Sat.’s Devo - Jeremiah’s Calling

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20

Jeremiah was the son of a priest in Anathoth which was in Benjamin. He began prophesying in the 13th year of Josiah’s reign and prophesied until the end of the last king, Zedekiah. Josiah was the last good king who had tried to turn the nation back to God, unsuccessfully. He was followed by his sons who were not the godly leader he was.

Jeremiah was just a youth when God called him and he tried to talk God out of his calling. But, when God put his words inside Jeremiah and touched his mouth, Jeremiah was compelled to say them. He was to be a prophet for the nations - to root out and destroy some, and to build up and plant others. He was commanded not to marry or have children to illustrate his message that Judah’s judgment was imminent. and the next generation would be swept away. His closes friend was his scribe Baruch who wrote all his words down for him. 

His first vision was of the branch of an almond tree. It was to illustrate that God was ready to perform his word. The next thing he saw was a boiling pot. It was to show that the nation to the north was coming to destroy all the cities of Judah for their wickedness and their idolatry. 

God told Jeremiah to prepare to meet the opposition of the kings, princes, priests and the people. He was not to be afraid, because God would protect him and they would not be able to destroy him.

Jeremiah was to remind the people of how they began their journey with the Lord. They had been a holy nation and his first fruit, but they had become defiled and now disaster would come upon them. 

God asked them how had he been unjust to them. They had left him and followed after idols and gods from Egypt. He had brought them into a wonderful land full of blessings and fruitfulness, yet they had defiled it with their abominations and their worship of Baal. God asked them if they had ever seen other nations change who they worshiped. But, Israel had done that. They had exchanged him for the gods of the nations around them. All it got them was destruction, lack and emptiness. When they cry out for the Lord to save them he is going to ask why their gods they chose could’t save them. 

Paul tells the people in Phillipi to rejoice in the Lord and not anxious about anything. God is with them and all they have to do is pray and ask him to supply what they need. He will give them peace that will be a guard about their minds and their hearts.

Paul told them to think on the good things and not the bad. Put into practice the things he had taught them and they will experience God’s peace. Paul had learned that God will strengthen you and give you his peace through all his trials he went through. He learned that God will supply every need we have according to his riches in heaven. You can’t ask for more than that!

Lord, thank you for your strength and joy you give us in the midst of our trials. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us but fill us with your words everyday. 

Fri.’s Devo - Those Who Tremble At his Word

Read: Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4b-21; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 24:15-16

The Lord is looking for those who are humble and contrite and tremble at the words of his prophets. He is tired of the sacrifices they are bringing to him that are not from a heart that honestly worships him. They have chosen to go their own way and not his. They persecute those who are worshiping God with their whole heart. They will be destroyed on the day he chooses to come to recompense his enemies. 

God describes the people like a woman in labor who will bring forth her baby in a day because he will act in a day. In a day, there will be total destruction for the wicked, but then God’s peace and glory will fall on his chosen that are left. They will rise up and flourish. God will make the heavens and the earth new and his chosen people will remain on the earth and worship him in spirit and in truth. 

They will see all the dead bodies of those who rebelled against him. “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But only with your eyes will you see the reward of the wicked.” Psalm 91:8

Paul gives us a perfect picture of what God is looking for. Paul was born into the right family, went to the right schools and had risen to have a name in the religious circles. But, he found that all that was worthless. He gave it all up to be a follower of Christ and to share in his sufferings and humility. He made it his goal to know the power of Christ who was resurrected to life, even if it cost him his life.

He understood that he was a citizen of heaven more than he was a citizen of this world and Christ would one day transform his body to be glorious like Christ.

Lord, we look forward to the day that you will destroy our enemies and fill the earth with your glory. May we be those who tremble at your word and remain to rebuild the earth in righteousness and salvation.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Day of Vengeance and the Year of Redemption

Read: Isaiah 62:6-65:25; Philippians 2:19-3:4a Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 24:13-14

God set watchmen on the wall which are the prophets that would tell them when the enemy was coming. They would remind them of what God had done in the past and what he was doing in the future. 

Isaiah was one of these prophets. He said they would no longer work for their enemies and not receive the fruit of their labors. God told Isaiah to make a way for the people to return to him. He was to get their hearts ready to receive him. Those how heard the call and responded would be known as “The Redeemed of the Lord.” They would be called “The Holy People.” They will be sought out and no longer forsaken of the Lord. 

He gives us a picture of God coming with garments splattered in blood because he has warred against our enemies and won. It has been the day of vengeance and now it will be the year of redemption and rebuilding. God had done this before, when he brought them out of Egypt, but they hardened their hearts against the Lord and he had to turn them over to their enemies. 

Isaiah cries out to the Lord for the people and begs for mercy and forgiveness. God responds in Chapter 65. He reminds them that he had come to them and gave them many chances to repent but they chose to worship their detestable idols and false gods that can’t help them one bit. But, God promised not to destroy them all. He will bring forth a remnant from Jacob’s offspring and they will serve him. 

Isaiah gives two scenarios. One is the proud one who refused to hear the Lord and the other is the one who chose to serve God. The one who serves the Lord will eat, while the rebellious one starves. He will rejoice, while the rebellious is mourning. The righteous will rule while the sinner becomes the destitute. It will be such a turn around. It will be a new earth with a new heaven. We will not even remember all the suffering of the old way. People will be glad once again and there will be no young deaths or a person who does not live out all his days. We will enjoy the fruits of our labor and not lose our houses because we can’t afford them. Our children will be a delight all their days. There will be no more wars or fear of harm. 

We are walking into this time Isaiah was talking about. Jesus is not coming back for a while. He will be ruling us through his righteous rulers. He will be judging us through righteous judges and there will be peace on earth until the devil is released for a season. Then he will return, just like he said he would.

Lord, prepare us for the day of your vengeance and hide us in the shadow of your hand. May we only look at the reward of the wicked and not be moved. We trust in your Word and your power to perform it. Then, use us to rebuild and restore this world to honor you.