Jeremiah 26:1-27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16
The Nation
of Israel, specifically Judah, is coming to an end. Jeremiah is preaching in
the last years before the Nation will be conquered by Babylon. Jeremiah has
such a difficult task—he is to announce gloom and doom to the people of Judah
though they will not listen. And he does this for about fifty years. What an
example of faithfulness and perseverance.
In today’s
reading, Jeremiah tells the envoys of the nations of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre
and Sidon that they, too, like Judah, will be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, king
of Babylon (Jer. 27:3-7). Presumably, they greet this news in much the same way
that Judah does: with disdain and disregard.
In 2 Thessalonians,
Paul asks the church to pray for him that the Word of God would spread rapidly
and be honored. And he asks them to pray that he would be delivered from wicked
and evil men (2 Th. 3:1-2).
When I see
the evil that is in our society, I am encouraged to read of these godly men who
followed the Lord through very tough times. They were faithful to preach and
teach God’s Word, though in Jeremiah’s case the results were meager.
Psalm 85:6
is a verse I’ve memorized as it brings hope to me in a culture moving away from
God: “Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in You?”
Our nation
needs revival. I have often prayed for that I might see a revival during my
lifetime. I feel less hopeful that it will happen than I did when I began to pray
that many years ago. Yet God is still on the throne. “Show us your unfailing
love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation” (Ps. 85:7).
Lord, I’m
grateful that righteous men and women went before me and have shown me that it
is possible to stand for You in a godless and pagan world. Give me wisdom and
courage, I pray, O God. And will you revive us, O Lord, that we may rejoice in
You?
- Nell
Sunukjian
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