Sat.’s Devo - Fearless Conviction

Read: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27
Jehoiakim died and his son, Jehoachin ruled until he was replaced by Nebuchadnezzar with Zedekiah. Zedekiah didn’t repent either but he did have more respect for Jeremiah than his predecessors. He allowed Jeremiah freedom to come and go among the people. Reports that the Egyptians were coming to help them caused the Babylonians to stop besieging Jerusalem. But, Jeremiah assured them it was only false hope because they would return and burn Jerusalem to the ground.
Jeremiah tried to return to his hometown when the Babylonians left but was arrested for desertion and put in the deepest dungeon. When King Zedekiah heard about his he had him brought to the palace so he could ask him privately if there was any word from the Lord. Jeremiah told him, “yes, he would be handed over to the the Babylonians.” Then Jeremiah plead for his own cause and wanted to know why he was being treated like a criminal when he had done nothing wrong. The king let Jeremiah free and ordered him fed until they ran out of food.
Jeremiah continued warning the people that if they stayed in Jerusalem they would die but if they gave in to the Babylonians they would live. This made the officers of the army mad because it brought down the morale of the men fighting. The king allowed them to do whatever they wanted to Jeremiah so they lowered him with ropes into a well. Ebed-Melech reported to the king what they had done and was allowed to lift Jeremiah out of the well where he was set free again.
King Zedekiah sent for him and listened to what he said. He made Jeremiah promise not to tell anyone about their conversation.
Zedekiah had to be a tormented person. He sought the truth but didn’t have the guts to act on it. He had to be envious of Jeremiah’s fearless conviction.
In Timothy, there were people who were slaves and he told them to respect their masters and be an example of Christ. He warns against false prophets who don’t give sound advise and are conceited and don’t understand the ways of God. They love to argue and their words provoke envy, strife, hatred and disunity. They use their ministry to get rich. We are to be content in what we have and in following Christ. We shouldn’t expect to get paid for doing what is right. We are to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith love, endurance and gentleness.
Lord, help us to have the courage to act on your Word and face our fears trusting in you. May we have fearless convictions.