Sun.’s Devo - Jeremiah’s Commission to Judah

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20 Jeremiah prophesied during the lives of the last four kings of Judah. Jeremiah was a priest who was called at a young age to speak to Judah and warn them of the judgement that was coming because of their rebellion against God. He began prophesying during the thirteenth year of Josiah’s reign. Five years later, Josiah’s men who he had commissioned to repair the Temple of the Lord found a copy of the law. When it was read to Josiah, he began a huge move of repentance for the nation. They reestablished Passover and did a sweeping cleaning out of the idolatrous priests and the idols in the nation. Josiah could legislate morality but he couldn’t cleanse their hearts or take from them the desire to worship other gods. Jeremiah was sent to deal with this issue of their hearts. Judah had made alliances with both Egypt and Assyria but they should have kept that gold and made their alliance with the Lord because he was the only one who could save them. God said that they exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. The heavens were shocked at such a thing and shrunk back in horror and dismay. He said they had done two evils. They had abandoned the fountain of living water and dug their own cisterns that are cracked and couldn’t hold a thing. In other words they had lost the Holy Spirit in their lives. They had abandoned God’s presence and invoked the presence of empty gods. God had done so much for them yet they refused to serve him or honor him. God said that Israel was like a thief who only felt shame when he was caught. They blamed God for their calamity when they had brought it upon themselves. They killed God’s prophets because they didn’t want to hear their messages to repent. No wonder Jeremiah was afraid to become a voice to these people. God promised him He would take care of him and protect him. In Philippians, Paul thanks the Church in Philippi again for the financial gift he sent them. It did bless him and help meet his needs but his greatest joy came from knowing them were walking with the Lord and prospering in their soul. Paul had learned through all his trials that Jesus was all he really needed. He had learned how to be joyful no matter what his circumstance was. Paul gave them the secret to his joy. He told them to fix their thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Practice training your minds to think of the good instead of the evil and it will strengthen you to face whatever you have to face. Lord, we pray for a movement of the Holy Spirit across our land. May the hearts of people be touched and changed. You promised to pour out your Spirit on all flesh in the last days. We pray for this!