God Speaks
God’s Messages of Judgment Against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Elam and Babylon
Verse of the Day: [But there is a word of hope for the people of Israel.] This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go. Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is His name. He will victoriously defend their cause so that He may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. (Jeremiah 50:33-34 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 235
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 49-50:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Jeremiah 49
1. God will punish various nations according to how they have treated His people. His judgment will be severe.
2. Wicked people have been deceived by the fear they inspire in others and by their own pride.
Jeremiah 50
1. God appoints the leaders He chooses. For who is like Him, and who can challenge Him? What ruler can oppose His will?
2. At the appointed time, the people of Israel and Judah (and all those united with Christ) will return home in their own land. They will come weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will admit that they have sinned against the LORD, their true place of rest and the hope of their ancestors.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 49-50?
O Sovereign LORD God, because You created the universe and all that is in it, You get to set the rules. You choose the leaders You want in each nation or people group. No one could ever challenge You. No ruler could ever oppose You without ultimately suffering severe consequences, perhaps for eternity. Your major concern is how human beings respond to Your love, mercy, and grace and how we treat each other with the same. Wicked people seek power, control, and to instill fear in others. They are filled with pride and arrogance (even against You and Your ways). In Your time and in Your way, You will deal with them. In contrast, You will pour Your love, mercy, and grace into those who turn to You in repentance, weeping and seeking You as the LORD their God. When we admit that we have sinned against You, LORD, You will be our true place of rest, the hope of our ancestors and our descendants. You promise to bring us to dwell with You for all eternity, and we will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Jeremiah 49-50? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray for the people of Israel to be kept safe and to find peace with God, with each other, and with other nations.
- I will praise the LORD God that there is no one in any way like Him.
- I will tell my physical and spiritual leaders how much I appreciate them–specifically, my pastor and small group leader-teacher.
- I will check my attitudes and actions to make sure that I am not bullying others or being prideful. If I am, I will ask the LORD to forgive me and help me to change.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.