Jeremiah 19-22

Jeremiah 19-22 is more really bad news for God's people.

When it rains, it pours.  For Judah and Jerusalem, that means sword, plague, and famine are about to wipe people out along with the Babylonians who are going to capture the remaining survivors and force them to live in exile.

And as I read today, I know that's putting it nicely.

God offers His people mercy and redemption again and again, a way out of this downward spiral.  Even though people hear God's words through Jeremiah, they don't let them bring new life to their days.

It's a shame.  God's powerful promises are right in front of them.  All people have to do is know God to really "get it."  It would make such a difference.

God explains what is at the heart of knowing Him and following Him as He speaks about King Josiah, one of Israel's great kings.

"He defended the cause of the poor and needy,

  and so all went well.

Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 22:16

It hit me that even though all of this is extremely intimidating to read, God is not what is scary and hard to handle.

Spending life without God, not knowing Him, is scary and near impossible.  That's the reality.

That's also where we can find hope in today's reading for our own lives.

Why?

Thanks to Jesus, it's never too late.  We can never fall so far from God that He can't help us.  He's right here with open arms longing to satisfy our every need and more with His love and grace.

And as we turn to God to satisfy our every need, God empowers us to bless others in need.

I want to wrap up today's reading with a song by a Christian band called Unspoken.  The name of it is "Who You Are".  Enjoy.

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for sending Jesus into the world and into my life to be a living example of Your love for us.

Forgive me for all the ways I allow my own ways to keep me from following Jesus' example.  Help me surrender all that I am to You, Lord.  Help me to fully know You and Your will for me, moment to moment, day to day.

And as I go out into the world, empower me by Your Holy Spirit to share the love of Christ with others.  

Guide me because I am so easily overwhelmed by the enormity of the needs around me.  Break my purpose down step by step, Lord.  You know me.  

I pray to You today about ______________________.  He/she/it is in Your hands.

You are our Rock and our Redeemer forever.

In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit I pray,

Amen

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit*, today and always,

**from Romans 15:13

This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.