Tues.’s Devo - God’s Promises

Read: Jeremiah 23:21-25:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 25:15 God had a word of rebuke for the false prophets who made up their prophecies and dreams claiming they were God’s dreams and prophecies. They caused the people to sin even more instead of turning them back to the Lord. *** King Nebuchadnezzar had exiled Jehoiachin to Babylon. Jehoiachin had been placed on the throne by the king of Babylon when his father died. He only reigned 3 months and ten days. Those days were marked with evil so the king of Babylon changed his mind about him and carried him off to Babylon. Jehoiachin was only 18 years old at the time. Three months later Jerusalem fell and Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah was appointed to succeed him. *** Jehoiachin was placed in the royal prison in Babylon. At 18, Jehoiachin had five sons! When Nebuchadnezzar died and was replaced by Evil-Meridach. This new king showed special favor to Jehoiachin and had him taken from prison and moved to the royal palace. Jehoiachin’s oldest son was Shealtiel who became the father of Zerubbable. Zerubbable became one of the leaders who came back to Jerusalem and helped lay the foundation for the Temple. *** Back to our story… Once Jehoiachin left for Babylon, Jeremiah was given a vision of two baskets of figs. One basket had ripe figs and the other was filled with rotten figs. The good figs represented the people God sent to Babylon. God would watch over them and change their hearts and bring them back. The bad figs represent the ones left in Jerusalem and those sent to Egypt who would be a curse. Disaster would follow them wherever they went. *** Jeremiah began prophesying in the 13th year of Josiah’s reign and was still giving them words now, but they had not listened to them or heeded his warnings. They refused to give up their idols so their happy life would end. Their land would become a wasteland for 70 years. Then, God would punish Babylon like he punished all the other nations by them. Judgment would come to the whole earth because of God’s anger. *** In Thessalonians, Paul told them that the Lord would not return until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness was revealed. He would sit in the Temple and claim to be God. But, not to worry, the Lord Jesus will destroy him with his breath and with his coming. *** This man will have supernatural power to do signs and miracles but it will be a counterfeit of God’s miracles. He will use his power to deceive those who are destined for destruction. But, we have been destined for salvation and we will be saved. We will stand firm in our faith. *** Lord, may you comfort us and give us hope and strength in everything we do and say.