Category: Jeremiah

Standing for God

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 1 & 2

POETRY: Psalm 115

NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Peter 1

Have you ever thought that it was too hard to stand for God in the middle of this dark world? Have you ever feared ridicule that kept you from sharing your faith with someone? I know that I have thought both of these things at times in my life.

One example in Scripture that serves to encourage us in this category is Jeremiah. Jeremiah served as a prophet in one of the darkest days for the people of God, beginning his ministry right before the exile into Babylon. Jeremiah 1 chronicles the “call” of Jeremiah to serve God.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

4 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

God tells Jeremiah that He knew him before he was born! Not only that, God called Jeremiah to be a prophet before he was born. What an incredible calling! And Jeremiah would need this kind of encouragement and consolation, because the people of God at this point in history were not inclined to listen to the Lord’s instruction. In fact, Jeremiah’s whole life would be filled with heartache and sorrow as he fulfilled his role as a prophet to the people of Judah in this time before and during the exile.

Jeremiah, just like Moses and many throughout the Bible (and perhaps some of us, too!), argued with God’s choice. God responds with the only words that Jeremiah needed to hear (and the only words that we often need to hear):

“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.”

They continue talking — God shows Jeremiah some visions. At the end of the chapter, God reiterates this simple word to Jeremiah:

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

Jeremiah faced many challenges in his life. He was tempted to be discouraged at every turn. And yet, in his darkest moments, he could remember the simple words that God told him the day that he was called:

“I am with you.”

Today, you can rest knowing that God is with you, just like He was with Jeremiah. We may face different types of battles than Jeremiah did, but the same God that was with Jeremiah is with us. He will deliver us.

-Will Barlow

Reflection Questions

What do you notice in your mind and body when you face opposition? Do you tense up, get angry, feel intimidated? How can you acknowledge and hold space for these feelings while also living your faith out the way that you desire to?

    What can you do to be more intentional to stand for God bravely as Jeremiah did?

    Have you ever argued with God when He has asked you to do something? What did you do? What can you learn from that experience?

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    Trusting in Yourself?

    Old Testament: Jeremiah 51-52
    Poetry: Proverbs 28
    New Testament: Revelation 1


    So, I spent most of today on a ladder. Not to sound too pompous, but I recently purchased “The Little Giant.” I was very excited. I tried to make it into a shape that would fit on our stairs, but I wasn’t having much luck. Finally, I let the ladder be and watched a few videos about how to use it. I then swallowed my pride and asked my husband for assistance. With some wrangling and a
    few terse comments (I’m sorry Daniel!) we got the ladder into a position in which I could reach the areas I intend to paint. Later, we had a good laugh when Dan sent me the meme of a guy falling off a ladder saying, “When I lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). I do feel so bad for that guy and I am very glad I didn’t follow in his direction. We see a very similar verse in Proverbs 28:26. “He who follows his own heart is a fool.” In both verses, when we do not
    seek out wise counsel and mentorship as I have mentioned before, we will lead ourselves astray.


    While standing on the ladder, I mulled over the verses in Jeremiah, I wondered why kings did not listen to Jeremiah. They didn’t even have to seek him out. He was right there at their beck and call. They knew he was wise and sent from the Lord. I just don’t understand. Jeremiah 51 recaps what was going to happen to Babylon; Jeremiah even notes that there was opportunity for repentance but the Babylonian king was not interested. Jeremiah 52 recaps all that had happened to Zedekiah, Jehoiachin, and the people of Judah. Zedekiah never does turn things
    around. I am unclear as to when or if Jehoiachin turned to the Lord but his story does end nicely. It is believed by many scholars that he did repent and that is why he did have a descendant return to the throne despite the Lord’s initial punishment denying descendants the throne. But it just seems to me that every story would have had a better outcome if they had just listened to the Lord.


    Luckily for us, John did exactly what he was told and recorded what he saw in the vision he had seen and sent it to the seven churches in Asia, which is modern day Turkey. As frightening as Revelation can be, I love that in chapter 1, Christ starts with assuring John and us that HE is in control. We don’t have to lean on our understanding, make decisions without Godly counsel, or live lives without a future hope. Not to give away the ending, but Christ wins it all and if we believe in him, we will win too.


    Had I not followed the directions in the videos for my new fancy ladder, I might not be writing this tonight as I might be in a cast. I know I sound like a broken record at this point (have someone over 50 explain what that means if you don’t know) but scripture repeats this too. Trust the Lord, follow His commands, give Him control of your life. It will not lead to a perfect life, but it will be a life tested and approved.

    -Maria Knowlton

    Questions for Reflection

    1. When have you tried to do things (regarding ladders or life) your own way and what was the result?
    2. When have you walked in wisdom instead – and what was the result?
    3. Who has shared wise counsel with you when you needed it? How did they do so?
    4. How does it help reading Revelation – and going through life – knowing how the story ends? Who do you know who might not have heard yet how the story ends? How can you share the story and wise counsel with them?
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    What Tomorrow Brings

    Old Testament: Jeremiah 49-50
    Poetry: Proverbs 27
    New Testament: Revelation intro – found below


    As I was leaving an elderly patient’s room, I told him I’d see him tomorrow. He replied, “God willing and the creek don’t rise!” I whipped back around, “What did you say?” I had never heard that saying before, but I immediately decided this line was going in my personal repertoire of phrases. It aligns very well with Proverbs 27:1 and James 4:13-15. We can make all sorts of plans, but we do not know exactly what God has planned for us tomorrow.


    I don’t think anyone in Israel saw the events of October 7, 2023 coming. While there have been skirmishes between Israel and the Palestinians for decades, people were just going about their day. Some were shopping, eating out, or attending a music festival. No one was prepared for the Hamas ground and air attacks that took the lives of over 1,400 with 200 more kidnapped. My first thought when I heard this was – could this possibly be the wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24-6) that could spark the end of this age? That thought led me to the book we are about to enter into: Revelation. I’m gonna be honest, the book of Revelation is scary. The first time I heard a sermon about Revelation, I cried all the way home. Parenting tip: don’t let 1st graders listen to a sermon about the end times, even if it’s their father preaching! But God, through Christ, did not give that Revelation to John to scare us, but rather to prepare us. Even as young as I was, my biggest fear about the end times was if my grandparents had heard about this! I don’t remember all she said to comfort me, but my mom assured me that they knew.


    There have been other times when God has given his people warnings and instructions for preparations for His people. In Jeremiah 49-50, God instructs Jeremiah to let Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam and last but not least, Babylon know of their upcoming destruction. He also delivers hope for Israel and Judah to be restored as His holy nation. And all of those events happened.


    Both in the past and the end-time prophecies, God has given us these messages so that we can be prepared, and part of that preparation includes letting those we meet know about what is to come. Tomorrow I plan on doing some laundry, dishes, and painting the stairwell and the bathroom, God willing and the creek don’t rise. But if God has something else planned for me, I pray I will be found prepared for what HE wants of me.

    -Maria Knowlton

    Revelation Introduction

    The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation (along with the gospel of John, and 1, 2, and 3 John) to the 7 churches in Asia, while in exile on the Isle of Patmos, “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”.  Our word revelation is translated from the Greek word “apokalypsis”, which means ”revealing” or “unveiling”, but because of the contents of Revelation, the word apocalypse is often thought of as “catastrophe” generally, and “the end of the world” specifically.

    Revelation shows the fight between God and his Son Jesus on the one hand, and Satan and his evil followers on the other hand, and shows God’s ultimate complete victory via Jesus over Satan, sin, and death.  Much of this is shown by a series of symbolic visions, with many allusions to Old Testament prophecies – making this probably the most complicated and most misunderstood book in the Bible.

    Revelation includes successively more intense punishment on the world, starting with 7 seals, progressing to 7 trumpet judgments, and then moving to 7 bowls of God’s wrath.  (For those of you worrying, 1 Thes 5:9 reminds us that Christians will not endure God’s wrath, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”)

    Jesus is shown returning in glory in chapter 19, where he will make war against the beast, false prophet, and their armies. He destroys the armies with the sword that comes out of His mouth.  Chapter 20 then tells about the future 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth before the final great white throne judgment.  Chapters 21 and 22 then tell of the eternal Kingdom of God.

    I’ll close with my favorite verse in the Bible, Rev 21:4, “He [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

    -Steve Mattison

    Reflection Questions

    1. What is the difference between being prepared for tomorrow and boasting about tomorrow? Where does God want us to be?
    2. What are your feelings about the book of Revelation? What are your feelings about the book of Jeremiah? Why do you think God gave each of these books to the original audiences – and also to you and I?
    3. What is the benefit to knowing a storm is coming? How does this relate to the book of Revelation? What is the benefit to knowing a storm won’t last forever? How does this also relate to the book of Revelation?
    4. What specifically will you do today to be better prepared for tomorrow and for God’s plans for the future? How will you help others be better prepared?
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    Fools and Folly

    Old Testament: Jeremiah 46-48
    Poetry: Proverbs 26
    New Testament: Jude


    In writing these devotions, I’ve been hoping to bring up my favorite villain of all time, Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, of Phineas and Ferb fame (which is the best animated series of all time and the only argument against that fact I will entertain is Veggie Tales). Most villains are cruel and cunning, and I just can’t relate to that. Dr. D doesn’t really aspire to be cruel, he just wants to control people in the Tri-State area. After being a mom and nurse, I understand wanting to control people to save them from bad choices..but I digress. The thing I like the most is that for a villain, Dr. D is completely harmless and hilarious. Sometimes his plans are foiled by his nemesis, the hero, Perry the Platypus, but most of the time Dr. D is his own worst enemy. His own folly is the means to his destruction, usually because he builds in a self-destruct button in
    all of his inventions designed to take over the Tri-State area. Dr. D is definitely a character whom I would consider a fool, super funny, but a fool nonetheless.


    In all of the readings today: OT, Proverbs, and NT, we are told of all sorts of foolish people. In Jeremiah 46-48, God is spelling out exactly what is going to happen to the people/cities who chose to disobey Him. Disturbing reading to say the least. I think the thing that is most disturbing is that these people are purposely foolish. They were warned by Jeremiah repeatedly to return to God, but they would not.


    In Proverbs 26, we are given a list of the things foolish people do. Verse 27 has happened to Dr. D. in several episodes of Phineas and Ferb. Verse 11 is a favorite of kids who like to be gross, but points out something fools are famous for: repeating their stupid actions. My favorite quote from Dr. D is what he says after his plans are waylaid: “Well, live and learn.” I quote this all the time. But Dr. D never seems to learn, he makes the same mistakes time and again. He indeed is foolish.


    In Jude, we read the letter written to those who have very eagerly decided to follow Jesus Christ, Jude’s brother. Jude writes this letter both to encourage these people but also to warn them about the most dangerous fools of all, those who call themselves Christians but purposely teach falsehood. Just as in 2 Timothy 4:3, fools were claiming to be teaching the word but were in truth teaching what people wanted to hear. Sadly, my brothers and sisters, this is not a problem of the past. I fear we are seeing an even greater number of so-called churches allowing people to teach a gospel of “your truth.” Just this evening as I was mulling the scriptures I had read, I came across a “Not the Bee” article that discussed a preacher or “pastrix” as she calls herself, telling her congregates that God lied to Eve and it’s a good thing Eve ate of the apple so
    women would have the agency to make choices over their bodies. And you know where she is going with that line of thinking. This is exactly what Jude was talking about. This is not harmless foolishness. This is the foolishness that leads to death, both in this lifetime and the age to come.


    As dangerous as these fools are, we are given the equipment to recognize false teachings and rebuff them. Take up the full armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-18), Hide the word of God in your heart ( Psalms 119:11), and study, study, study (2 Timothy 2:15)!

    -Maria Knowlton

    Reflection Questions

    1. What foolish things have you done more than once? How’s that vomit tasting? GROSS!!!! But I couldn’t resist. Do you foresee yourself doing it yet again? How might you be able to train yourself to NOT do it again?
    2. What foolish false teaching are you aware of today? How can you tell it is false? Why do you think others are believing and following after it?
    3. Why do you think the people of Jeremiah’s day were so set on doing life their way when God was so clear about what the consequences would be? Are there any differences today?
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    In Need of a Home Inspector

    Old Testament: Jeremiah 43, 44, 45
    Poetry: Proverbs 25
    New Testament: Intro to Jude – see below


    “REXBURG, Idaho – The five-bedroom house sits on pastoral acreage in the rural U.S. countryside. At a price less than $180,000, it seemed a steal.


    But a bargain it wasn’t. Ben and Amber Sessions soon realized the dream home they’d purchased in Idaho for their growing family in 2009 was infested with hundreds upon hundreds of garter snakes.


    The ground surrounding the home appeared to move at times, it was so thick with snakes. Throngs of snakes crawled beneath the home’s siding. At night, the young couple said they would lie awake and listen to slithering inside the walls.


    “It was like living in one of those horror movies,” said Ben Sessions, 31.”


    I wonder if this nightmare could have been avoided with a house inspection before this young couple purchased this home. I imagine in the excitement of buying a home for a great price and naively trusting their realtor that the stories about snakes in the area were a myth, a home inspector probably didn’t seem necessary.


    In Jeremiah 43-45, God is the home inspector. Through Jeremiah, God warns the Judeans not to go to Egypt. Though this warning was not due to snakes, but worse, false gods. Depending on what Wikipedia article you read, the Egyptians of the time had between 1500 to 2000 false gods. While the gods did not actually exist, the people who worshiped them certainly did and were the “influencers” of their time. God knew that if the Judeans went to Egypt, they would quickly fall in step with the practices of the Egyptian culture. In fact, many of the women were already worshiping the “Queen of Heaven,” the goddess of sex and war. God does not accept practicing sexual immorality (which He reminds us again through Jude, which just HAPPENS to be our New Testament reading for the day. Coincidence? I think not!). Even more so, God is a jealous
    God and does not accept worshiping other gods. Besides all that, we were already told that God told the people NO. And that should have been that.


    While it’s highly unlikely you will find yourself in a house overrun with snakes or a culture overrun with false gods, are there things in your life you are heading into without the benefit of a “home inspector?” Is it safe and wise to go where you are heading? Be wise and design your plans with the help of the Lord and a Christ-following mentor. I am not just writing to just the teens here. All of us, of any age, need the wisdom only God can provide, often through a mentor.


    The young people in the snake story and the Judeans in Jeremiah had their own plans and didn’t let things like lack of a home inspection or God’s blessing get in the way of their plans. Sadly, the young couple had to go into bankruptcy to get out of the house and the people who went to Egypt were destroyed. Do not follow in their paths.

    -Maria Knowlton

    Reflection Questions

    1. Can you think of a time when you chose to do it your way instead of God’s way? What was the result? What might have happened instead if you would have done it God’s way?
    2. If you ask God to inspect your home/life, what might He point out as red flags to be cautious of or totally remove for your safety and the safety of others? What reinforcements would He recommend you add in order to create a stronger home?
    3. In the end, whose word will stand – God’s or yours? How do you know? Knowing that, how should you life today?

    Jude Introduction

    The book of Jude was written by Jude, the brother of James and believed to also be the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55 and 1 Corinthians 9:5).

    The book of Jude is very similar to 2 Peter 2, urgently warning against false teachers who have slipped in among the believers.  It warns against falling away from the faith, giving as examples the Israelites who were delivered from Egypt but were later destroyed, and angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home.  Jude wanted to not only make people aware of false teachers, but also to encourage believers to fight for the truth.

    I’ll close with Jude 1:22, “Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

    -Steve Mattison

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    A Piece of Good Advice

    *Old Testament: Jeremiah 41-42

    Poetry: Proverbs 24

    New Testament: 3 John

    I’ve always enjoyed this totally fabricated interchange between two people along the coast:

    Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

    Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

    Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

    Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

    Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States’ Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north, that’s one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

    Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

    It’s a humorous example of disregarding the advice of others due to one’s own pride. I believe that is what is going on in today’s reading of Jeremiah 42. The people of Judah plead with Jeremiah to go to the Lord for them and tell them to either remain in Judah or go on to Egypt. Jeremiah comes back after 10 days and tells them the Lord said to stay put. The people then tell Jeremiah he is full of baloney. Jeremiah tells them they will be killed and they say See Ya! Gee… I wonder what will happen? I really feel for Jeremiah here as once again, someone begs for his advice and then was just like, nah, what do you know? Even after PROMISING they will do what he says! No wonder he is referred to as the Weeping Prophet.

    Have you ever disregarded the advice of others? Was it unsolicited as in the lighthouse example? Was it solicited, like the people of Judah, and you ignored it anyway? Why did you disregard it? What were the results?

    I’ve spoken of eternal significance in my previous writing. It’s a phrase my wise uncle uses to determine if something is worth getting worked up about. Does it have eternal significance? I suppose some advice doesn’t have eternal significance. I didn’t sand the cabinet before I painted it as advised by the paint can. Now it looks pretty cruddy. But some advice has great eternal significance. I have taken the advice of my parents, Sunday School teachers, pastors, and friends and put the Lord first in my life. I could write for some time about the blessings I have received because of acting on that advice.

    All this to say, take good advice to heart and do not let pride get in the way. Like the sailors on that ship, it could save your life.

    -Maria Knowlton

    Reflection Questions

    1. Have you ever disregarded the advice of others? Was it unsolicited as in the lighthouse example? Was it solicited, like the people of Judah, and you ignored it anyway? Why did you disregard it? What were the results?
    2. How do you decide what advice to follow? Does your pride ever play a role in making that decision? How do you decide what is good advice and what is bad advice?
    3. What piece of advice or instruction have you heard or read lately that has eternal significance? Will you follow this advice? Why? How?
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    It’s Your Choice

    Old Testament: Jeremiah 39-40
    Poetry: Proverbs 23
    New Testament: 2 John



    Once upon a time, a certain daughter and niece of mine chose to go play in the street. When my son, husband, and I saw them heading towards the road we tore across the yard and pulled them off the road as quickly as we could. I rarely ever spanked my kiddos, but in that moment, I did swat both of their bottoms. I wanted them to experience a little pain so that they would not do it again and possibly experience great pain and/or death.


    In today’s reading, the writer of Proverbs 23:13 points out that if we discipline our children we may possibly save them from death. In today’s Old Testament passage, Jeremiah as the de facto parent, tries to discipline and instruct King Zedekiah and the people of Judah, to save them from death. Unfortunately, in the fairly “rated R for violence” chapter 39, the king disregards wisdom and instruction (as spelled out in Proverbs 23). It is utterly sad and gruesome to read the fate of this family and the end of lineage of Josiah. If only King Zedekiah
    had known the consequences of his choices. Oh wait a minute! He did! Jeremiah told him exactly what would happen if he did not listen to the Lord!


    Similarly, in 2 John, John tells the anonymous church the consequences if they listen to those teaching false ideas and doctrines. It is a short letter, and we don’t get all the details as the conversation was later carried on in person. But it is long enough to know this was a problem in this church.


    Many of the consequences of the choices we make are not clear.
    Become a teacher or an accountant = ???? Unknown consequences
    Date Mark or Luke = ????? Unknown consequences
    Take the job at the grocery store or McDonalds = ???? Unknown consequences
    But in all these instances above, the choices and consequences are clear,
    Run into the street = get hit by a car (or at least get a spanking)
    Disregard a prophet = get your eyes gouged out and be killed
    Listen to false teachers = be pulled away from God


    You are going to have many choices in life where the consequences are not clear. But you will also have choices that are clear. Choose obedience. Choose faith. Choose life.


    And stay out of the street!


    Deuteronomy 30:19-20: This day I call the heavens and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to Him.

    -Maria Knowlton

    Reflection Questions

    1. When have you made a bad choice even though you knew ahead of time what the consequences would be?
    2. How can discipline save from death? As a parent, child, teacher, youth leader how can this be applied to your situation?
    3. In what ways have you made choices leading to life and blessings, away from death and curses? How well are you listening to His voice and holding fast to Him?
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    When They are Not Listening

    Old Testament: Jeremiah 37 & 38

    Poetry : Proverbs 22

    New Testament: 1 John 5

    I did everything right. I read to my kids every night, we went to story time at the public library, I modeled reading (especially when I went back to college). But somehow, I ended up with an adult and teen who abhor “free time” reading.


    In reading the story of King Josiah (2 Kings 22-23), it was noted he did what was right according to the law and according to the love in his heart, soul, and might for the Lord. Yet, not one of his sons who succeeded him as king chose to follow the Lord. I can’t help but wonder what went wrong. Surely they had seen the wickedness of their ancestors and the time of peace that was enjoyed during their father’s rule. But we are not told why they made the choices they did, we
    are only told the results.


    In Jeremiah 37-38, we find that King Zedekiah ( the third of King Josiah’s son to rule, after one grandson) has gotten himself in a pickle and after years of ignoring God, he thinks maybe he better get that holy guy, Jeremiah, to pray for him and the people of Judah. (So, as in Proverbs 22:5, he clearly had been taught about the Lord and the need for a mediator. Pretty handy that verse is part of our reading today! )


    Then Jeremiah tells the king and everyone within earshot that the Lord said they better surrender to the Babylonians so that they will live and serve out the upcoming punishment the Lord has rendered for their constant disobedience. Of course, no one likes this, so some of the king’s officials have him arrested on trumped up charges and put him in a makeshift prison. King Zedekiah lets him out for awhile, but it isn’t long before Jeremiah is arrested again and this time thrown in a muddy cistern. YUCK!!!! The king lets him out, again, and again asks if the Lord has sent him a message. The nerve! I can so relate when Jeremiah tells him, why do you ask for advice when you aren’t going to listen to me anyway?


    I won’t give away what comes next, except to say, it isn’t good. But that’s no spoiler as we’ve already figured out that life isn’t very smooth when one chooses to ignore the Lord’s leading. I’m not thrilled my kids don’t like to read. My “training in them in the way they should go” did not stick in that area. But that is not really of any eternal significance. It is my prayer, however, that
    they live lives of faith and obedience to God’s commandments as written in 1st John 5. Because THAT does have eternal significance.

    -Maria Knowlton

    Reflection Questions

    1. How can we seek to pass along to the next generation a love for the Lord and a desire to follow Him?
    2. What do we learn from Jeremiah about remaining faithful in a faithless society?
    3. In reading 1 John 5 what do you want to live out and pass along to the next generation? What will that look like today?
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    Don’t Quit

    Jeremiah 35 & 36

    We sure could use a few more Jeremiahs today!  He was quick to follow God’s instructions, and he boldly spoke God’s truth even when it was quite unpopular.  And, he didn’t quit!

    At the time of the events of Jeremiah chapter 36 the prophet had already been preaching to his Jewish brothers and sisters for over 20 years – warning them again and again of God’s displeasure and the coming wrath if they don’t repent and turn from their wicked ways.  Over and over again he has urged the people, the kings, the priests to stop sinning and return to God.  But as a nation, they don’t get it.  They revel in their freedom, follow after the gods of their neighbors and fall further and further from what God designed them to be – His chosen people who love Him and follow Him and are blessed by Him.

    The 20 plus years of preaching hasn’t turned the hearts of Judah back to their Creator.  Maybe if it was ALL written down – would the people listen then?  God tells Jeremiah to write down all the sermons he has ever preached – every word that God has given him from the very start of his ministry.  God said, “Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.” (Jeremiah 36:3 NIV).  Even though God hates the sins of His people He still loves them and wants to give them another chance to come back to Him.  And so a great project begins.  Jeremiah dictates as his scribe Baruch writes it all down.  Perhaps the people will listen.  They spend over a year writing – God has said a lot.  How will the people respond to this book that lays it all out?

    Since Jeremiah’s unpopular (but very Godly) message has already had him personally banned from the temple, Baruch is sent to read God’s words through Jeremiah to the people.  One who hears it, Micaiah, realizes the importance of what has been written and he arranges a reading of it with some of the royal officials.  “When they heard all these words, they looked at each other in fear” (Jeremiah 36:16) and they arrange for the king himself to hear the words on the scroll from Baruch, Jeremiah, and ultimately God.

    Here’s the king’s chance.  He can hear God’s word and repent and lead the nation into a time of Godly reformation, thus saving them from God’s wrath at the hands of the Babylonians – just as his father Josiah had done years ago.  But King Jehoiakim thinks he knows better.  His arrogance and hardened heart don’t crack.  Instead, as the scroll is read to him in his chambers, he cuts it apart and burns God’s word, piece by piece.

    Can you imagine the anger and defeat and perhaps fear Jeremiah and Baruch may have felt when they heard the fate of their scroll – God’s words?  To know the utter disrespect they (and their God) had received – and how their work was violated and destroyed.  And they didn’t even have a copy saved on their hard drive.  Totally lost.  Over a year’s work, gone.  But, God’s Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).  So, when God tells Jeremiah to write it all down again – with an extra word for Jehoiakim – Jeremiah and Baruch get to work – and the second work is completed, more impressive than the first. And perhaps much of what we read today in the book of Jeremiah comes from this second labor of love and obedience and great persistence.

    God’s Words are priceless.  Some will hear and respond and pass it on. Like Jeremiah they are motivated to live by, love and share God’s words in order to save themselves and their hearers  (1 Timothy 4:16).  But others will scoff, show no fear and even seek to destroy it.  It does not change the supreme importance and value of the words – or the God who spoke them.  Nations, kings, priests, people; past, present and future will be judged by how they respond to God and His Word.  The king who brazenly cut apart and burned the scroll paid with his life – and his children and country suffered mightily for it as well.  Jeremiah and Baruch had far from an easy life – but they didn’t give up.  They kept at it – writing, sharing, reading, speaking and living God’s Word.  They persistently worked striving to help save those in danger of experiencing God’s wrath.  Will you stand with them today and be a Jeremiah?

    -Marcia Railton

    Sorry we were late in sending today’s devotion out.

    Today’s Bible reading passages can be read or listened to at BibleGateway.com here – Jeremiah 35 & 36 and Hebrews 9

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    A New and Improved Covenant

    Jeremiah 33 & 34 and Hebrews 8

    Following God and obeying His will does not mean that we will have a life free of problems as we can see from so many of the stories in the Bible. It does mean that God is with us as we go through the hard times. Sometimes life is harder for us when we tell others what God wants them to hear.  As we read Jeremiah 33 & 34, we see that this is true for Jeremiah. Jeremiah is still imprisoned by King Zedekiah and Jeremiah is still obeying and trusting in God and telling them what God has told him to say. In Jeremiah 33:2-3a it says “This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to create it, He whose name is the Lord: ‘Call to Me and I will answer you,‘” Isn’t it amazing that the God who created the universe wants us to call out to Him, and it’s equally amazing that He WILL answer. We all have hard times that we go through, but we can call out to our Father and He will walk with us through the hard times. But He wants us (and the Israelites & Judeans) to know that there is a bright future when all the hardships will be over and we will live in joy and peace.

    It says in Jeremiah 33:11b “Give thanks to the Lord of armies, for the Lord is good, for His mercy is everlasting,” God is a good God and His mercies are everlasting, and He has a great future in store for His children. God reminds them that a day is coming when His word will be fulfilled. In Jeremiah 33:14-16 we have a prophecy about Jesus and it says; “Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch of David sprout; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety; and this is the name by which it will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.’”

    In Chapter 34 God tells Jeremiah to tell King Zedekiah that Babylon will come in and take over and he will meet King Nebuchadnezzar face to face, but he says that the king would not die by the sword but that he would die in peace. As we learn in the rest of the chapter that is exactly what happened.

    We have all seen commercials about something that is “New and Improved,” which means that something was not as good as it should have been or there would be no need for improvement. Hebrews 8 is all about a new covenant that has been established through Jesus, our sacrificial lamb, and now our high priest. The reason there had to be a new covenant was because the first one was not faultless, but the new covenant is. Hebrews 8:1 “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, without fault.” Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb, without fault or blemish.  We have read some of these verses already because they were taken from Jeremiah 31:33. Anytime a verse is used in both the Old and New Testament, we should pay attention to what it says. Hebrews 8:10-11.  “For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, And write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen, and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” God is constantly working in our lives because He is a God of love, He loves His children, and He wants to be our God, and for us to be His people.  

    -Sherry Alcumbrack

    Today’s Bible reading passages can be read or listened to at BibleGateway.com here – Jeremiah 33-34 and Hebrews 8

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