Thurs.’s Devo - On Earth as it is in Heaven

Read: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14 God had wanted his people to be his representatives on earth and his kingdom on earth - Israel to look like the Kingdom of Heaven. The kings were suppose to be just and righteous like God to encourage the people to love God. Instead the kings had become wicked and self-serving. They wanted to be worshiped as God. They led the people into idolatry instead of righteousness. Jeremiah was told to go and speak to the king of Judah directly which at that time was Jehoahaz, but his message was also for the next three kings: Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. God told Jehoahaz to stop ruling unjustly and killing the innocent. If he didn’t, God would destroy his land and remove him from his land. He told the people to stop mourning their dead king, Josiah and weep instead for Jehoahaz who will be led away captive and never see his land again. In other words he was saying to the people to stop mourning the past, but to discern their future because it wasn’t looking too good. Jehoiakim was chastised for building his kingdom on forced labor. What good is a big beautiful palace if its just going to be burned down and he would never enjoy it. The people wouldn’t weep or mourn from him when he was killed. Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin would be turned over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and be taken to a foreign land. None of his sons would be king. All the people would be scattered but the day would come back to the land. God would raise up a righteous descendant of David who would rule with wisdom, justice and righteousness. One day, the people of Israel would refer not to the day God delivered them through Moses but to the time God brought them back to their own land. Jeremiah mourned the false prophets who God cursed. They abused the power they had and did much evil. The priests were also ungodly men who did despicable acts in the Temple. God had judged Samaria’s false prophets of Baal who led Israel into sin and now Judah’s prophets had done worse. They promised Judah that peace was coming to them. They gave the people a false sense of security so they felt no need to repent or change. They would find out for themselves when the words of Jeremiah begin to be fulfilled. But, it would be too late for the people to change it. The second letter to the church of Thessalonica was sent by Paul, Silas and Timothy. They commended the church for their faith and love for God and one another. They had faithfully endured persecutions and hardships with grace and faith. God would justify their suffering and pay back their enemies. They prayed rest for them and reminded them of Gods fiery judgment that would come in the end. They continued to pray for them the they would live a life worthy of his call and that they would be given power to complete the things God prompted them to do. Lord, with your grace, allow us to accomplish all you have called us to do. May we see our present suffering as a test to qualify us for future work in your kingdom. May your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.