Mon.’s Devo - Jesus’ Return

Read: Jeremiah 16:16-18:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 25:6-8 God was sending fishermen and hunters to catch his people who might try to hide from their captors. Punishment was coming because the people defile his land with images of their detestable gods and filled the land with their evil deeds. All of their wealth would be given as plunder to their enemies. The wonderful land and promises God had for them will slip through their hands and they will not get to receive them. Amidst the people who worshipped idols and turned from the Lord were a small remnant of those who trusted in the Lord. They would be like trees planted by the river with deep roots into the Lord. They would not be worried by the heat of trials, the long months of nothing happening and during their trials they would not stop producing fruit. God is the one who searches the hearts of people and gives everyone what they deserve whether it is punishment or reward. Jeremiah prayed for God to defend him against the people who were persecuting him for his words from the Lord about the coming judgement. The Lord told him to go and stand in the gates where the king went in and out and tell them to stop carrying on their that on the Sabbath day. If they would stop, then their kings and officials would go in and out of these gates forever and they would always have a descendant of David sitting on the throne in Jerusalem. If they refuse to listen and obey then God would burn the gates down with fire. The fire would spread to the palace and no one would be able to put them out. God gave Jeremiah another assignment to go to the potter’s shop and observe him working on the wheel. When the clay didn’t conform like the potter wanted, he would start over. The clay was like them in the hands of the Lord. If he wanted to destroy them, he would and if he wanted to rebuild them he would. God told Jeremiah to tell the people that if the Lord announces that he is going to tear down a nation and that nation repents, He will not tear it down but if the Lord says he is going to build up a certain nation and it turns to evil, God will change his mind and destroy it. God was planning to destroy Israel if they didn’t turn from their evil ways. The people gave their response: we will continue to live like we want to and follow our evil desires. Even God was appalled at their answer. Then the people plotted to stop Jeremiah from being able to continue to tell them the words of the Lord. They decided to spread rumors about him and ignore what he said. Jeremiah told God what they were planing. Jeremiah warned them for their good but he was done protecting them. He was ready to see them reap their sowing. In Thessalonians, Paul drives in the teaching of loving each other. He speaks against sexual sin and cheating and abusive behavior. He told them to make it their goal to live a quiet life minding their own business and working with their hands. Their lifestyles should be an example to the unbelievers causing them to respect them. He explained to them that they didn’t need to grieve like the ones who had no hope. Believers resurrect just like Jesus did. One day, the Lord will return and the ones who have died will meet him ahead of those who have died. Jesus will come with a shout, the angels and the trumpet of God. Then the dead and the living will rise in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. We will be with him forever. This will happen unexpectedly when everything is peaceful and secure. Disaster will come suddenly and there will be no escape for the wicked. Lord, thank you for your Word. May we be like Jeremiah who was not afraid to speak the truth in spite of how he was treated. He trusted in you. We trust in You.