Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 37-38

God gave one man the opportunity to save the city of Jerusalem from destruction. King Zedekiah was given the chance to surrender to God by surrendering to the Babylonians, saving his own life and sparing Jerusalem from being burned to the ground. He could have changed history; he could have saved his people. But out of fear, the king chose to ignore God’s message and keep Jeremiah in prison. In great selfishness, Zedekiah put his own needs above the needs of the people he was called to lead (Jeremiah 38:17-28).

BUT GOD HAD PUT A PLAN IN MOTION THAT THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN COULD NOT STOP.

God had a plan to use one man to bring his people back into a covenant relationship with Him. Through the obedience of this one man came the gift of salvation; from the sacrifice of God’s only Son came a new and life-giving way.

“The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will NOT be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves a wife,” says the Lord. “But this is the NEW COVENANT I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people…And I will forgive them their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” – Jeremiah 31:31-34

These words of God are repeated in Hebrews 8:8-12 and explained in Hebrews 9 & 10, helping us understand that the new covenant was put in place when Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins. Let’s look at Paul’s words in his letter to Rome.

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” – Romans 8:3

SIN NO LONGER HAS CONTROL OVER US BECAUSE OF THE OBEDIENCE OF GOD’S SON.

But why did the temple have to be destroyed? Why didn’t God preserve Jerusalem and simply exile the people to foreign lands, giving them the opportunity to come back in 70 years to a city intact? The writer of Hebrews explained why the temple and its traditions had to be destroyed just as Jeremiah prophesied:

That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth…When these things were in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use. – Hebrews 9:1,6-8

With the old covenant, God’s people were not given access to freely enter His presence as we are given now. Because Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins by the power of the eternal Spirit, He mediates a new covenant with God as he appears before God on our behalf.

By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. – Hebrews 10:20-22a

LET’S GO RIGHT INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITH SINCERE HEARTS FULLY TRUSTING HIM.

So here I am today, enjoying my morning coffee in the presence of a God I can trust and it all goes back to the time we have studied as we read through 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, as well as the books of the prophets and now the book of Jeremiah. The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple Solomon built led the way to a new and everlasting covenant through the death of the perfect sacrifice – Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for writing this covenant on my heart. You have given me one heart and one purpose — to worship you forever! You have placed a desire in my heart to worship you and I will never leave you! I will find joy in doing good for you because you find joy in doing good for me. I will serve you faithfully and wholeheartedly because you are a faithful and wholehearted God! Lord, I soak in your presence this morning with a sincere heart, fully trusting you! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 35-36, Psalm 50

When we choose a spouse, we are not only getting a husband or wife, we are getting a whole family! Some of you are already laughing because you know the hard core truth of that statement. The love of your life comes with parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. They come with their traditions, their norms and their expectations. So when I said my vows to Scott, I was also making a commitment to become a Sherwood. I love them with all my heart. They are my people.

“I will be their God and they will be my people.” – Exodus 6:7

These are the powerful words of God when He made a covenant with His people; this is the promise Moses held onto as he went to Pharaoh with the command to let His people go. It is not a coincidence that God uses these words again through the prophet Jeremiah as His people are once more entering captivity. He reminds them that, just as He rescued them from Egypt, He has plans to deliver them from the exile they are beginning in Babylon.

We may read right over those words without thinking much of them, but to the people of Judah, “I will be their God and they will be my people” meant something. It reminded them of their covenant with God to obey His commandments, the first of which they broke over and over again: “You must not have any other god before me” (Exodus 20:3).

“The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will NOT be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves a wife,” says the Lord. “But this is the NEW COVENANT I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people…And I will forgive them their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” – Jeremiah 31:31-34

I WILL PUT MY INSTRUCTIONS DEEP WITHIN THEM, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.

This new covenant would not be written on stone tablets; it would be written on their hearts. The old covenant required obedience and faithfulness to the God who was willing to meet with their leader on the mountain while they stayed at a distance. The new covenant would be deep within each individual child of God, written on their hearts as each one had the opportunity to experience a personal God living within them.

What a God of restoration we serve! God’s people were experiencing the fury of God while He equipped Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and take His people captive for 70 years. Yet, in the midst of this sentencing, God was expressing love and promising to bring them home again starting over with a new covenant that would draw them closer to Him instead of pushing them away – a covenant that would last forever!

“They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an EVERLASTING COVENANT with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.” – Jeremiah 32:38-41

I WILL NEVER STOP DOING GOOD FOR THEM.

Oh the heart of a God who loves us that much! He finds joy in doing good for us, even when we have a history of walking away from Him. He puts a desire in our heart to worship and serve Him. He is a God of justice who calls us to follow Him and live out the righteousness His Spirit is producing inside of us, and He is also a God of grace and mercy who pursues the restoration of our relationship with Him. He is the kind of God who can look at His rebellious children and say, “I will be your God and you will be my people.”

“Bring my faithful people to me—
those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”
Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,
for God himself will be the judge. – Psalm 50:5-6

“If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the path of salvation.” – Psalm 50:23b

Father God, we thank you for the patience you reveal to us over and over again. Forgive us for the many times we have disappointed you with our selfishness and sinful choices. Forgive us for the times when we have gotten so wrapped up in the things of this world that we have lost the focus we once had on you. Lord, we thank you for the sacrifice that you made in order that we might live in relationship with you. Your goodness and your love have washed over us once again this morning as we lift our voices in surrender to you — You will be our God and we will be your people! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 32–34

A big part of Jeremiah’s message to the people of Judah was that there was HOPE FOR THEIR FUTURE. Jeremiah wanted the people to know they could trust God and that this return to Jerusalem someday was possible because nothing was too difficult for God. What a great message to sweeten the bitterness of my morning coffee.

God told Jeremiah to buy a piece of land that Jeremiah’s cousin was going to ask him to purchase from him. He wanted Jeremiah to do this in order to show the people that he trusted God and fully believed the Promised Land would once again be theirs. As you can imagine, for anyone to purchase land at this point in the battle would appear very foolish yet what Jeremiah was doing was MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE THAT GOD WAS PROMISING – that’s how much he trusted his God!

DO WE TRUST GOD THAT MUCH?

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and the earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!… You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles… You have made your name famous to this day. You brought Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, with a strong hand and powerful arm, and with overwhelming terror. You gave the people of Israel this land that you had promised their ancestors long before – a land flowing with milk and honey.

Our ancestors came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or follow your word. They have not done anything you commanded. That is why you have sent this terrible disaster upon them…Everything has happened just as you said. And yet, O Sovereign Lord, you have told me to buy the field – paying good money for it before these witnesses — even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians.” – Jeremiah 32:17-25

This sounds like a conversation we might have with God at times. We boldly point out to God how ridiculous it is that He would ask us to do ______________________when we are in the midst of ___________________. Go ahead and fill in the blanks for how that applies to your life right now. God is calling us to trust in His promises, just as He wanted Jeremiah to show his trust in his God.

Then the message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:26

TRUST IN GOD, WHO CAN DO ANYTHING!

This is the same question God asked Sarah when she struggled to believe in His promise that she would bear children, even at her age (Genesis 18:14). She quickly learned that God can be trusted to keep His promise.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. — Hebrews 10:23

And this is what God was promising His people at this time as they were gathering everything they could from within the city of Jerusalem to strengthen the walls against the siege ramps, trying hard to fight the Babylonians and resist captivity:

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns. I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellions. Then this city will bring me joy, glory and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them.” – Jeremiah 33:6-9

ENTER INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND TRUST HIM.

What battle are you fighting right now? I pray you are reminded this morning that we serve a God who heals, restores, rebuilds, cleanses and forgives. I encourage you to enter into the presence of your God and trust that nothing is too hard for Him!

What is God asking you to do today to show that you trust Him, regardless of the circumstances in your life? Enter into the presence of your God and listen closely with a heart willing to obey.

What is your answer to God when He asks, “Is anything too hard for me?” Enter into the presence of your God and seek the answer to that question.

Nothing is too hard for our God. He wants us to enter into His presence, trust in His promises and give Him every situation we are facing. He wants us to remember how He conquered death and believe in His power to conquer anything. Let’s go to Him with sincere hearts, fully trusting in our great and mighty God.

By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, LET US GO RIGHT INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD with sincere hearts fully trusting him. – Hebrews 10:20-22a

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 27-31

“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the Lord. “I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him. Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Mark well the path by which you came. Come back again…” – Jeremiah 31:20-21

These verses sum up the prophecies of Jeremiah well. Because God loves, he punishes. Because He is our Father, he longs for us to respond to punishment so that He can have mercy on us. He wants us to find our way back to Him. This is why Jesus died on the cross for us, in order that we could experience forgiveness and restoration. This is why He rose again — to give us hope for our future!

Jeremiah is a difficult book to read. It’s hard to hear chapter after chapter of the painful consequences God’s people suffered due to their sin and unfaithfulness. But there are several chapters here in the middle of Jeremiah that speak strongly of God’s love and His mercy – of HOPE FOR THE FUTURE of God’s people.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

When we take this verse and study the context of the time in which it was originally spoken, it does not take away from its meaning but rather enhances how we can apply this verse to our lives. God’s people had been unfaithful generation after generation, and He was handing them over to the King of Babylon as a consequence of their sin. After bringing them into the promised land of Canaan, after 40 years of wandering in the desert, and then dwelling among them in the beautiful temple Solomon had built, God was taking away His gift and sending them into exile for a period of 70 years as a punishment for their sins.

At the time Chapter 29 was written, the attack on Judah and Jerusalem had been going on for years. Thousands of the Israelites had already been captured and exiled to Babylon, but many (including Jeremiah) were imprisoned in the heart of Jerusalem while the attack on the city continued. After years of proclaiming the MESSAGE of PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES, now God had a MESSAGE of HOPE for His people. God wanted them to know He loved them, and that their time of pain and suffering would not last forever — that He had a plan to bring them back, a plan to bless their lives once again.

Let’s read through these verses of hope and allow God to speak to our hearts. To get the full message, I encourage you to read through Jeremiah 29-31. I have pulled a few verses and phrases that speak to my heart. I pray that as you read them the Spirit will fill you with the message God has for you today.

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce…Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper…”

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity…” – Jeremiah 29:5,7,10-14a, NIV

“I will restore…For I will bring you home again…For I am with you and will save you…I will give you back your health and heal your wounds…There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving and I will multiply my people, not diminish them…You will be my people and I will be your God.” – Jeremiah 30:3,10,11,17,19,22

I love this part! Even in the midst of suffering, God promises His people that they will find blessings:

“Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel…I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will be happy again and dance merrily with your tambourines…Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care….The Lord, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock…Their life will be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows will be gone…I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing…Do not weep any longer…There is hope for your future,” says the Lord…”For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing” (Jeremiah 31:2-4,9-10, 12-13, 16-17, 25, NLT).

THERE IS HOPE FOR YOUR FUTURE.

This is a wonderful promise for those who have walked away from God’s perfect plan and are wondering what comes next. There are often natural consequences to our sin, to a life of doing what we want to do instead of following God’s plan for our lives. But God’s plan does not go away! When we seek Him with our whole hearts, we will find Him! Even in the midst of suffering the results of our sin, God will be with us and we will see His blessings in our lives. He will restore us and bring us joy. He has a plan.

It’s time to stop resisting God’s plan for our lives. If you seek Him, He will be found and there will be HOPE for your future. Lord, I thank you for the hope you give us even in the darkest of situations. I thank you for your love for us that is revealed when you restore and renew us. Thank you for being the God who gives rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing. Help us to trust you and find hope for our future. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 23-26

After 23 years of proclaiming the message of repentance to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, Jeremiah made it clear to God’s people what was about to happen and why. He had been warning them to turn from the evil road they were traveling, to stop the evil things they were doing, and to quit provoking the anger of God, but they would not listen. Therefore, God was allowing King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to come in and destroy life as they knew it.

I will take away your happy singing and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard. Your millstones will fall silent, and the lights in your homes will go out. This entire land will become a wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. – Jeremiah 25:10-11

The Lord gave Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs sitting in front of the temple in Jerusalem. One basket was full of fresh, ripe figs; the other basket was filled with figs too rotten to eat. The first basket represented those who had been exiled to Babylon and God had a word of hope for them:

A WORD OF HOPE

“I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” – Jeremiah 24:6-7

The basket of rotten figs represented the king of Judah, his officials, and those left behind in Jerusalem or Egypt. God would make them an object of horror. They would be disgraced and mocked, taunted and cursed. They would experience war, famine, and disease. God had had enough!

A WORD OF JUSTICE

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people — the shepherds of my sheep — for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:1

After the 70 years of exile, God would gather His people together and give them new leaders — responsible shepherds who would care for them. But those who had led God’s people to this place of destruction would themselves be destroyed. This included the prophets who were claiming to speak the words of the Lord without hearing from God. They were saying, “God told me this” or “I heard from God and He said this” without taking the time to listen to what God wanted them to say. But God was listening to them carelessly run their mouths.

“Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared to listen?…If they had stood before me and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds. Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord. “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:18, 22-24

We see clearly in these chapters that we serve a God of justice who is jealous when we serve something other than Him and who is angry when we are self-serving at the expense of others. He does not tolerate our misrepresentation of Him and He will not stand by and let leaders deceive His people — to destroy and scatter the very ones they are expected to care for.

But we also see in the book of Jeremiah that we serve a God of love and mercy who plans for the redemption of His people. He cares about us when we turn away from him; He pursues us for the sake of our salvation. Even as God was declaring the consequences of their sinful actions, He was unveiling His plan to redeem them through a Savior. Jeremiah’s message of hope for God’s people included prophecy regarding a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will rule with wisdom and his name will be “The Lord is Our Righteousness” (23:5-6).

A WORD OF MERCY

Now this is what the Lord says: “I will uproot from their land all the evil nations reaching out for the possession I gave my people Israel. And I will uproot Judah from among them. But afterward I will return and have compassion on all of them. I will bring them home to their own lands again, each nation to its own possession. — Jeremiah 12:14-15

“But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you.” – Jeremiah 26:13

This God we serve — the God of justice and the God of mercy — is a God of forgiveness if we will only repent and begin living in obedience. He is a jealous God because He is a loving God. This God of punishment is also the God who would leave the ninety-nine to go in pursuit of the one who is lost. What a privilege it is to serve this God! What a joy it is to share my morning coffee with one who loves me that much!

Today’s Reading: Daniel 3; Psalm 26

When God revealed the meaning of the dream, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that Daniel’s God is the greatest of gods. He did not recognize God as the ONLY true God, just that He was the Most High of all gods. He did not accept that God was the only one to be worshiped.

In his arrogance, Nebuchadnezzar made a 90 foot by 90 foot gold statue in the province where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in leadership (the base of this statue would have been much bigger than a basketball court). He commanded that everyone bow and worship this statue.

Once more, these three young men were given the opportunity to choose excellence, even when faced with the possibility of death. King Nebuchadnezzar may not have recognized who the only true God is, but these young men did. Their new positions of authority and power did not boost their pride, rather they remained humbly faithful to their God. They refused to bow to the statue.

COURAGE — EVIDENCE OF EXCELLENCE IN THEIR ACTIONS

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” – Daniel 3:13-15

It did not take long for these three young Hebrew men to answer this question for they knew without a doubt what god would be able to rescue them. They knew what it was to be taken from their home and family only to become a possession of the king. They knew what it was to have their home country destroyed and to be forced to live in exile in a foreign country. God had proven himself faithful during a very difficult time in their lives, and they had the courage to boldly stand in their faith in God.

STRENGTH — EVIDENCE OF EXCELLENCE IN THEIR CHARACTER

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will NEVER serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18

This has been one of my favorite testimonies of faith since I was a little girl and it remains extremely powerful to me today. EVEN IF God doesn’t answer my prayer in the way I have requested, I choose to serve God and only God. In good times and in bad, in the triumphs but also during the struggles, we have the opportunity to praise God!

In anger, Nebuchadnezzar heated the furnace seven times hotter than usual. In arrogance, this king had Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego bound and thrown into the furnace. In shock, he watched as four men walked around the fire unbound and unharmed! In response, Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to step out of the fire. In amazement, he took note that their hair was not singed, their clothing was not scorched, and the smell of smoke was oddly absent.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God…There is no other god who can rescue like this!” – Daniel 3:28-29

As the climate of our culture continues to intensify, what will our response be? I pray that we are able to be strong and courageous as we refuse to put anything ahead of our worship of God. I pray that we speak boldly of the righteousness of God and His call to the excellence produced in our lives by Jesus Christ. I pray we become exactly who God created us to be, reflecting the beautiful holiness of our holy God!

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God. – Philippians 1:11

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth. – Psalm 26:1-3

Today’s Reading: Daniel 2; Psalm 5

Tell me what I dreamed and what it means — this was the unreasonable demand of King Nebuchadnezzar to the wise men of Babylon. When they were unable to do this, he ordered their execution. When the officers came to kill Daniel, he handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. He asked for more time and then he went to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) and asked them to pray.

He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. He said,

“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light.
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors,
for you have given me wisdom and strength.
You have told me what we asked of you
and revealed to us what the king demanded.” – Daniel 2:18-23

So, when faced with a difficult situation, a matter of life or death, Daniel gathered his friends together and they prayed for God’s intervention. Then, when God answered their prayer, Daniel first took time to praise God, acknowledging the source of all wisdom, power, knowledge and strength.

PRAYER & PRAISE WERE TWO OF THE MAIN INGREDIENTS TO DANIEL’S SUCCESS — TO HIS EXCELLENCE.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love. – Psalm 5:11-12

God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel, who in turn gave God all the glory when he explained to the king why God was revealing this dream. Daniel in essence said – What you have asked is impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. God doesn’t have to explain this dream, but He has chosen to reveal the future to you because He wants you to understand what is in your heart (2:27-30).

Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court. – Daniel 2:48-49

Now these four young Jewish men in captivity were being entrusted with even more. These young men of excellence were faithful to God and God was enlarging their territory.

OPPORTUNITY & ADVANCEMENT WERE TWO OF RESULTS OF THEIR FAITH — OF THEIR EXCELLENCE.

What are you asking for today? Does your faith in God hinge on whether or not He answers your prayer your way? Prayer and praise — these two ingredients of Daniel’s faith are available to us. Are we prepared to praise God no matter how He answers our prayer? Do we trust the heart of God enough to trust His hand? Are we living out the excellence that God is producing within us?

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. – Philippians 1:11

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Today’s Reading: Daniel 1, Jeremiah 20-22

Are you ready? A new season is ahead for us. God has a plan for each of us in the coming days but are we prepared for the opportunities He has before us? We have been chosen for a specific purpose. The future is unknown but we know whom we serve. What do we need to do TODAY to be ready for what He has for us TOMORROW? Let’s look at four young men who had no idea what was ahead for them yet were prepared to be used by God in a powerful way.

When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus. – Daniel 1:18-21

What an incredible opportunity this was for these four young Jewish men. Jerusalem had been attacked and God’s people had been brought to Babylon where they would spend the next 70 years in exile. These Jewish families were allowed to live in peace and comfort in this new country but it did not take away the daily realization that they were most definitely in captivity. They could not leave and go home — they were strangers in a foreign land.

THEY WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY WERE READY.

The king ordered his chief of staff to bring to the palace some of the young men from Judah’s royal family and other noble families who were strong, healthy, and good-looking, as well as knowledgeable in every branch of learning — gifted with knowledge and good judgment (Daniel 1:3-4). These young men did not have to suddenly prepare themselves for this opportunity; it was given to them because they were ready. They had spent their time learning and listening. They were already healthy and strong. They were ready, therefore they were chosen.

THEY REMEMBERED TO WHOM THEY BELONGED.

Now that they were in royal service to the king, he wanted their loyalty. He renamed them after Babylonian gods in order to redefine them. Daniel’s name meant “God is my judge” but the chief of staff renamed him Belteshazzar, “Bel protects his life.” Hananiah meant “the Lord is grace” but he was given the name Shadrach, “command of Aku”. Mishael, “Who is God?” became Meshach “Who is Aku?” Azariah, “the Lord helps”, became Abednego, “servant of Nebo” (1:7). Nebuchadnezzar was trying to redefine them but these young men never lost track of the God to whom they truly belonged – who was their judge, who defined “grace”, who would tell them what to do and who would help them.

THEY CHOSE EXCELLENCE, SO GOD MADE THEM EXCELLENT.

The king wanted their loyalty so he treated all of the young men very well. They were given fine wine and delicious foods to eat, but the meats prepared were probably unclean by Jewish standards, such as pork. The custom in Babylon was to dedicate their wine to their gods so drinking the wine would have been disloyal to God.

This royal treatment was a way for King Nebuchadnezzar to win the loyalty of all of these young men. They were given a taste of what the world had to offer them, what the king could give them if they were loyal to him. Everyone else compromised their standards but these four young men remained loyal to the God of Israel. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah chose a more excellent way, denying themselves the rich foods and choosing vegetables and water instead (1:8-16).

God blessed their faithfulness by making them men of excellence. God gave these young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17). No one impressed King Nebuchadnezzar more than these four young men. They were found to be ten times more capable than any of the others. They were found to be men of excellence.

I want to be a woman of excellence. That is my prayer. I want to be prepared for the opportunities God sends my way. I want to prepare myself both physically and intellectually so that I am ready to be used by God. When the world tries to win my loyalty, I want to remember to whom I belong and who is my judge, choosing what God has to offer me instead of what the world has to offer. When difficult times come, I want to remember the grace of God and that He is the One who will help me. I want to be ready.

I CHOOSE EXCELLENCE!

God calls us to excel in who we are and in what we do, in our character and our actions. “Whatever you do, do well…” (Eccl. 9:10). Our pursuit of excellence cannot be of human effort for that will quickly become our own obsession for earthly significance. With excellence as our goal and our eyes focused on Jesus, the Spirit can work in us to produce character and spiritual maturity.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God. – Philippians 1:11

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

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.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 15-16

Why do bad things happen to good people? Have you ever wondered why God allows difficult times in your life? Have you ever suffered physical pain or disease? Have you ever watched a loved one struggle with cancer and wondered why God does not heal all of His faithful children?

Jeremiah was called by God to proclaim to the people of Judah their future destruction and captivity. Although intimidated by God’s call on his life, Jeremiah was obedient and listened to God, passing on each message that the Lord gave him. Yet, as we read through the book of Jeremiah, we see that life was not easy for him. We can imagine that his message was less than popular because it was extremely harsh. For example, listen to these words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah:

“For I will upset the careful plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will allow the people to be slaughtered by invading armies, and I will leave their dead bodies as food for the vultures and wild animals. I will reduce Jerusalem to ruins, making it a monument to their stupidity. All who pass by will be astonished and will gasp at the destruction they see there. I will see to it that your enemies lay siege to the city until all the food is gone. Then those trapped inside will eat their own sons and daughters and friends. They will be driven to utter despair.” – Jeremiah 19:7-9

As you can imagine, Jeremiah’s message did not get a resounding “Amen” from the people. Instead he was persecuted, plotted against, arrested, mocked, flogged, whipped, put in stocks and placed on trial. When Jerusalem was attacked, Jeremiah’s life was in danger as well. When the people of Judah were led into exile, Jeremiah was also taken captive.

Listen to these words of Jeremiah and God’s response to His faithful servant:

Jeremiah: “What sorrow is mine, my mother. Oh, that I had died at birth! I am hated everywhere I go.”

God: “I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU, Jeremiah.” (Jeremiah 15:10-11)

Jeremiah: “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me…I bear your name…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.”

God: “I AM WITH YOU to protect you and rescue you…I will certainly keep you safe…I will rescue you…” (Jeremiah 15:15-21)

Jeremiah: “Lord, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble!” (Jeremiah 16:19)

I am so thankful for a God who knows us, who watches over us, and who answers us when we call. He is with us when things are going great and He is with us when life is at its toughest. He does not promise us that the task will be easy or that our obedience will result in popularity, but He does promise to care of us. He promises to never leave us. What a joy it is to have the Lord as our hope and confidence.

God: “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)

Jeremiah: “O Lord, if you heal me, I will truly be healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!” (Jeremiah 17:14)

What a beautiful testimony of faith! Lord, we give you everything we are facing right now. We ask for you to be our strength when we are weak and our fortress when we need protection. Lord, please be our refuge in our day of trouble. We trust in you and rest on your riverbank, rooted in you and growing in our faith.