Tues.’s Devo - God’s Judgment on the Other Nations of the World

Read: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16 God had a message to the city of Damascus, the capital of Syria. In the reign of Solomon, God had raised up an adversary against him because Solomon had gone after other gods. This adversary, Razon had revolted from Hadadezer, his leader and fled to Damascus. Razon settled there where he was made their leader king. There was a long war, with varying success, between the Israelites and Syrians, who at a later time became allies of Israel against Judah. The cities of Syria were hearing rumors of the coming Assyrians and were fainting in fear. Damascus was known for its beauty and fame and would now be destroyed. God warned the ones who were nomads and lived in tents to flee to the desert or they would be destroyed also. Elam was another name for Persia. They had helped Nebuchadnezzar fight against Judah and now it was their time to be punished. But, they would have their fortunes restored in days to come. Concerning Babylon…it would fall. God wanted the whole world to know this. Her gods of Bel and Marduk would be destroyed. Bel and Marduk are other names for Baal, the chief of all false gods. This is the god America and the world is fighting right now. God said that these gods would be utterly disgraced. Babylon would be totally disgraced and no one would live in her again. The people of Israel would return home with the people of Judah. The would come humbly seeking the Lord as their God. They would bind themselves to the Lord with an eternal covenant that would never be forgotten. When the time came to return, they would hear God tell them to flee and leave the land of Babylon. The surrounding nations would attack Babylon and her walls would fall. The Lord would take out his vengeance upon her. What she did to others would turn back on her. The time would come for God to redeem Israel and Judah for all the wrong the Babylonians had done to them. He would defend them and give them rest again in Israel. Jeremiah ends his message with: the earth will shake with the news that Babylon has been taken and their cry of despair will be heard around the world. May this be for the Cabal! Titus, like Timothy was a young convert of Paul’s. He had been put in leadership and under Paul’s mentorship. There are three themes to the letter to Titus: church organization, sound doctrine and holy living. All of these are important to God. He describes the lifestyle of people that should be appointed as leaders: blameless, faithful husbands, not wild or rebellious, not sick-tempered or violent or dishonest. He must be hospitable, wide, use and disciplined in his life. He must have sound teaching. People are known for the way they live their lives. Lord, may we live our lives as examples of how life should be lived as a disciple of Christ. May we allow you to live through us with your grace and love.