Read: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2
It finally happened just as Jeremiah prophesied. Jerusalem was besieged for over a year then finally taken by the Babylonians. Jeremiah was saved and so was Ebed-Melech the one that had drawn Jeremiah from the well. King Hezekiah and his men were killed trying to escape. Most of the people were taken to Babylon but the poor and weak were left to tend the land and the vineyards. Gedaliah, a common man was selected by the king of Babylon to be their king.
All was well for a while and the people who stayed prospered. There was a man of royal birth named Ishmael who thought he should be king so he came and killed Gedaliah and took his people captive. Another man named Jonathan heard of what Ishmael did and he came and killed Ishmael and his officers and took the rest of the people with him to Egypt to save them from the wrath of the Babylonians.
Paul wrote a second letter to Timothy telling him how proud he was of him and reminiscing about his grandmother Eunice who had been such a woman of faith. He reminded Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God which was prayed over him. God does not want us to be timid but have power, love and a sound mind. Never by ashamed to testify about the Lord and what he has done. Paul reminds him that they are living for a day yet ahead and they can’t measure it by this life right now.
How true that is. The gospel is a hope grounded in faith that there is a better future prepared for us. We walk through tribulation and hard times now but it will all be worth it. It is even better when we enjoy the journey getting there.
Lord, may we fan into flame the gifts you have put in us.
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