Mon.’s Devo - A Better Future

Read: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24

Jeremiah had been put in prison by King Zedekiah for prophesying he would be taken to Babylon. The army had torn down the houses of those taken to Babylon already and made fortifications to keep the enemy out, but these houses would soon be filled with dead bodies. 

God told Jeremiah to ask him and he would show him great things for the future. He did ask and God showed him that God would bring them health and healing and an abundance of peace and truth…all the while, they were facing war and death. God said that the ones that got captured would return and rebuild what was being destroyed. God would cleanse them from their sins and he would pardon their iniquities. They would be a joy to him and he would greatly prosper them. In this city that would stand desolate for so many years, there would one day be sounds of life and joy and praise to him. The fields would once again be filled with cattle. God would bring Israel a king of righteousness and Jerusalem would be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. David’s posterity will reign as their king. God will multiply his descendants and those who worship him. 

God sent Jeremiah to speak to King Zedekiah and tell him that Jerusalem would fall to Babylon and be burned with fire but Zedekiah would not die in the siege. He would die in peace and be honored by the people. 

Jeremiah had warned the king to have the people set their Hebrew slaves free like the law said. The law commanded that they were only to keep them for six years then set them free. Zedekiah and the people promised to do this and did for a while. Then many took their slaves back and broke their covenant with the Lord. The ones who did this would die in the battle and not be buried. The birds and beasts would eat their bodies. The people would be taken captive to Babylon, but they will return. Jerusalem would go down in flames and the rest of the cities of Judah would lie desolate.

In Timothy, Paul’s letter was to expose the false doctrines of demons and man-made laws of abstinence from certain foods. These were foods that God created for them to eat. 

Paul urged Timothy to preach this to the people and not participate in their silly myths, but to teach godliness which will prosper them in their lives and in eternity. Paul told Timothy not to be intimidated because he was so young because he was to be an example to them in his conduct, his love and faith and his pure living. Paul encouraged him in his gift that they had given him through the Holy Spirit when they prayed for him and laid their hands on him.  It was important that he keep his people grounded in truth.

Lord, thank you that there are some battles that we don’t have to fight. You fight them for us. May we be diligent to obey what you tell us to do and let you do what you want to do. Thank you that the victory is yours! Thank you that you have planned a better future for us and our world.