Jerusalem and its temple were brought to ruins. The unpopular message of the prophet identified sin as the cause. He rightly concluded that the Lord’s prevailing mercy and compassion would eventually reveal His plan to redeem His people back to Himself. Thereby, the lives and hearts of His people were far more important to Him than the buildings and city they dwelt in.

Jesus Christ likewise suffered His body to be destroyed on the cross, but the Father’s eternal mercy and compassion were revealed through His resurrection and Lordship. Again, the pattern of destruction of flesh but the redemption of hearts.

Our hearts are what God’s after.

PRAYER: Father, Your eternal purposes have been displayed through the redemption You offered to us through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We believe. We receive.

READING: Lam. 2,3

The armies of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem according to Jeremiah’s prophecy. The prophet composes a heart rending lament to express the grief being experienced by all who love the city and knew it in its prime.

This picture is played out in the lives of souls who have been devastated by sin. Yet, God’s mercy also factors in when strong saints who feel the Lord’s heartbeat of restoration begin ministering to those broken and devastated by sin. God calls us “Ministers of Reconciliation.”  [2 Cor. 5:18]

PRAYER: Father, give us the eyes of Your Spirit to see those around us in need of rebuilding and reconciliation. Give us the boldness to prayerfully begin ministering Your love to them. Heal the from the inside out.

READING: Jer. 52, Lamentations 1

Jeremiah 51 in its entirety is a description of God’s retribution against Babylon. Cited are the sins of this great nation and the methods God used to bring her down.  All the while she was indulging in her self-serving conquests, God was calculating her discipline and its method.

We see injustices all around us and think God pays no attention. Quite the opposite, God is keeping account of the deeds of all and will repay. It’s good that He is slow to anger. None of us would be left standing had He issued immediate justice.

PRAYER: Father of mercy and judgement, we are awed by Your great power. We are even more awed by Your great mercy that withheld judgment upon us while we were yet in our sin. Your love through Christ overrules Your retribution.

READING: Jer. 51

Babylon the Great was the ruling nation of the world, yet God brought her down. She was judged by Him and found guilty of sinning against the Lord. He gave the power to other nations to defeat her, never to rise again.

There are contemporary nations such as China and Russia that seem to flex their military muscle attempting to bring fear upon the rest of the world. The Christian MUST NOT FEAR, but trust in the Lord to execute vengeance upon His foes. Every nation is subject to the Lord, and He has their leaders upon a leash. Therefore, it is pointless to fear.

Jesus said, “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” [Jn. 16:33]

PRAYER: Father, keep us safe in a world that gets crazy. We will keep our eyes upon You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. As we walk in victory, give us opportunity to minister to those in fear around us.

READING: Jer. 50

Jeremiah uttered prophecies to specific people groups (Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites) giving indication of God’s directive influence upon them. It’s as if the groups had a spiritual identity like an individual would.

This understanding is helpful as it gives the contemporary believer insight into developing prayer and evangelism strategies in reaching people groups. Paul said he was “All things to all men” in order that he might win some.

Prayer focuses, mission trips, missionary giving … these are methods of reaching people groups for the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, You love the world and all the people groups. We begin by praying for them. Move upon us to take progressive steps of ministry for the sake of the Gospel.

READING: Jer. 47-49

As one hears the disastrous outcomes of nations that reject the Lord, we conclude that trusting in the Lord is the only real security one has. God has all enemies on a leash and can turn them as He wills. Being in right relationship with Him is most important.

As the U.S. currently navigates tricky relations with its foes … North Korea, Syria, Russia, China … God’s people need to pray and humbly ask God to preserve us and use us to do His will. Although the Body of Christ has members all over the world, we are obeying the scripture, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you …” [Jer. 29:7]

PRAYER: Father, in You we put our trust. Heal and protect our land. Bring revival. We pray for our enemies that too would come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

READING: Jer. 44-46

Jeremiah was left in the land of Israel after the Babylonians had debilitated the nation, put it’s king’s eyes out, and carried him off to captivity as was prophesied. He took up with the leader who had been appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to govern in the absence of the former regime. Although this leader was mercilessly murdered, Jeremiah became the voice of God to the remnant still in the land.

When things are crumbling all around us, running or hiding is not the answer. Holding our place, seeking the Lord, and lending stability to every situation is an honorable thing to do. “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mt. Zion which abides forever and cannot be removed.” [Ps. 125]

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, use us as a stabilizing factor wherever we may be. As we demonstrate our trust in You, being peace to all who surround us. We will be Your representatives.

READING: Jer. 39-43

Although Jeremiah was faithful to declare God’s counsel to Jerusalem’s inhabitants, he suffered a great deal. Dropped into a dungeon, dropped into a muddy cistern, treated like a traitor … these are examples of the reward for speaking a message that was hard to hear.

The silver lining was that his advice for Jerusalem’s people to relinquish to the Babylonians rather than resist was what kept them alive.

Obedience to God’s Word ALWAYS gives life rather than death. Hiding from His Word will ALWAYS end in destruction.

PRAYER: Father,give us ears to hear Your Word. Give us grace to be obedient. Use us to turn those around us to You and Your redemption.

READING: Jer. 36-38

Jeremiah was given the task of confronting Judah’s king and its inhabitants with his prophecy and warning … turn from your wicked ways or suffer the penalty. When King Johoikim heard Jeremiah’s words from a scroll, he commanded it to be burned in the fire and for the prophet and his scribe to be killed.

Often the truth really hurts and isn’t well received by those violating it. Nevertheless, it must be spoken. God in Heaven always has messengers who will faithfully declare His counsel. It’s an honorable job to speak for the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, give us the boldness and compassion to speak truth for You. Your ways are true. Ours are not. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness by the blood of the Lamb.

READING: Jer. 33-35

To Jeremiah was given the privilege to prophesy the return to Zion of the exiles and the restoration of their fortunes. God appeared to have forsaken His people for a season, allowing them to suffer under the rule of Babylon, but it was always in His heart to see them return to the land He had eternally given to Abraham and his descendants.

Christ Himself suffered the pain and disgrace of being forsaken for a moment by His Heavenly Father, but also the joy and fulfillment of becoming the ultimate Lamb of God, slain for the sins of all mankind.

God’s plan is always to ultimately restore the fortunes of His people. His greatest gift to His people is HIMSELF.

PRAYER: Father of Lights and all mankind, continue to have Your tender mercy upon Your people. Forgive us for our backslidings. Restore us to the glory You have purchased for us through Christ’s death on Mt. Calvary. We put all our trust in You.

READING: Jer. 32,33