Mon.’s Devo - Judgment Day

Read: Jer. 35:1-36:32; 1 Tim. 5:1-25; Ps. 89:14-37; Pr. 25:25-27 In chapter 35, Jeremiah calls the sons of the house of the Rechabites into the house of the Lord and offers them wine. They refused because they had been commanded by their father, Jonadab, not to drink wine and to be a nomad. Jeremiah is making the point that these people will obey an earthly father who can’t do for them what God can do for the Israelites, but still they honored him. Israel has a much better father who is all powerful and mighty and yet Israel refused to obey him. Since Israel had forsaken God, God was turning them over to the Babylonians. Israel still refused to turn to God so Jeremiah, still in prison, asked Baruch to write down his prophecy and take it to king Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim was a bad king who refused to humble himself and obey God. When Jehoiakim got the message he had it read to him and cut up in little pieces and thrown into the fire even though his attendants begged him not to. Jeremiah was commanded to rewrite it with a personal rebuke to the king. First Timothy gives us some practical advise. Verse 24 stuck out to me which says, “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” I’ve heard a wise man say that he prays that God will judge him while here on earth so he won’t have to be judged after. The next verse tells us that our good works that aren’t seen on earth will also go on to heaven. I believe that God in his mercy judges his children here on earth which is why we don’t get away with anything. The blood of Jesus covers us from eternal judgment. But that is not the case for the non-Christian. It might look like he is getting away with all kinds of evil but he will have to hear his evil works spoken out loud before all creation on Judgment Day. It is better to be disciplined here than judged later. Lord, thank you that your mercy knows no bounds. You are so good to us and long-suffering.