Wed.’s Devo - Judgment Vs. Trials

Read: Jer. 26:1-27:22; 2 Thes. 3:1-18; Ps. 85:1-13; Pr. 25:16 One thing that hits me about Jeremiah is how many times he prophesied the same thing. It just shows us the long-suffering character of God and that he doesn’t want any to perish without Him. How loving is our God! Today we see Jeremiah prophesying in the temple for the people to turn to God or suffer His judgment. The princes and leaders were there listening and so were the prophets. The prophets wanted to kill Jeremiah for his words but the princes believed Jeremiah. The elders stood up for Jeremiah and reminded the people of other prophets like Micah and Urijah who prophesied the same thing. King Hezekiah repented when he heard Micah’s words but King Jehoiakim tried to kill Urijah. He hunted Urijah down and planned to kill him but the people stood up for him and spared his life. In Chapter 27, Jeremiah pleads with the people to allow the king of Babylon to rule over them because this is God’s will. Those who appose him will be killed. The prophets of the land were saying the opposite. This is so true. The prophets of the land will never prophesy the truth because their source is wrong. God has his prophets everywhere and they are the ones we listen to for direction and hope. Paul reminds the people that trials and persecutions are going to come, but don’t let them cause you to falter. Trials are not the same as judgment. What the people were facing in Jerimiah was judgment for their rebellion, what we face as Christians is trials for our faith. They are to make us increase and abound in love toward one another and all men. In the end they are to establish our hearts in holiness to God. We are free from judgment. Everything in our lives works toward our good! Lord, thank you for your salvation and grace that comforts and strengthens us.