Wed.’s Devo - Thoroughly Equipped

Read: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8
Jeremiah and God had lost their patience with the people who were bent on keeping their vows to the Queen of Heaven and their other false gods. God swore to them that all who went to Egypt would regret it and very few would live to return to the land. They were warned and given ample chances to repent but refused to listen, so they would get what they deserved.
God never forgets the faithful. Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe that had written the prophecy and taken it to Jehoiakim. Baruch had cried out in pain for the destruction that was going to come on his people so God promised that Baruch would escape and be saved. Once again, God never forsakes his faithful.
As for Egypt, she was about to be brought down. She had been proud and the great power in the earth, but Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was going to defeat her and become the next great power in the earth. Pharaoh Necho had lost his opportunity to repent. God was bringing judgement against the god’s of Egypt once again, especially Ra which was the god of Amon. It was represented with the head of a ram and the body of a man. After the time of judgment is over, Egypt would be inhabited once again and so would the land of Israel.
God also pronounced judgment against the Philistine cities of Gaza and Ashkelon and the cities on the coast for their great sins.
Paul warned his disciples also to flee their enemies. Their enemies weren’t the Babylonians, but they were their own evil desires. One of their temptations was to argue their faith instead of choosing love and peace. Paul described the last days where people would love themselves so much they would not be able to reason or think straight. Instead they would be irrational, proud, conceited and love pleasure more than loving God.
Paul brought them back to the basics which is faith, patience, love, and endurance. He reminded them that persecution is part of living a godly life. If we continue in the faith we will not be disappointed.
Paul added one of my favorite scriptures which is: “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If we continue walking out the Word, we will be able to do all God has called us to do.
Lord, may we walk thoroughly equipped for what you have for us today.