Day 225

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The Whole World is in His Hands!

Scripture

August 12—Jeremiah 46-49: All Nations are Disciplined

Observation

God's power is not limited to the weak and insignificant nations. His authority extends over every people and tongue, influencing the affairs of all mankind. So indicates Jeremiah in the powerful closing chapters of his prophetic masterpiece. From west to east—from Elam to Egypt, Damascus to Edom—all godless and idolatrous nations will one day know the might and justice of the one and only true God.

Application

It's a poor teacher indeed who spends the entire class time with one pupil while allowing the rest of the students to run wild. In the light of today's reading describing the fate of pagan nations, think of God as a wise Teacher who has just finished discipling one unruly pupil (Judah) and now returns to apply the same standards of behavior to the rest of the "class."

In this way, God underscores his divine claim upon all nations and peoples. All belong to him; all are subject to his supreme will and divine intervention. He is no small "local" deity; rather, he is the God who holds the whole world—indeed, the universe—in his hands.

It's easy to become "little" and "localized" in our prayers, focusing only on our family, our friends, our church, our nation, our needs. Today for a change of pace, let's try "Global Prayer." With a world map or globe before us and a daily news outlet as our "prayer prompter," we will pray for those peoples in distant corners of the world who perhaps have never before entered into our thoughts and prayers. That's a wonderful way to learn that "the field is the world" (Matthew 13:38). It might even motivate us to become more active in a global mission program. And, this can even be done in an online format.

Prayer

Dear Lord God, we know that if we want our prayers to be real we must not only pray for those that we consider dear to us but also for peoples all over the world. Everybody is in need of your deliverance from whatever is afflicting them. We are also aware that we first must live a righteous life ourselves. Help us to be excellent about what is good and innocent of evil in your eyes so that when we pray we are heard. Soften our heart and make us spiritual able to pray for those in need. We ask and pray this in our Savior Jesus' name! Amen!
 

Pray for People All Over the World!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business!

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