So were the words of Jeremiah in his lament.  The heartbreaking words and descriptions he gives of the hardship he endured to be a faithful messenger for God are painfully expressed in the book of Lamentations.

Greater still the hardship our Savior endured to pay the penalty for our sin.  As we consider Christ’s suffering today, let us look with anticipation to tomorrow’s celebration of His Resurrection Life.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, thank You for laying in the tomb, bravely enduring all that death could inflict, rising to walk again, victoriously destroying sin’s sting.  Hallelujah, What A Savor!

DAILY READING:  Lam. 4,5

As Jeremiah describes the devastation of Jerusalem and her inhabitants by the armies of Babylon, one can only imagine the heartache experienced by all who loved her.  The prophet even described the event by likening her sin to a yoke, woven by God and harnessed to her shoulders to be carried as a burden.  [Lam. 1:14]

Isaiah foretold that the Savior will have “Borne our griefs and carried our sorrows … for the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  He took the yoke of grief and sorrow made to fit us, and wore it Himself and took it to His death on the cross.

We can live free from the grief sin brings because of His sacrifice.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, we live in gratitude for the painful death You suffered to free us from the weight and grief of sin.  We praise You today and everyday.

DAILY READING:  Lam. 1-3

George Beverly Shea, soloist for Billy Graham crusades, would often sing the well-known spiritual, “There is a Balm in Gilead.”

Historically, there was a rare perfume from the region of Gilead that was used medicinally as a universal cure.  Figuratively, the song is referring to Jesus Who is able to heal the sin sick soul.

As Christians, we know we can come to Jesus for ANY cure we need.  He is the Balm in Gilead.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, heal me and I will be healed.  Save me and I will be saved.  You are our true cure.

DAILY READING:  Jer. 51,52

This was the instruction Jeremiah gave to Baruch, his faithful scribe, in chapter 45. [v.5]

This is the same message Jesus gave in all four gospels,

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”  [Matt. 16:25]

Look for opportunities today to give yourself to others for the cause of Christ.  The Lord will lead you.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, I do trust You to lead me today.  Give me opportunities to be of service to others.  You’ve helped me.  I will now help others.

DAILY READING:  Jer. 46-50

Jeremiah was dropped into a cistern where he sank into the mud at the bottom.  God knew he was there, and provided able men to lift him out.  He couldn’t climb out.  He had to be lifted.

Sometimes we’re in a predicament we can’t climb out of.  The Psamilst said,                                       “I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
   He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
  He set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
  He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
  Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.”  [Ps. 40:1-3]

There may be a song in your future.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for Your arm of help when we need to be lifted.  We trust You today!

DAILY READING:  Jer. 36-40

One can get uneasy about the future when listening to news broadcasts, whether liberal or conservative.  It’s wise to realize that God directs the nations like we arrange cereal boxes on the shelf.  He has control.  Some are being used, some are empty and discarded, and some have yet to be opened.

The prophet Jeremiah was God’s mouthpiece, even when other prophets had conflicting declarations.  Let’s be careful what voices we listen to.  We can always trust God’s Word.

DAILY PRAYER;  Father, we find our refuge in Your Word and Your Kingdom.  Use us to be stabilizers to those around us.  We trust You.

DAILY READING:  Jer. 31-5

The prophet foretells of Christ Jesus when he declares,

“I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land …
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”   [Jer. 23:5,6]

All carnal leaders pale when contrasted to the Lord.  All Godly leaders who are true under-shepherds of Jesus allow God’s Spirit to shine through.

Paul said, “Be followers of me as I follow Christ.”  [1 Cor. 11:1]

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for setting in Godly leaders to care for Your flock.  You are the Great Shepherd of our souls.

DAILY READING:  Jer. 26-30

Yesterday I got “huffy” with an insurance adjuster who called to tell me that I would have to pay for any days beyond 4 for the rental car I was driving until my truck gets fixed at the body shop.

His seeming rudeness, my frustration over the inconvenience of having repairs done on an accident I didn’t cause … the seeming injustice of it all.  Yet, I KNEW I needed to apologize to him for my tone.  I did. Left a message.  Done.

If not, I knew I’d hear from the Lord about it.  He watches us closely.

Keep your account as clear as possible.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for making us sensitive to not be offensive to others.  We forgive as we are forgiven.

DAILY READING:  Jer. 21-5

Jeremiah’s message was ‘turn from your sin and other gods back to the real God, Jehovah.’  To set up other gods to trust in is inherently sinful.

When you trust in other gods, who will deliver you when disaster strikes?

Although we don’t necessarily have enemies attacking our homes, we may have the enemy of disease or financial hardship.

It would be so hard to go through a disease without the hope Christ brings, or the comfort and support of the Christian community.  It is good to be a Christian.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, forgive me for taking so many blessings for granted.  Reach out, through me, to others who don’t have a trusting relationship with You.

DAILY READING:  Jer. 16-20