Jer. 52; Lamentations 1 [The Message]

God allowed Babylon to devastate and burn Jerusalem because of the repeated rebellions His People pained Him with. It’s no different today. The rebellious nature of many Jews comes back to haunt them.

If they would only accept Christ as their Messiah. His mercy and forgiveness could spare them all their pain. His blood cleans us and keeps us clean before the Father.

Devastation gives way to RESTORATION!

Jer. 51 [The Message]

Although Jeremiah was focused primarily upon the Babylonian dynasty, the world has seen many come and go. They are a family or group that maintains power through several generations. The House of Windsor, Britain’s ruling family, is an example of a dynasty.

They are judged on the character of their rule. God deals with each in the way they deserve.

Our allegiance and membership in God’s Family is an association with an eternal dynasty that will trump them all. We can be grateful that Christ Jesus is an all-powerful, yet meek and kind king who truly loves and sustains His subjects.

All Hail, King Jesus!

Jer. 50 [The Message]

Seemingly invincible nations eventually fall. Babylon ruled the world and sat on top of the heap. But, God always has the last word. Jeremiah predicted that she would fall and NEVER AGAIN be inhabited. Saddam Hussein tried to resurrect the city and reputation but failed.

Once God has doomed something, it’s over. Then, He takes over.

… there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. [Rev. 11:15]

Jer. 47-50 [The Message]

Jeremiah’s usual message was hard but redemptive. There was more correction than direction. More warning than warming. His was often a harsh, but necessary word from God.

If you are headed somewhere, and you are on a tight schedule, don’t you appreciate someone telling you, “You’re headed in the wrong direction?” It’s like a football team that is trying to reach the opposite goal line. Correction is a necessary component of being correct.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. [Pr. 27:6]

Jer. 46, 47 [The Message]

People groups can form a city or a nation. They answer to God for their conduct and how they respond to His messengers.

The book of Revelation has much to say about God dealing with the nations and their response to Christ. We must keep praying for the nation we find ourselves in. Christ wept over the condition of the nations.

Jer. 45, 46 [The Message]

Jeremiah addresses the conflict when the Babylonian army invaded Egypt. He describes the terror the Egyptians experienced when an innumerable enemy army attacked them … fear, cowardice, humiliation. He had predicted this slaughter. The unwise Judeans who had fled to Egypt should have heeded his advice to stay in Israel.

The terror and horror of combat is something we hope our boys never experience. I was trained for combat but fortunately never experienced it. I lost friends in the Vietnam war. Dodging bullets and incoming mortar rounds is a frightful thought. I’d rather have Ukrainian soldiers dodging Putin’s bullets than our boys.

Jer. 40-44 [The Message]

To Jeremiah was given the difficult task of relaying stiff warnings from God to the remnant in Judah. They all wanted to flee to Egypt, thinking they would be safe from the wars and tragedies befallen Israel during the Babylonian captivity. However God warned them through Jeremiah that they would all meet their doom. It was true.

Sometimes relaying God’s message is difficult. Sometimes there are hard words that need to be shared. God will speak through whomever is truly listening to Him. A hard message needs to be shared in love.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. [Pr. 27:6]

Jer. 39 [The Message]

Of note is what God said to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem … “Yes, I’ll most certainly save you. You won’t be killed. You’ll walk out of there safe and sound because you trusted me.”

Destruction can be happening all around, but we who trust the Lord will be safe. God has myriads of angels who do His bidding. They look out for us, the heirs of salvation. We can face the future with confidence, no matter what the threat.

Jer. 37, 38 [The Message]

Jeremiah suffered greatly because he gave prophecies that were not popular. Prison, a mud-bottom cistern, courtyard detainment etc. He paid a painful price for being faithful to God.

Life does that sometimes. We get in trouble for doing what God wants us to. Jeremiah will no doubt have received a glorious reward in Heaven.

James tells us to count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.

Jesus said, “ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” [Matt. 5:11, 12]

Jer. 36 [The Message]

Baruch wrote down what Jeremiah had heard from the Lord. Because of it, we have the Book of Jeremiah.

Write down what God says to you. If you pay attention to Him and take good care of what He says, you will get more. Maybe you need to start a journal. For me, this devotional has accomplished that. In essence, I have a record of over 8 years of daily inspirations. God has ALWAYS been faithful to give me inspiration to live by.