Becky's Daily Devotions

During my conversations with different women in the last few weeks, some have asked for prayer as they seek out new jobs, some for failing marriages, some for brand new beginnings, some with chronic illness, and some for children that have walked away from the “truth”. They come to talk, often without hope, feeling destitute and alone. Maybe you have felt like that in your lifetime? I know that I have! Jeremiah was no different than us: he also experienced emotions of hopelessness! Jeremiah was known as the “Weeping Prophet”. I would have had a lot to be distressed about as well if I lived in the days of Jeremiah with the destruction of Jerusalem caused by the Israelites disobedience to God. Oh, what a minute…is that much different than today? Maybe we do have much to weep over! In that time, the people of Jerusalem turned their back on the true God and opted instead for the various shiny idols they could put up in their homes. They lived for themselves and did not allow any conviction of sin to come their way. No matter how loud Jeremiah prophesied, they turned a deaf ear to what he was saying about the end of Jerusalem and what God would do! They had no place in their hearts for God, as that would mean change in their lives and devotion to someone other than themselves! And Jeremiah. wanting so badly for his people to listen to him, wept!

In Lamentations 3: 17-26 “I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.

18. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” 19. I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20. I will remember them and my soul is downcast within me. 21. YET, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions (Mercy) never fail. 23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion: therefore I will wait for him.” 25. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Jeremiah trusted in the Lord. Jeremiah knew through personal experience that God was faithful and he trusted in Him. God said that punishment would follow disobedience and Jeremiah saw that first hand. He also knew and trusted when the Lord said that there would be restoration and blessing. He knew that God was willing to help and is ready to respond when asked.

We are not living much differently than the people of Jeremiah’s day. People want to seek out anything BUT God for guidance and direction. They will try to rationalize Jesus and interpret the Bible to make it work for them. I say “try” because you cannot do that. The word of God is as powerful today as it was in the scrolls that Jeremiah read to the people. And God told him what to write! Still, they hardened their hearts to the Word. And then, in all the distress of Day | 63