Sun.’s Devo - In the Midst of Trials, There is Hope

Read: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14
God told Jeremiah to go tell the king that if he would do what was just and right toward the oppressed and sentence the robber, treat the alien with respect, take care of the widow and the orphan and stop shedding innocent blood then they would continue to live in prosperity. The city of Jerusalem would enjoy many kings. But if the king didn’t listen and change then the palace would become a ruin. All the nice buildings and fine living they were enjoying would come to an end and be destroyed. Other nations would look on this city and talk about how God destroyed it because they forsook him.
Jehoahaz, Josiah’s son had already been taken into exile and he would never return. The king used slave labor to build his palace that he was enjoying, but a fine building does not make a king. A king takes care of his people and is just and right, but the king of Judah did none of these good things. Jehoiakim, the king, would not be mourned when he died because the people did not love or honor him. His son, Jehoiachin would also be taken into exile and not return.
God would punish the shepherds who should have taken care of his people and taught them the truth. They should have been the spiritual leaders but instead they led Judah into idolatry. They would be replaced by shepherds who would lead righteously and bring the people back to Jerusalem and back to him. One day, the great Shepherd, Jesus would come and save Israel and Judah and be called the Lord Our Righteousness.
The prophets would be judged also because they used their power unjustly and prophesied lies. The prophets of Samaria in Israel prophesied by Baal but the prophets of Judah committed spiritual adultery and lived a lie. They spoke words of false hope and prosperity and kept the people from repenting. Their job was to warn the people but they put the people to sleep spiritually.
The Bible was written for every time period and these verses in Thessalonians are written especially for those who were being persecuted then and those who would come to faith after the rapture. It was to encourage them that God would judge those who were persecuting them and give them relief. It reminded them that they were not alone and those of the faith that were watching them boasted of their faith and perseverance. One day, Jesus would come in majesty and rescue them and it would be worth it all. God is worthy of any and all the persecution we go through.
Lord we pray that you count us worthy of your calling and that you would be glorified in our lives today.