Jeremiah 20- God With Us

 

Jeremiah has such a hard calling: to declare Gods word to the people of Israel knowing they will reject it and hate him personally.  This chapter we see him cursing the day he was born and wishing he would have died…he is in a tough situation that he cannot do anything about.  He is fully reliant on God.  Then we get this gem, “the LORD is with me.”

What a blessing that God does not shy away from the hard moments of our life, no matter where our mental health is or how much suffering we endure, God is with us.

Jeremiah 19- Jealous God

 

The devastation of this chapter is complete…God declares His plan to punish the Israelites for turning to other gods.  Worshipping in detestable ways their attention and devotion was aimed to other things.  This seems easy to avoid today as we don’t physically sacrifice animals to gods…but we do sacrifice time, money and our attention to many things that are not God…entertainment, pleasure or food are areas that can pull my focus away from Jesus.

Lord, help me to see where You would have me restore my focus to You…then give me the strength to actually do it.

Jeremiah 18- Sovereign God

 

God has a plan to prosper His people, which sometimes includes discipline when we are headed the wrong direction or following our own heart.  I am so thankful God is compassionate with me as I know too many times, I am stubbornly following my own plans…help me to Trust Your sovereign plan and follow You at every turn!

Jeremiah 17- God Speaks

 

We need healing & salvation every moment until we are glorified and in His presence.  He is offering that to each one of us, all we have to do is listen, receive His gift of grace and mercy…then follow Him.

Jeremiah 16- Punishment & Restoration

 

This heartbreaking chapter tells about how God has lost His patience and is finally sending the punishment that the people of Israel deserve…but He ends with a promise of restoration.  Lord in this time, when You are bringing My boy low, will You remind me of restoration.  Remind me of Your power and might, Your strength and reputation…You are a God of mercy and grace.

Jeremiah 15- God Is…

 

This chapter sees God speaking about what He will accomplish over and over again.  Much of it is focused on allowing destruction and punishment…but then Jeremiah pours out his heart.  And this is Gods answer of protection and restoration.  Interestingly, God doesn’t tell him that he will be free of trouble, but rather that he will enable him to endure the trial and redeem him.

Probably not very comforting, but so good to know that God is working…even in situations that seem hopeless.  Lord, help me to trust that you are at work, even when I don’t see it.

Jeremiah 14- Hope

 

Discipline is hard and punishment feels terrible…but Jeremiah reminds us that since it is God who metes out these things, there is hope.  Hope because of Gods character, who He is and the reason for it.  His intentions are to draw us into right thinking and obedience…not because He likes order, but because we can flourish within the boundaries He created.