Fri.’s Devo- The Coming Judgment

Read: Jeremiah 14:11-16:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 25:1-5 God told Jeremiah to give up on the people and stop praying for them. God had determined to bring war, famine and disease on them. Jeremiah reported to God that their prophets were telling them the opposite. God said he didn’t send them or tell them that news and what they were saying was foolish lies. They would die by the war, famine and disease. Their own wickedness would be poured out on them. *** God told Jeremiah to tell them what he sees: bodies in the field killed in war, and bodies in the streets who died of starvation. God was the only one who could help them, but he was not responding. *** God said even Moses or Samuel would not be able to pray them out of the trouble they were in. God had destined some to death, some to war, some to famine and some to captivity. They were reaping the sins of Manasseh who led the nation into the worship of horrible idols. Israel would become a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth. *** God was weary of giving them more chances and them not taking them. He would take away the children first, then the men and lastly the mothers. But, God promised to take care of Jeremiah. His enemies would end up asking him to pray for them when they were in distress. *** Jeremiah pleaded for his own life reminding God of his faithfulness. God promised him that if he continued to serve him and speak his words to the people, he would not be conquered, but God would protect and rescue him from the cruel hands of wicked men. God also told him not to get married or have children in Jerusalem. When people started dying he was not to go to their funerals or show sadness. He was not to go to their parties or have meals with them. This was not a time of joy, but a time to mourn their sins. *** When the people ask why all these terrible things have happened to them, he was to tell them they had abandoned the Lord even greater than their ancestors did. They are being thrown out of the land God gave them and sent to foreign land where they can worship their gods all they want to. But, a time will come when God will bring them back to their land. *** In Thessalonians, Paul tells how he toiled to earn a living so he wouldn’t have to ask them for financial support. He loved and treated them as a father would love his own family. He taught them how to live their lives worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice. *** Paul knows that they were suffering at the hands of their own people. These were the same people who crucified Christ. When Paul heard of their persecutions he sent Timothy to find out how they were doing. He reported back to Paul that their love and faith was strong. This made Paul so happy and relieved. It brought him new strength to learn how they were growing and thriving in the midst of hard times. *** Lord may our love for you and others overflow that others might come to your salvation. May we be an example of how to trust God in the midst of our trials and tribulations. Thank you for strength and power to endure.