Day 222

By
Judah's Captors

Scripture

August 9—Jeremiah 30-33: Hope against Judgment

Observation

Things have never looked bleaker for the nation of Judah than in the opening verses of chapter 30. Yet God will not abandon his people forever. They will return home, rejoice in their privileged position again, and enter into a new and better covenant with their God . In order to illustrate this great hope. Jeremiah purchases a piece of land, knowing full well that it will soon fall Babylonian hands. But Babylonian control will be brief when compared to the rule of God's Righteous Branch, the Messiah.

Application

Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this? You've been wrestling for months with a decision you know God wants you to make. It doesn't seem logical but somehow you know what you have to do. Finally, you take that step of obedience. Immediately you experience great relief that you have done what God wants you to do. But then doubt strikes. You can't see how it will all work out.

God told Jeremiah to buy a piece of land that would soon be conquered and confiscated by the Babylonians. It didn't seem to make sense, but Jeremiah obeyed, perhaps wondering why God was asking him to be such a poor steward of his money. Then Jeremiah did the wise thing: He took his doubts to God in prayer (32:16-25). And as he "prayed through his perplexities, "God responded by encouraging him with great statements of promise that Jeremiah could stake his life on.

God loves to destroy doubt and worry, and he does it best when you are on your knees. End your Bible reading today with a time of prayer. Ask God not simply to change your circumstances but to change your character as well. Then watch your doubts melt like fog in the warmth of God's trustworthy promises.

Prayer

Lord, even today some Christians' experience often collapses because of their conduct and bad living—disobedience. We learnt from your Word while studying our Bible reading today that that's exactly what happened to the people of Judah because of their disobedience. Yet You restored them and brought back happiness to the nation. We know you will do the same for us today which give us hope. We have hope in the Righteous Branch, our Messiah. That's why we so gladly want to mirror You to the world through our actions, so that others will believe and obey You without us having to say a word. Thank you, Jesus!  Amen!

God's Righteous Branch!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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