Sun.’s Devo - God is Always the God of Hope

Read: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24 Jeremiah was in prison for his prophesies, but God kept giving him messages. God reminded them that they had had to tear down their houses and the kings palace to strengthen the wall against Babylon’s siege ramps. But, all their efforts would be in vain. They were destined for destruction by God and they could not win against him. *** But, God always gives hope. He would bring them back and forgive their sins. Laughter and joy would fill the streets of Jerusalem once again. Sacrifices and offering would be given in this city in the future. Jerusalem would prosper and be inhabited. David would have a descendant to sit on the throne forever. God would always have priests who minister before him. *** God did sit his son on the throne to rule forever and he will always have believers as his priestly nation who love and daily give their lives as a sacrifice to him. *** The people were saying that God had abandoned them and they were not worthy to be a nation. God said he would never abandon his people. They would be restored to their land. *** When King Nebuchadnezzar returned to fight Jerusalem, Jeremiah sent a word to Zedekiah that God was going to turn the city over to the Babylonians. King Zedekiah would be taken to Babylon to face the king. He would die peacefully and be honored by his people. *** King Zedekiah had ordered all the Jewish slaves to be set free, but after a while they had been enslaved again. Jeremiah said this was against God’s will. They were never to enslave their fellow Jew. Since they had not obeyed him by setting their brothers and sisters free, he would set them free to be destroyed by war, disease and famine. *** In Timothy, Paul warned them of deceptive teachings that taught it was wrong to get married or eat certain foods. God created marriage and food and it is all good. Godliness is our goal. *** Paul encouraged Timothy that it wasn’t his age that mattered, it was the maturity he walked in that was important to God. He told him not to neglect the spiritual gift within himself but to attentively nourish it. Watch how he lived and stay true to what was right and led to life. *** Lord, may the way we live, our love, faith, and purity be what guides us and is a witnesses of who you are.