Thurs.’s Devo - Stand in Truth

Read: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8 Many of the wives of the kings of Judah and Israel came from other countries and brought their idolatry with them. They offered incense and offerings to the Queen of Heaven and their husbands knew it. They did nothing to stop them and many agreed with their wives. Since their hearts were set on idolatry God told them to not use his name in their vows. He was bringing them disaster and not good. They would suffer war and famine and only a small remnant would survive and return to Judah. *** Proof that God was serious would be that the Pharaoh Hophra would be turned over to his enemies just like Zedekiah was turned over to Nebuchadnezzar. *** Chapter 45 goes back in time to 14 years before Jerusalem was taken to the Babylonians. Baruch had been Jeremiah’s scribe who wrote down his prophecies. The words he had to write overwhelmed him and he asked why God continued to bring them trouble upon trouble. God had a word for him. God would uproot what he planted in this nation and bring disaster upon all the people, but he will give him his life as a reward for what he did for him. No matter where Baruch went, his life would be preserved. *** Chapter 46 is written in the same time period as Chapter 45. Pharaoh Nero and Nebuchadnezzar fought at Carchemish and the Babylonians won. The bravest soldiers of Egypt fled in terror. Many couldn’t escape. Egypt had boasted it would take over the whole earth, but was greatly defeated. Egypt had never been under the yoke of another nation but that was about to change. They ran home in shame. Jeremiah told them to pack their bags because they were about to be taken into exile. None of Egypt’s gods would be able to save her. They were all about to be disgraced. *** Jeremiah adds hope to Judah and Israel. They will be brought home again from the distant lands they are taken into. *** The Philistines will also be destroyed along with Tyre and Sidon and all the colonies from the island of Crete. Gaza, Ashkelon and those on the coast will all be destroyed. *** Paul told Timothy to run from all things that tempted his youthful lusts and purse righteousness, faithfulness, love and peace. Make friends with those who have pure hearts toward God. *** Paul warns Timothy over and over not to get into arguments with these people who oppose him but to be gentle and patient with them. Maybe his kindness will sway them over to the truth. *** Paul talks of the difficulty of the last days. People will love themselves and their money and become boastful and proud. They will scoff at God and disobey their parents and be ungrateful. They will live godless lives and reject the power of God that could make them godly. These are the kinds of people Paul warned Timothy to stay away from. Their teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and their faith is not real. *** Paul was the example to Timothy of a godly life. He endured all kinds of persecution for the sake of the gospel. Timothy had been taught the scriptures from an early age which prepared him to receive the truth in Christ Jesus. *** All scripture is given to convict us, and correct us. It prepares us and equips us to do the work we have been called to do. *** Lord, may we walk in godliness and truth. May we recognize the wiles of Satan and not be fooled by his deceit. May we walk in confidence of the things we read in your Word so that we might be able to stand in the days of trouble.