A hope and an end

October 31

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29 - 30

Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.”

This is a verse that is been highly used. It has been used and misused over the years. It has a great depth of truth, just can be manipulated for the wrong reasons.

Textually, it is talking to Israel. Spiritually, it can speak to us today. Textually, it is God speaking to the nation in reassurance as they are going into a 70 yearlong period of captivity. They were not facing a “happy” time in life.

God is not promising them a bed of roses and peaceful times, He was telling them to brace themselves for a period of cleansing and restoration. The hope of the promise is that God always knows the best, and the end will be accomplished.

Prayer: Father, as I face the challenges in my life, let me be reminded of Your hand in control. I trust You through it all. Amen.

Chastisement and after

October 30

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 27 - 28

Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 27:22 – “They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be, until the day that I visit them, saith Jehovah; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.”

As I read this passage in Jeremiah, I stopped to think about the implications from this verse. Historically, God was speaking to the nation that they would go into captivity in the nation of Babylon – a message the people refused to heed.

But, as I meditated upon the passage, this verse came to me and I saw in it the hope and blessing of God. Sometimes He needs to chastise us for the wrong in our lives. Sometimes, the chastisement seems severe (and is). But, God’s purpose is to bring us back to Him. He used Babylon to capture His people, but all along He had planned to restore them. He does the same for us today.

Prayer: Loving Father, I do not enjoy Your chastening, but I know it is for my good. Amen.

Shepherds

October 29

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 25 - 26

Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 25:34 – “Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow in ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and ye shall fall like a goodly vessel.”

The Hebrew word for shepherd is a noun that refers to one who feeds and tends domestic animals. David, who himself was a shepherd, referred to God as his Shepherd in the familiar 23rd Psalm. God provides, sustains, and guides us much like an earthly shepherd. Kings and leaders were often referred to as a shepherd of their people.

Jeremiah here in this verse is rebuking the “shepherds,” or leaders of Israel who had failed in their responsibilities of caring for the people. Are you failing in your responsibility? Call on God to restore and refresh your “shepherding” today.

Prayer: Great Shepherd, guide, provide, and sustain me so that I can shepherd others. May You shine through me today. Amen.

To Know God

October 28

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 23 - 24

Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 24:7 – “And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”

Jeremiah is echoing the concept found throughout the Bible that the only way that person can be changed for the better is through knowing God.

We try to do better, we seek to turn over a new leaf, or we try to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps – all to no avail.

All the self-help books in the libraries and bookstores do not offer the only guaranteed method of change. Only the Bible shows us what it is. To understand and know God personally.

Prayer: God, I want to know You. I want to be close to You. I want to understand and follow Your ways. Today, as I commit to spending time in Your Word, direct and guide me. I know You will lead me. Amen.

Jesus the dâbâr

October 27

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 20 - 22

Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 20:8 – “For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day.”

The Hebrew word dâbâr comes from a verb that means “to speak.” It carries the meaning of the words or thing that was spoken. Sometimes they will use it to refer to the content or idea of what is said and will be translated matter or business. When used by the prophets (the word of the LORD), it points to the message as coming from God. Jeremiah uses this phrase more than any prophet in the Bible. He is conveying the authority of the message he is proclaiming to the people.

Prayer: Jesus, in the New Testament You are called the “Logos” or Word of God. You carry all authority and power; You lived and proclaimed the whole message of God. We bow before You today. May Your Honor and Majesty bless us in our lives. Amen.