God Speaks
In Spite of Opposition Jeremiah Advisized King Zedekiah to Surrender; Gedaliah Led Those Left Behind
Verse of the Day: [In the midst of difficuty, people should surrender to the LORD. This is what Jeremiah told Ebed-Melek the Cushite.] “‘. . . I am about to fulfill my words against this city–words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be given into the hands those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.'” (Jeremiah 39: 16b-18 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 38-40 and Psalms 74 and 79:
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 38
1. Only God knows the future and the best course of action even if it doesn’t make sense to us. He rewards with (eternal) life those who obey Him.
2. People should pay attention and do whatever the LORD God says is right.
Jeremiah 39
1. In accordance with His plans, God causes even their enemies to care for His faithful servants as in the case of Jeremiah and King Nebuchadnezzar. God also rewards those who trust in Him and take care of and defend His prophets like Ebed-melech did for Jeremiah.
2. Sometimes the poorest people in the land fare better than the rich ruling class because they are useful to keep things going and growing.
Jeremiah 40
1. God sometimes reveals His reasoning, plans, and purposes to even the enemies of His people. In this case He told Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard for Babylon, the reason that He had allowed Babylon to capture and destroy Judah and Jerusalem.
2. People like Gedaliah don’t always believe the good advice they are given but suffer for it later.
Psalm 74
This psalm opens with two questions: “O God, why have You rejected us so long? Why is Your anger so intense against the sheep of Your own pasture?” The author of this blog contends that it is because rebellious people and their destructive ideologies have overtaken the God-leanings of so many people. The rest of the psalm emphasizes and calls into action the great power and sovereignty of the Lord God.
Psalm 79
The LORD God can be counted on to pour out His wrath on nations or people who refuse to acknowledge Him or do not call on His name. When faced with disasters such as invasions, famine and/or cruel treatment, God’s people should cry out to Him and proclaim His praise.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 38-40 and Psalms 74 and 79?
O Great and Awesome God who is beyond time, You see everything in the eternal now. You know what is awaiting us in the future and the best course to take to achieve Your goals and objectives. Please help me to do what You say even if I don’t understand, and it doesn’t make sense to me. I know that you will reward me with life now or in eternity if I remain faithfully obedient. May Your servants in difficult places find favor with their supervisors, even their captors. May the people who keep things going and growing be respected whether they are rich or poor. LORD God, please show people in positions of authority what is true or false about advice they are given, then enable them to take appropriate, God-directed action. Please show those who need to know Your reasons behind the critical situations of our day. Please provide everything Your servants need for life and godliness in order to carry out the tasks You have assigned to them. Please reward those who assist Your servants in some way. In all things may we bring You glory, LORD. O LORD, Your rejection (or at least the setting aside) of the people You created is justified because of their rejection of You, but You always preserve a remnant. The psalmist of Psalm 74, called on You to remember (decide to take action) “the people You chose long ago, the tribe You redeemed as Your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, Your home here on earth.” I call on You, Jesus, to rise up and act in my day just as he did in his. Your people and principles are being attacked in this day just as they were in his. Your people are being persecuted, churches and whole villages are being attacked, destroyed, and burned, and Your believers are being martyred. I beg You to send again Your miraculous signs and raise up prophets to guide Your people to safety in You. You, O God, are our king from ages past. Bring salvation on the earth! You are the great God who split the sea. In the past You brought forth water from the Rock in the wilderness. Both the day and the night belong to You. You made it all, even the seasons. Please stop Your enemies from insulting You. Don’t forget Your suffering people forever. Remember Your covenant promises, for the whole earth is full of darkness and violence! Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead let the poor and needy praise Your name. Arise, O God, and defend Your cause. No longer let them insult Your holy name. Dear God who is commander of Heaven’s Armies, please defend Your people, wherever they are, from any kind of attack: physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Help us, O God and only Savior. Help us for the glory of Your name. Save us and forgive our many sins for the honor of Your name (reputation). Pour out Your justified wrath on Your enemies and ours. Avenge the blood and lives of the innocent and set the prisoners free. Demonstrate Your great power by saving those condemned to die through no fault of their own. As a result of this intervention, You will be praised and thanked from generation to generation, and You will receive great glory forever,, 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 38-40 and Psalms 74 and 79? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray for God’s servants in difficult places to find favor with their supervisors or captors.
- I will show respect for the people who keep things going and growing whether they are rich or poor.
- I will ask God to show me what is true about advice I am given and then do as He directs.
- I will investigate the companies that my money is invested in to see if they support policies and actions that are unbiblical.
- I will pray for the salvation of those who oppose God, His ways, His word, and His people.
- I will look for ways I can assist in leading the downtrodden to praise the name of the LORD.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.