Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 17-20
I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins. Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry. – Jeremiah 15:17-18
At times the Lord allows us to distance ourselves from our “Judah” — the disaster that has formed around us due to sinful decisions and arrogant, godless living. We get to walk away and let them suffer the consequences of their sin, while we get to enjoy the blessings of choosing righteousness. But at times, God calls us to stay in “Jerusalem” and be used by Him in the lives of those who need to know there is hope in Christ. We know from Scripture that sometimes God’s children go through times of suffering, even when they are following His will for their lives.
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. – 2 Corinthians 6:4-5
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. – 2 Timothy 3:12
So, if following God does not guarantee us a life of peace, why do we continue to serve Him? If doing the right thing is not always rewarded in this life, why do we continue to obey?
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name. O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. – Jeremiah 15:16
So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. – 2 Timothy 2:10-12a
If we keep our eyes focused on Him during the difficult times, enduring the hardship of the calling He has placed on our lives, we will reign with Him! There is a wonderful reward for those who love God!
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
I WILL BLESS YOU. I WILL GIVE YOU JOY.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. – 1 Peter 1:6
…Be very glad – for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. – 1 Peter 4:13
I am going to stir a second helping of the words of God to Jeremiah into my morning coffee and choose to be glad no matter what the circumstances:
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
Lord, in you we put our trust. There are some who are reading this devotional who are going through a really difficult time. But you, O God, know everything about us. You knew us when you formed us in our mother’s womb and you know us now. You search our hearts and you know our struggles. You know our desire to serve you and you know our desire to experience your goodness. We pray that you will fill our hearts today with your hope and confidence. We pray that you will see the desires of our heart and fill us with what you desire for our lives. Bring us to a point of being in sync with the beat of your heart, for we love you more than we love the comforts of this world. We desire to chase after your perfect plan for our lives. Please give us joy in our pursuit of you as we claim your promises this morning:
I know you.
I will watch over you.
I am on the move.
I will answer you.
I am with you.
I will give you joy.
Amen.