acknowledges her sins, “The Lord is righteous, for I rebelled against His commandment. Hear now, all peoples, and behold my sorrow; my virgins and my young men have gone into captivity. I called for my lovers, but they deceived me; my priests and my elders breathed their last in the city, while they sought food to restore their life. See, O Lord, that I am in distress; my soul is troubled; my heart is overturned within me, for I have been very rebellious…” (Lamentations 2:18-20).

In reading the book of Lamentations, it painfully reminds me that Hell is described as a place of no comfort. Jesus described the unending pain of it as He portrays Hell as the place “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44). How painful it will be for those who end up in Hell to realize their own actions, like Jerusalem of old, have put them in such a terrible place (Romans 3:23; 6:23). However, this is a place which God wants us to avoid. He sent His own Son to die for our sins to spare us from such misery (John 3:16) as He desires to save us (1 Timothy 2:4).

On the other hand, God is always there to comfort us if we will turn to Him. To those of Isaiah’s day, God said, “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid…” (Isaiah 51:12). Not only does God comfort those who faithfully serve them today, but Heaven is described as a place where God continues to comfort His people and wipe away their tears (Revelation 21:4). Today, I rejoice that God seeks to comfort me and I will turn to Him for comfort in all my afflictions.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

8/28/21 “The Sinking of Babylon” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 48-51)

“Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall tie a stone to it and throw it out into the Euphrates. Then you shall say, 'Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary.' Thus far are the words of Jeremiah” (Jeremiah 51:63-64).

It is a great comfort to me to consider God’s Sovereignty. In His Sovereignty God watches over my physical needs and has sent His Son to redeem me from my sins (Galatians 4:4-5). In addition, as part of His reigning power, God rules over the nations. Job said, “He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them. He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless wilderness. They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man” (Job 12:23-25).

Throughout the book of Jeremiah, there is a dark cloud as Jeremiah prophesies about the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem by the nation of Babylon because of the sin of God’s people. One can only imagine the anxiety which must have weighed on Jeremiah’s heart and on the hearts of the faithful remnant as they saw the growing power of Babylon and her threatening Israel’s borders. However, as the book closes, God comforts His people by reminding them of His Sovereignty and that He will be punishing the nation of Babylon. Over a hundred verses in the last few chapters of the book of Jeremiah are dedicated to Babylon’s looming destruction (Jeremiah 50:1-51:58).

It is interesting, but 7 years before the destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:1-5), through the prophet Jeremiah, God speaks of the upcoming destruction of Babylon. Jeremiah tells Seraiah, who goes with King Zedekiah to Babylon, God’s message and notice what Jeremiah has Seraiah do: “The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And Seraiah was the quartermaster. So, Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that would come upon Babylon, all these words that are written against Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, ‘When you arrive in Babylon and see it, and read all these words, then you shall say, “O Lord, You have spoken against this place to cut it off, so that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but it shall be desolate forever” ’ ” (Jeremiah 51:59-62). Then as the opening verses above indicate, Seraiah throws the book containing these words into the Euphrates River and says, 'Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary' (Jeremiah 51:63-64).

As we look at the news of today, there are lots of things in it that can create anxiety in our hearts today such as wars, violence, poverty, economic struggles, and the questionable decisions of many of our elected officials. It is comforting to be mindful that God still rules the nations and will ultimately execute His Sovereign judgment upon them: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). As Christians, we can rejoice that we are part of a greater kingdom. We are part of the Kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). Unlike Babylon of old or even the United States of America where I live today, Jesus’ Kingdom will never be sunk (Matthew 16:18-19). Today, I rejoice in being able to let go of my anxieties regarding the fate of earthly kingdoms and rejoice that my Heavenly Father in His Sovereignty has placed me in the Kingdom of His Son!

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

8/27/21 “What Will It Take to Humble Me?” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 44-47)

“Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? They have not been humbled, to this day, nor have they feared; they have not walked in My law or in My statutes that I set before you and your fathers” (Jeremiah 44:9-10).

The singer Mac Davis sings a funny song with the line, “It’s hard to be humble, when you’re as great as I am”. Solomon wrote, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Pride is a vice many of us struggle with, although, some of us may be too proud to admit it.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity of the land of Judah (Jeremiah 39:1-8), a group of God’s people led by Johanan the son of Kareah, one of the former army leaders, begin to leave the Promised Land and flee to Egypt (Jeremiah 43:5-7). Through the prophet Jeremiah, God had warned them not to do this and they would face certain destruction if they did (Jeremiah 42:15-19). However, they insist on going and force Jeremiah to go with them to Egypt.

While in Egypt, God speaks regarding those Israelites who chose to go down to Egypt. He reminds them of what He did in the past to those who refused to humble themselves before the Lord: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'You have seen all the calamity that I have brought on Jerusalem and on all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are a desolation, and no one dwells in them, because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke Me to anger, in that they went to burn incense and to serve other gods whom they did not know, they nor you nor your fathers’” (Jeremiah 44:2-3). God had sent His prophets to them to warn them, but they refused to humble themselves before God. As a result, they faced God’s wrath. God states, “So My fury and My anger were poured out and kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as it is this day” (Jeremiah 44:6).

As the opening verses above indicate, those Israelites who fled to Egypt had seen what happens to those who refuse to humble themselves before God. Yet, by fleeing to Egypt, they were once again subjecting themselves to God’s wrath (Jeremiah 44:7-9). Regarding them, God says, “They have not been humbled, to this day, nor have they feared; they have not walked in My law or in My statutes that I set before you and your fathers” (Jeremiah 44:10). Even after all the consequences they had faced because of their own sin, they still refused to humble themselves before God. Following this warning by Jeremiah to them, notice their prideful response: “"As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you!” (Jeremiah 44:16).

Even though they had seen such great calamity like the terrible destruction of Jerusalem, they still refused to humble themselves before God. How many of us know people that we love who have suffered terrible consequences from their own sins, yet still refuse to humble themselves before God? More importantly, how often do we find ourselves being prideful and resisting following God’s Will in our lives when it comes submitting to such challenging commands as practicing forgiveness towards others (Matthew 6:14-15) or loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44)? What must God do to me in order to get me to walk humbly before Him? Today, I will strive to humble myself before the Lord!

“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

8/26/21 “My Will Be Done?” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 41-43)

“Now all the captains of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, came near and said to Jeremiah the prophet, ‘Please, let our petition be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the Lord your God, for all this remnant (since we are left but a few of many, as you can see), that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do” (Jeremiah 42:1-3).

When you pray to God, how do you want God to answer your prayer? Deep down inside, do you expect Him to answer your prayer according to your will or His? How do you react when His answer to your prayer is not what you wanted it to be?

As we continue reading through the book of Jeremiah, following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 39:1-8), we see Gedaliah becomes the puppet governor set up by the Babylonians to maintain law and order in the recently conquered territory (Jeremiah 40:5-6). Gedaliah encourages the people, including the former army commanders, to live at peace with the Babylonians (Jeremiah 40:7-12). However, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, one of the former army leaders, secretly kills Gedaliah the governor (Jeremiah 41:1-3). Later, Ishmael and the forces allied to him were defeated by another of the former army leaders, Johanan the son of Kareah (Jeremiah 41:11-12). Although Ishmael himself is able to escape and flee to the Ammonites following this battle, Johanan is able to recover many of the people taken captive by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:13-15).

Following this civil war among the remnants remaining of the Israelites, Johanan considers leading those under his command down to Egypt for fear of Babylonian reprisals following these events. He comes to Jeremiah asking for God’s guidance as he says to Jeremiah, “that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing which we should do” (Jeremiah 42:3). Jeremiah welcomes their petition request: “Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, ‘I have heard. Indeed, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your words, and it shall be, that whatever the Lord answers you, I will declare it to you. I will keep nothing back from you’" (Jeremiah 42:4).

Johanan and those with him respond that they will respect whatever God’s answer is to them: “So they said to Jeremiah, ‘Let the Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the Lord your God sends us by you. Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God’" (Jeremiah 42:5-6). Although they mouthed these words, they did not mean them in their hearts. When Jeremiah tells them God wanted them not to go to Egypt, but to remain in the land, they are enraged, accused Jeremiah of speaking falsely (Jeremiah 43:2), and leave for Egypt anyway forcing Jeremiah to go with them (Jeremiah 43:4-7).

How often do I act like Johanan and those who were with him with regard to my prayer life? Instead of waiting for and obeying God’s answers to my petitions, I expect God’s answer to my prayers to simply be a confirmation of my preconceived plans. Today, unlike Johanan, when I call upon God in prayer I will say like Jesus, “...nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3).

8/25/21 “Showing Kindness in the Midst of Calamity” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 38-40)

“So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah. Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.’ And Jeremiah did so. So, they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison” (Jeremiah 38:11-13)

The actor Tommy Lee Jones said, “Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused”. Many of us would say we show acts of kindness towards others. However, how apt are we to show kindness to others when we ourselves are going through a great trial of affliction?

As the opening verses above show, the prophet Jeremiah experienced an act of great kindness from an Ethiopian man named Ebed-Melech (Jeremiah 38:11-13). During the last days of the nation of Judah as the Babylonian army was about to capture the capital city of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was falsely accused of trying to defect to the Babylonians (Jeremiah 37:11-13). As a result, he was arrested and imprisoned (Jeremiah 37:14-16, 21). Later, Jeremiah is put into a dungeon where there is no water. He begins to sink in the mire of this dungeon and his death is imminent (Jeremiah 38:6).

At this time, not only was Jeremiah’s life in grave danger, but everyone in Jerusalem had their lives threatened. The Babylonian army was literally right outside the door of the city. Jeremiah had prophesied that they were going to not only burn the city with fire, but also destroy the inhabitants as well (Jeremiah 37:6-10; 38:1-3). Yet, in spite of this looming threat, the Ethiopian Ebed-Melech goes to King Zedekiah and requests that the king allow him to rescue Jeremiah from this terrible dungeon (Jeremiah 38:7-10). The king grants his request of kindness and Ebed-Melech rescues Jeremiah from the dungeon. Jeremiah is then allowed to remain in the court of the prison (Jeremiah 38:11-13).

What strikes me about this event is Ebed-Melech was not so wrapped up in his own adversity (i.e. the looming destruction of Jerusalem) that he failed to see the need to show kindness to others who were also facing their own great trials as Jeremiah did. God would reward Ebed-Melech for his act of kindness. While Jeremiah is still in the court of the prison, God’s Word comes to him, “Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. But I will deliver you in that day,” says the Lord, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord’ " (Jeremiah 39:15-18). In the midst of the great storm of affliction that was happening to Jerusalem, God noticed, appreciated, and would reward Ebed-Melech’s kindness to God’s servant Jeremiah.

All of us face our own trials. As of the moment of this writing, some of us are facing greater trials than others. However, let us strive to follow the example of Ebed-Melech and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who in spite of the affliction which they faced, still showed kindness to others (cf. John 13:1-17; 34-35). Today, I will strive to show others the kindness of God through me!

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me'” (Matthew 25:34-36).

8/24/21 “A Vain Attempt to Destroy God’s Word” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 35-37)

“Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning on the hearth before him. And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe's knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth” (Jeremiah 36:22-23).

The “Jefferson Bible”, or “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” as it is formally titled, was a book constructed by Thomas Jefferson in the latter years of his life by cutting and pasting (literally with a razor and glue) numerous sections from the New Testament as extractions of the doctrine of Jesus. Jefferson's condensed composition is especially notable for its exclusion of all miracles by Jesus and most mentions of the supernatural, including sections of the four gospels which contain the Resurrection and most other miracles, and passages indicating Jesus was divine. Jefferson was not the only national leader who cut away portions of God’s Word with which he disagreed.

During the days of King Jehoiakim’s reign, God had a task for Jeremiah to perform. “Now it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: ‘Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day’” (Jeremiah 36:1-2). Because he was confined, Jeremiah sends his servant Baruch to read it to the people who come to the Lord’s house (Jeremiah 36:4-7).

God’s purpose in having Jeremiah do this was His desire that His people would repent and turn back to Him: “It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin” (Jeremiah 36:3). As Baruch reads God’s Word to the people in the Lord’s house, some of the princes hear news of it and invite Baruch to come to the King’s House to read it to them (Jeremiah 36:8-15). As the princes listen, they are filled with fear as they hear these words (Jeremiah 36:16).

As the opening verses above indicate, the princes encourage the king to hear God’s message. However, Jehoiakim callously takes the scroll containing God’s Word, cuts it up with a scribe’s knife, and casts it into the fire (Jeremiah 36:23). However, the message of God’s Word cannot be avoided so easily. In fact, God instructs Jeremiah, “And you shall say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, 'Thus says the Lord: "You have burned this scroll, saying, 'Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and cause man and beast to cease from here?' " Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: "He shall have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night. I will punish him, his family, and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring on them, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah all the doom that I have pronounced against them; but they did not heed." ' " (Jeremiah 36:29-31). For Jehoiakim there was no avoiding God’s judgment!

There is no doubt there are many in our world, who like King Jehoiakim of old, try their best to disregard God’s Word. Whether I agree or disagree with what God states in the Scriptures, God’s Word will endure. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Today, I will show respect to God’s Word by fearing the Lord and submitting to His message for me as I strive to live within the boundaries He has set for my life!

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

8/23/21“The Field of Dreams” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 32-34)

“And Jeremiah said, ‘The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, ‘Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it.’” Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said to me, “Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.” Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord’” (Jeremiah 32:6-8).

Many of us remember the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams” in which Kevin Costner starred as a farmer who decides to build a baseball field on his farm. One of the familiar lines in the movie is “If you build it he will come.” He builds the baseball field, not only do a number of former baseball players appear, but also the farmer’s father appears to him as a young man in his earlier years.

As the opening verses above describe, God tells Jeremiah to buy his “field of dreams”. Jeremiah’s cousin comes to Jeremiah encouraging him to buy Jeremiah’s uncle’s field. According to the rights of inheritance, Jeremiah was given the opportunity to purchase it (Jeremiah 32:6-7).

However, on the surface, one would question if it made any sense for Jeremiah to do so. At the time when Jeremiah learns of this right of his to inherit and redeem this field, Jeremiah has been locked up in prison by king Zedekiah for speaking God’s Word regarding the upcoming destruction of Judah and Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:1-5). Why should Jeremiah buy a field when he did not even know if he would ever be released from prison to enjoy it? Furthermore, as Jeremiah looked outside his prison window, he could see the siege mounds the Babylonians were building in order to conquer the city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:24). Why should Jeremiah buy a field in the land of Israel, when the Babylonians were about to conquer all the land? Under such circumstances it would appear if Jeremiah purchased this land, there would be no way he would ever enjoy its fruits? Although Jeremiah buys the land as God has instructed him and stores the deed in safe keeping, (Jeremiah 32:9-15), he struggles with doubts as to why God has told him to do all of this (Jeremiah 32:16-25).

However, God assures Jeremiah that, even though everything at the moment seems hopeless as the Babylonians are about to conquer the land, following 70 years of captivity God will bring His people back to the land and there will be great rejoicing: “For thus says the Lord: 'Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. And fields will be bought in this land of which you say, “It is desolate, without man or beast; it has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” Men will buy fields for money, sign deeds and seal them, and take witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I will cause their captives to return,' says the Lord” (Jeremiah 32:42-44).

As I read this great chapter in the book of Jeremiah, I am greatly comforted as I see how God assures Jeremiah of the hope Jeremiah has placed in Him. In faith, Jeremiah obeys God even though many would think he was foolish to do so as the Babylonians are about to conquer the land and Jeremiah himself is locked up in prison. Today, I will strive to live by faith in God as I look forward to enjoying my “field of dreams”, my heavenly home with God!

“Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).

8/22/21 “I Have Loved You with an Everlasting Love” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 28-31)

“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again, I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice’” (Jeremiah 31:3-4).

Much of the book of Jeremiah is unpleasant to read because it describes Israel’s rebellion against God and His chastisement upon them by His allowing the nation of Babylon to carry Israel into captivity because of their sins. However, the book of Jeremiah also speaks of God’s encouragement to His people to hope for a better future as He will bring them back from captivity: “‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord, ‘nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid. For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished’” (Jeremiah 30:10-11).

It pained God to have to chastise His people because of their rebellion and sin. However, His focus was not to punish them forever, but to redeem them following this period of necessary affliction. He loved them with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). Through Jeremiah, He encourages them: "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he” (Jeremiah 31:10-11).

While they were experiencing captivity, Israel would bemoan herself for her foolishness in rebelling against God: “I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained bull; restore me, and I will return, for You are the Lord my God. Surely, after my turning, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated, because I bore the reproach of my youth'” (Jeremiah 31:18-19). Although downcast because of her own sins, God reminds Israel to have hope regarding her future: “Thus says the Lord: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.’ Thus, says the Lord: ‘Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border’” (Jeremiah 31:15-17).

Throughout His challenges with the rebellion of His people, God continued to love them with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore, My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:20). The days were coming when God would make a new and better covenant with them (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Today, I rejoice that even though I fail God because of my own struggle with sin, God continues to love me with an “everlasting love”!

“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

8/21/21 “The Challenge of Accepting God’s Judgment” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 24-27)

“I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, ‘Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live! Why will you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord has spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?’” (Jeremiah 27:12-13).

What do you think in regard to Hell? Do you believe it is a place where God will send the wicked for eternity (cf. Matthew 25:41; Revelation 21:8) or is the thought of Hell so terrible that you have difficulty accepting that a loving God (cf. John 3:16) could render such harsh judgment for evil men?

These questions challenge our thinking and demonstrate that it is not always easy to accept God’s judgments. As the opening verses above describe, through the prophet Jeremiah, God was trying to get His people to accept His upcoming judgment regarding their sin and rebellion against Him. The Lord was bringing Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, to conquer God’s people because of their sin. The people of Jeremiah’s day had great difficulty in accepting this harsh judgment from God.

Though His people had sinned and would have to endure God’s judgment of them by serving the king of Babylon, God wanted to them to see that by their willingness to embrace this judgment of God and by their submitting to serve the King of Babylon for a while, they would actually make their sentence easier. To illustrate His point, God even has Jeremiah tell the surrounding nations to “Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, and put them on your neck” and thus submit themselves to the rule of the King of Babylon, who is going to be God’s instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 27:1-11). Then to His own people, God encourages them to by saying, “Bring you necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live!” (Jeremiah 27:12). If they refused to do this, they would not live, but would die by sword, famine, and pestilence (Jeremiah 27:13).

This was not a message God’s people wanted to hear. They did not want to accept God’s judgment of them. Instead, false prophets arose who lied and told God’s people this would not happen. For example, the false prophet Hananiah went so far as to take the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck, break it and falsely say, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years’” (Jeremiah 28:10-11). God warned His people not to listen to such false prophets: “‘Therefore do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon,” for they prophesy a lie to you; for I have not sent them,’ says the Lord, ‘yet they prophesy a lie in My name, that I may drive you out, and that you may perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you’” (Jeremiah 27:14-15).

Sadly, God’s people refused to listen to Jeremiah’s warnings and encouragement to submit themselves to God’s judgment in the form of being ruled by the King of Babylon. They rebelled and thus suffered horrible destruction at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:13-19). It broke Jeremiah’s heart to see this happen to his people: “My eyes fail with tears, my heart is troubled; my bile is poured on the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because the children and the infants faint in the streets of the city” (Lamentations 2:11).

As God’s love is something we should celebrate (cf. Romans 5:6-11), even so His judgments for sin are terrible and should be feared, respected, and accepted by those who call themselves His people (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Today, I celebrate God’s love, but I will fear and accept His judgments!

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

8/20/21 “I Cannot Hold Back God’s Word” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 20-23)

“O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; everyone mocks me. For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, ‘Violence and plunder!’ because the Word of the Lord was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not (Jeremiah 20:7-9).

Have you ever struggled to speak God’s Word to others? God’s Word can be difficult to share with those around us because we feel God’s message may be difficult for them to hear. As the opening verses above indicate, at times Jeremiah struggled with speaking God’s truth (Jeremiah 20:7-9).

Jeremiah had gone through a lot as he strove to faithfully proclaim God’s Word. He was even arrested for being God’s faithful spokesman to His people: “Now Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord” (Jeremiah 20:1-2).

When Jeremiah is released, he courageously tells Pashur God’s message to him: “And it happened on the next day that Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, ‘The Lord has not called your name Pashhur, but Magor-Missabib. For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it. I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon and slay them with the sword” ’ ” (Jeremiah 20:3-4). Even after being persecuted, Jeremiah faithfully proclaimed God’s Word!

However, this doesn’t mean these events didn’t take a toll on Jeremiah. As the opening verses above indicate, like many of us, Jeremiah struggled with discouragement at the things which happened to him (Jeremiah 20:7-8). He gets so depressed he curses the day he was ever born (Jeremiah 20:14-18). He is even tempted to stop speaking God’s Word: “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name’…” (Jeremiah 20:9a). However, despite his own struggle with discouragement, Jeremiah could not bring himself to do this to God: “But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (Jeremiah 20:9b). At this low moment in his life, Jeremiah turns to God in faith: “But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten. But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, and see the mind and heart, let me see Your vengeance on them; for I have pleaded my cause before You” (Jeremiah 20:11-12).

As I study the life of Jeremiah, I appreciate him keeping the faith in the midst of such great adversity. He continued to speak the truth of God’s Word to His fellow countrymen about whom he cared deeply. Although he battled with discouragement and even depression, he did not allow these obstacles to overcome him. He stayed true to God! He is one of the faithful servants of God I long to see in heaven. Today, I will strive to stay true to God and to sharing God’s message to those around me. I will strive to remain faithful to Him and His Word even when I struggle with discouragement!

“Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life” (Psalm 119:92-93).

8/19/21 “In the Potter’s Hands” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 18-19)

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?’ says the Lord. ‘Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!’” (Jeremiah 18:5-6).

How often have we sung the lyrics, “Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still”. These lyrics were written by Adelaide A. Pollard. In 1902, Adelaide A. Pollard, a hymn writer, was hoping to go to Africa as a missionary but found herself unable to raise the needed funds to make the journey. Greatly discouraged, she attended a prayer service one evening and as she sat there, she overheard an elderly woman say "It really doesn't matter what you do with us, Lord, just have your own way with our lives." The elderly woman inspired Pollard and she contemplated the story of the potter from Jeremiah 18:3 and, upon her return home that evening, wrote all four stanzas before retiring for the night. Her song reminds us that as God’s servants we are to submit to His Will.

God had Jeremiah go down to a potter’s house and observe the potter at work to illustrate a point the Lord wants to make regarding His relationship with His people. “Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make” (Jeremiah 18:3-4). As the opening verses above indicate, through Jeremiah God reminds His people that He is the Potter and they are the clay (Jeremiah 18:5-6).

Nations are described as being clay in God’s hands. God describes how He is able to fashion them in His hands. “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it” (Jeremiah 18:7-10).

God warns the nation of Judah of His plans for her because of her sins. “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the Lord: "Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good" ' " (Jeremiah 18:11).

Sadly, God people rebel at his offer. “And they said, ‘That is hopeless! So, we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart’" (Jeremiah 18:12). In the next chapter of Jeremiah, God will have Jeremiah dash a hardened potter’s vessel to illustrate God’s people’s hardening their hearts against Him, God’s upcoming punishment of them, and following their destruction no one would be able to put them back together, just as a potter’s vessel cannot be put back together after it has hardened and been broken (Jeremiah 19:1-15).

God is the Potter. I am the clay. I will learn the lesson from God and His people of how important it is for me to keep my heart soft towards God so He can continue to mold me and make me a vessel to His honor and glory. Today, I will sing, “Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!”

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments” (Psalm 119:73).

8/18/21 “God’s Prophet Is Called…To Repent” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 15-17)

“I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, for You have filled me with indignation. Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream, as waters that fail?” (Jeremiah 15:17-18).

Who needs to repent of sin? Is it just those who are in a state of continuous rebellion of God and who refuse to submit to Him? No, all men are called to repent (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3).

As the opening verses above show, Jeremiah proclaims his own faithfulness to God (Jeremiah 15:17). Moreover, he adds, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

He then pours out his complaint regarding the adversity he faces proclaiming God’s message to a rebellious people. Jeremiah states, “Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent for interest, nor have men lent to me for interest. Every one of them curses me” (Jeremiah 15:10). He then adds, “O Lord, You know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke” (Jeremiah 15:15). As he voices his complaint before the Lord, he then turns on God, “Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream, as waters that fail?” (Jeremiah 15:17-18). He accuses God of being unfaithful or being “unreliable”.

Jeremiah had crossed a line. It is one thing to be frustrated and complain to God about our struggles. It is another thing entirely in our frustration to begin accusing God of being unfaithful to His promises. God knew Jeremiah’s heart and it wasn’t right. Later God says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). God calls on Jeremiah to repent: “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘If you return, then I will bring you back; you shall stand before Me; if you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, but you must not return to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and deliver you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible’” (Jeremiah 15:19-21).

Jeremiah faced some great challenges as he served God. Unfortunately, like each of us, he did not always succeed in serving God faithfully during these challenges. Like everyone one of us who strive to serve God, he struggled at times with his own doubts. As the instance in his life shows, he doubted God’s faithfulness. Because of this, he needed to repent. This reminds me that many times I struggle with my faith and I am tempted to doubt God’s faithfulness and accuse Him of being an “unreliable stream”. When I do so, like He did with Jeremiah, God lovingly calls me to repent (1 John 1:7-9). Today, I celebrate that God is always faithful to keep His promises. Whatever trials may come my way this day, I will remember that I can always lean on God because He is reliable!

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So, we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ (Hebrews 13:5-6).

8/17/21 “Let Me Talk with You about Your Judgments” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 12-14)

“Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth but far from their mind” (Jeremiah 12:1-2).

Have you ever questioned the decisions or judgments which God makes? Many of us have probably questioned why God gives certain commands which we find in the Scriptures. God’s judgments do not always “make sense” to us. In the opening verses above we see Jeremiah saying to God, “let me talk with You about Your judgments” (Jeremiah 12:1).

Jeremiah was struggling to faithfully serve God. He says, “But You, O Lord, know me; You have seen me, and You have tested my heart toward You…” (Jeremiah 12:3a). Yet, as the opening verses above show, he struggled with understanding why God apparently allowed the wicked to prosper and be happy (Jeremiah 12:2). He wanted God to harshly judge them now: “…Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed, for the wickedness of those who dwell there, because they said, "He will not see our final end” (Jeremiah 12:3b-4).

God’s response to Jeremiah’s questioning His judgments is interesting. God’s tells Jeremiah, “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5). Greater challenges were ahead for Jeremiah than simply enduring seeing some wicked people prosper. Jeremiah was going to have to face a conspiracy against his own life from within his own family. The Lord tells the prophet, “For even your brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you” (Jeremiah 12:6).

Furthermore, God tells Jeremiah that the prophet has no idea of the pain God experiences in having to render His judgments: “I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies. My heritage is to Me like a lion in the forest; It cries out against Me; therefore, I have hated it. My heritage is to Me like a speckled vulture; the vultures all around are against her. Come, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour!” (Jeremiah 12:7-9). It was painful for God to have to allow other nations to devour His beloved Israel.

However, God judged this was the way to get His people to repent and turn back to Him. God would then render punishment against the nations who had harshly treated His people: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Against all My evil neighbors who touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit--behold, I will pluck them out of their land and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land” (Jeremiah 12:14-15).

As I consider Jeremiah’s questioning God’s judgments, it is humbling because I know I am tempted to do the same. Rather than questioning God’s decisions, I should trust that He will always act righteously in His judgments. Today, I will strive to accept God’s judgments and not question them!

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).

8/16/21 “Glorying in the Lord” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 9-11)

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Do you give glory to God? I believe most of us as Christians give glory to God regarding the awesomeness of His creation (Psalm 19:1) and His love for us (John 3:16). However, as the opening verses above state, do we give glory to God not only when he exercises His mercy and lovingkindness, but also when He exercises His judgment and righteousness (Jeremiah 9:23-24)?

In the 9th chapter of Jeremiah God speaks about His terrible judgment which is coming upon Jerusalem because of her sinful rebellion towards God. God states, “Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through? And the Lord said, ‘Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them,’ therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them until I have consumed them’” (Jeremiah 9:12-16).

Can you imagine how hard it would be to live during the times of Jeremiah hearing God’s message of the impending doom upon your nation? Furthermore, can you imagine challenging the task would be if you had to be the one to deliver such a message to your fellow countrymen whom you loved? This is the position of the prophet Jeremiah. He describes the difficulty he felt in having to deliver such a message: “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh, that I had in the wilderness a lodging place for travelers; that I might leave my people and go from them! For they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men” (Jeremiah 9:1-2). He wanted to go and hide somewhere!

However, as the opening verses describe, we are to glory that we both “understand” and “know” the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Understanding the Lord, does not just mean we understand and know those attributes that are more easily embraced such as His love, grace, and mercy; it also means that we accept and embrace those characteristics of His that are good and right, but are not as pleasant upon which to dwell, such as His coming judgment and punishment of those who persist in sin. Because God’s justice and punishment for sin is not always enjoyable about which to think, it has led some to deny such Biblical teachings as one having to spend an eternity in Hell as punishment for sin if one refuses to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

I want to both “know” and “understand” the Lord. This means I will glory not only in His love, grace, and mercy which He has shown me in great abundance, but I will also glory that I know, understand, and respect that He is righteous when He judges and executes punishment for sin. Today, I will give glory to the great God I serve!

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).

8/15/21 “Is There No Cure for Those I Love?” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 5-8)

“For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:21-22).

Have you ever been grieved in seeing those you love doing things which hurt themselves? Have you questioned why God doesn’t answer your prayers to help them turn from their harmful ways? If so, you are not alone. As the opening verses above show, the prophet Jeremiah was torn by this as well (Jeremiah 8:21-22). He did not coldly deliver God’s message to Judah without any feeling. Instead, he agonizes over delivering God’s Word because he loves his people Judah; but he also loves God.

God had also agonized over Judah. He loved her. That is why He sent Jeremiah to prophecy to her. He wanted to heal them from their hurt caused by their own sins. However, things were so bad in the land that God could not find anyone who sought righteousness. He tells Jeremiah, “"Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places If you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her” (Jeremiah 5:1). God’s people had given themselves over to wickedness to such an extent they no longer felt any shame for their sin: “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. ‘Therefore, they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 6:13-15).

As God reached out to them through prophets such as Jeremiah, they rejected God’s pleadings to them to return to his paths so they could find the rest he desired to give them. “Thus, says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls’. But they said, 'We will not walk in it'” (Jeremiah 6:16). God’s people were determined as a war horse rushing into battle to continue in their evil ways. Jeremiah wrote, “I listened and heard, but they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, saying, 'What have I done?' Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rushes into the battle (Jeremiah 8:6).

As powerful as God is, He is not powerful enough to heal someone who rejects His efforts to heal them! God gave man the freedom of choice. Man can use that freedom to accept God’s embrace as God reaches out to the man struggling with the guilt and weight of sin; but man can also use his power of choice to push God away as he stubbornly rushes headlong to the destructive results of his own sin. Jeremiah’s heartbreak over seeing his people use their freedom of choice to reject God is a powerful reminder to us today of how stubbornly rebellious we can be towards God.

Today, I recognize that I too must be careful not to stubbornly resist God. I will strive to embrace God’s effort to heal me of my sin. As I reach out to others who are struggling with sin, I recognize the reason there is no recovery for the spiritual health of some people is because each of us retains the power of choice. There is still God’s healing balm in Gilead! The Great Physician is still at work!

“When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” ‘For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance’” (Matthew 9:12-13).

8/14/21 “I Will Heal Your Backslidings” (Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 1-4)

“A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the Lord their God. ‘Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.’ ‘Indeed, we do come to You, for You are the Lord our God’” (Jeremiah 3:21-22).

Jeremiah is known as “the weeping prophet”. He prophesies to the people of Judah during the last days of Judah as it is about to go into Babylonian captivity because of her sins and rebellion against God. He is a heartbroken prophet with a heartbreaking message. Despised and persecuted by his countrymen, Jeremiah bathes his harsh prophecies in tears of compassion.

As Jeremiah begins prophesying to the southern kingdom of Judah, the northern kingdom of Israel had already gone into Assyrian captivity because of her sins. Unfortunately, Judah refused to learn from seeing the northern kingdom of Israel go into Assyrian captivity that awful judgment awaits those who persist in rebelling against the Lord. Yet, as the opening verses above show, through Jeremiah, God calls out to the northern kingdom with an offer to “heal your backslidings”.

What were their “backslidings”? They had forsaken God and began to follow the other nations and engaged in trusting in idols. Through Jeremiah, God said, “‘For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, send to Kedar and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate,’ says the Lord. ‘For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water’” (Jeremiah 2:10-13).

Forsaking God’s fountain of endless living waters and hewing out cisterns which are broken and do not hold water is something many of us, who call ourselves God’s people, still struggle with doing today. Satan tempts us to forsake trusting in God as our source of life and encourages us to begin trusting in wealth, physical beauty and strength, education and our own abilities, or even other people. These are the idols the devil tempts us to trust in today. However, they are broken cisterns that hold no water. Wealth runs out. Beauty fades away. Strength grows weak. Others let us down.

Yet, in spite of His people’s failures and backslidings, God reaches out to them, “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings”. To the northern kingdom’s credit, Israel is pictured as responding, “Indeed we do come to You, for You are the Lord our God” (Jeremiah 3:22).

As I contemplate God’s message to the northern kingdom of Israel and his offer to heal their backslidings, I am reminded of God’s incredible faithfulness to His people and His offer to heal our backslidings today. It is a great challenge to remain faithful to God when Satan is constantly seeking to devour us. It is difficult to continue to resist him by remaining steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-9). Because of this, backsliding is far too common among God’s people today. However, God’s plea to “heal your backslidings” is still made to us today as it was to Israel in Jeremiah’s day. Today, I acknowledge my struggle with sin and realize how easy it is for me to backslide, but I rejoice that God still loves me and is the One who can heal me when I fall!

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

8/13/21 “Trembling at God’s Word” (Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 63-66)

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word’” (Isaiah 66:1-2).

Throughout the book of Isaiah, God expresses His frustration with His people Israel, because of their rebellious attitude towards Him: “I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts; a people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; who sacrifice in gardens, and burn incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves, and spend the night in the tombs; who eat swine's flesh, and the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; who say, 'Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!' These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day” (Isaiah 65:2-5).

As a result of such a rebellious attitude towards His Word among His own people, God’s judgment was coming upon them, just as He had warned them throughout His Word which He communicated to them through His faithful prophets such as Isaiah. However, as the opening verses indicate, God would spare those in Israel who had a “poor and contrite spirit” and who trembled at His Word (Psalm 66:1-2). To these faithful souls God said, ““Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: ‘Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name's sake, said, “Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy.” But they shall be ashamed.’ The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the Lord, Who fully repays His enemies” (Isaiah 66:5-6)!

As I consider these verses from the prophet Isaiah, it reminds me of the profound respect God expects us to show Him regarding His Word. God’s message to us, as revealed in the Scriptures, is not something which is to be taken lightly. After all, we are going to be judged based on whether or not we followed His Word: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books” (Revelation 20:12). Jesus Himself said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

Do I tremble at God’s Word or do I treat it lightly? Note the psalmist attitude towards the Scriptures, “My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments” (Psalm 119:120). In addition, does it bother me when those around me rebel at God’s Word or have I become comfortable and cozy with the sinful behavior of others? Again, the psalmist wrote, “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law” (Psalm 119:136). Furthermore, the psalmist adds, “I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, because they do not keep Your word” (Psalm 119:158).

I am not suggesting that we should spend all of our time in judgment of others. God will take care of that in the last day. However, our hearts need to be pricked when we see God’s Word not being heeded not only by others, but especially by ourselves. Today, I rejoice in the guidance God gives me through His Word. I am blessed to live in an age where I can have my own copy of the Scriptures. As I study the Bible and God’s message to me, I will tremble at His Word!

“I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 119:63-64).