Day 223

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Judah's Dark Days

Scripture

August 10—Jeremiah 34-39: Darkness All Around

Observation

Having had most of his sermons discounted, discredited or disregarded, the prophet now picks up his pen and finds that wicked rulers do not want to read God's Word any more than they want to hear it! Arrested for treason and cast in the muck of an empty cistern, Jeremiah is rescued by friendly forces. Once more he returns to the palace to warn the king, "Surrender or perish."

Application

Switch places with Jeremiah for a few moments. Allow him to take a seat in the twentieth century AD while you slip on his prophet's robes from the sixth century BC.

You are standing in the darkness, knee-deep in the chilling mire of an abandoned cistern. You have been beaten without cause, falsely accused of capital crimes, kept under house arrest, and now this. No one is listening; seemingly no one cares. Being God's prophet has landed you literally in the pits.

What thoughts are going through your mind? Are you discouraged? Do you feel a sense of desperation? Are you considering a change of employers? 

Now look up Psalm 13. This song of hope and trust in the midst of trouble was written by another beleaguered believer, King David. And though it echoes from the pit of longsuffering, there's no hint of quitting or bitterness.

Periodic discouragement is part of the package of living. But the Christian knows that God is bigger than any trouble be it false accusation, personal rejection, restricted freedom, or even physical abuse. Put a marker in your Bible at Psalm 13 and share it comforting words with the first person you meet today who is in the pits!

Prayer

Dear God, we confess our sins and lay them before you today for we don't want to live in darkness. We want to live in your marvelous light instead. Please forgive us and guide us through Your Spirit so that we can turn away from wrong, and do what's right in your sight. Because of your great love for us wanting not a one to perish, You and only You are worthy of our praise! In Jesus' name we pray! Amen!


He's Worthy of Our Praise!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business!

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