Wed.’s Devo - A Cry of Warning

Read: Jeremiah 8:8-9:26; Colossians 3:1-17; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 24:27 Chapters 7-9 of Jeremiah took place during some public festival. Josiah had died and Jehoiakim had taken his place. Jehoiakim led his nation into rebellion and idolatry and the fall of Shiloah was a picture of what was coming. Jeremiah had stood in the midst of the crowd and given these words. He told them that having the word of the Lord wouldn’t save them because they didn’t read it or have understanding teachers to teach it. They had rejected it and now they would lose everything they had so worked to get. The leaders had lied to the people with the promise of peace and favor when instead, they would see destruction and terror. In his spirit, Jeremiah could hear the snorting of the warhorses on their way to Jerusalem. The people were oblivious to what was going on. They continued feasting and partying while their demise had been ordered in heaven. From heaven, God was calling for the mourners to come and lament what was about to happen. Nineveh did, and God repented when He was about to destroy it. But, Jerusalem continued to close their hearts and continued to boast in their own wisdom and power. God compared them to the Egyptians, Edomites, Amonites, and Moabites whose hearts were far from being circumcised. Paul had the same sermon that Jeremiah had. He encouraged his people to have God’s perspective and not the earth’s. Paul was dealing with the same sins in the church as Jeremiah was dealing with in Jerusalem. Paul urged them to turn away from their sinful lives and choose forgiveness and love. They were all one body so they should live in peace with one another. They should be singing with thankful hearts and counseling one another as representatives of Christ. Lord, help us to do these very things so we can be a healthy body fit for your service.