When delivering his prophecy to Babylon about its demise, the prophet told God’s people to not lose heart.

May I apply his words to our lives? Regardless of the fate of all around us, God wants His people to rise above the challenges we face. Our reference is not the events in the news. Our reference is God’s Word. It does not change. It is not threatened. It will not be destroyed.

“Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.” Ps. 27:14

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, when all around me crumbles, I will trust in You. You are my defender. You are my hope.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 51

Regardless of whether all the prophecies against Babylon have been fulfilled, it is clear that she incurred the wrath of God for her arrogance and her aggression against His people.

God is actively aware of the injustices in the earth today. The Belgian bombings, the Paris bombings, similar acts of terrorism all around the earth are all under God’s scrutiny. Make no mistake, He always judges these acts of inhumanity and takes note of innocent suffering.

Remember, “The kingdoms of this world, they shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER.”

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, forgive us for becoming fearful as we see the terror in the earth. Our trust and hope is in YOU.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 50

God gave to Jeremiah specific prophesies about nations and people groups, based upon their response to God and His ways. “Measured punishment” indicates varying degrees of rebellion to which God equitably deals out His penalties.

All are subject to God’s scrutiny. His eyes observe the dealings of nations, companies, people groups. In Christ, we find exemption from the eternal consequences of sin, although we may encounter temporary distress from the laws of sowing and reaping.

Sow to righteousness.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, let Your Spirit within us be an influence for what’s right, even though our family or company or nation may be pulling away from You.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 49

Jeremiah’s message to his scribe, Baruch, was this; “Don’t seek great things for yourself.”

In essence, God had plays in motion, and Baruch’s ambition would simply put him at risk. God promised that He would let Baruch escape disaster by trusting the Lord.

God always knows what’s best for us. As we hold our place and do our best, the Lord is free to position us as He sees fit.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, forgive us for thinking we know what’s best. You do. We will trust and not be afraid.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 45-48

Jeremiah warned the remnant Jews to stay in the land of Judah and avoid fleeing to Egypt. It seemed safer than to stay and risk further devastation by the king of Babylon. Yet, the option that appeared safer was actually the dangerous one.

God’s life instructions insure that it will “Go well” for us. Appearances are often misleading. God knows what’s best. Pay attention to His leading.

DAILY PRAYER: Father in Heaven, lead us in the way everlasting. You are the great Shepherd of our souls. Keep us safe in the days to come.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 41-44

Jerusalem’s king and leaders refused to heed Jeremiah’s instructions to flee the city before the Babylonians came. Because they discredited him, they were either killed or humiliated.

God’s instructions to us are for our good. Pay attention to his servants. Pay attention to His Word.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, forgive us for our rebellions. Redeem us today. Heal our hearts and grace us to be obedient.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 38-40

Jeremiah suffered greatly for merely being faithful to record what God had spoken to him about the captivity. Nevertheless, he had the opportunity to live long enough to see his words come to pass.

We are wise to hold faithfully to God’s Word, even though it may bring pain. As we allow His truth to pierce our soul, we are  cleansed and given a path to restoration.

DAILY PRAYER: Father, let me hear clearly Your W0rds of Life. I build my life upon them.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 35-37

God’s new agreement with His people is not only new, it’s everlasting. Never more will Jerusalem be over-trodden. Never more will another earthly king be over the City of David.

The most inspiring element of the New Covenant is that God Himself will insure its success by Himself performing the responsibility of His people. “I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.” [Jer. 32:40]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, live in us. Dwell in us. Let Your righteousness be demonstrated through our lives. The glory belongs to You.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 32-34

How strange it must have been to the ears of Jews in the time of Jeremiah, the talk of a completely new agreement between God and His people. Instead of the law being written on stone or paper, it would be inscribed in their hearts. All would know the Lord instead of a select few. Little did they realize that the prophet was speaking of the relationship now available to New Testament believers.

Our response should be to take full advantage of this last days opportunity God has given us. We pray, “Lord, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done.”

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah not only prophesied the exile of the Jews, but the restoration. His spiritual vision included the natural restoration of Israel, but also the much more consequential restoration of the future Kingdom of God with Jesus as King.

God’s restoration process is so overwhelming that we can’t even compare the original. We merely remember from whence we have come and glorify God Who does all things well.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, I need a restoration. Into Your hands I commit my life and spirit.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 28-30