Wed.’s Devo - Living For Eternity

Read: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24 Jeremiah was still a prisoner in the palace prison when the Lord gave him this message. He saw them tearing down their houses to strengthen the walls to keep the Babylonians out. Jeremiah told them that this was all in vain because God had determined to give their city to the Babylonians because of all their wickedness. The time would come when they would rebuild the city and God would prosper Israel once again. Jeremiah saw the streets empty filled with people and singing. It was desolate and full of mourning. A righteous descendant of David would rise up and do what is just and right in the land. Judah will be saved and Jerusalem would be safe. He would reign forever on God’s throne and have Levitical priests to burn offerings and give sacrifices to Him. King Zedekiah had told the Israelites to free their fellow Hebrew slaves years ago and they had obeyed at first, but they had changed their minds and taken them back, forcing them to be slaves again. Because they did this, they would be set free only to be destroyed by war, disease and famine. They broke their oath with the Lord and he would break his with them. God would hand Zedekiah over to the Babylonians. Judah’s officials would be taken by their army. The Babylonian army had been called away but they would return and burn it down and take them captive. In Timothy, the Holy Spirit told them what would happen in the last days. Many would be deceived by the teachings of demons. These teachers will say it’s wrong to be married or to eat certain foods. God made the food and we should give him thanks and enjoy it. The devil loves to get us distracted with extremes. Our goal should be training in godliness that benefits our lives and causes a blessing in the life to come. He encouraged Timothy to use the gift that he had received when they laid hands on him and prayed for him. He reminded Timothy to keep Jesus as the goal as he lived his life. There is salvation in on other than Jesus. Lord, let that be our goal. May we live with eternity in mind instead of the silly things of the world. May your name be honored in our hearts and in our nation.