(click on the link above for today's readings)
Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 ~ 2 Timothy 2:1-21
Psalm 92:1-93 ~ Proverbs 26:3-5
The 3 Jeremiah chapters today are quite eventful. Interesting that the Israelites ask Jeremiah for a message from God - and that whatever they hear back they will do and obey. Not! :) Are we like this at times... ?
Jeremiah 42 gives a good set up to the days readings, with the closing 2 verses in this chapter from Jeremiah - "And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the LORD your God any better now than you have in the past. So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going." Jeremiah delivered the message from God... but know that the message would go unheeded.
Jeremiah 43's verse 10 jumped out at me today - "I will surely bring my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt." Interesting that God calls Nebuchadnezzar his "servant". Would he have said this about the Israelites? Called them his servants?
Chapter 43 reminds me that when we are disobedient to God's will that our disobedience can affect not only ourselves, but others around us. Mind you, Egypt was not a house of the holy - but the Israelites disobedience is going to bring destruction to themselves and Egypt. They're carrying their disobedience and curse to others....
Chapter 44 is a great reminder of why it's a bad idea to pursue idols in our life instead of God. Verse 7 asks "Why are you destroying yourselves?" I love this verse. Why are we destroying ourselves? We bring upon self-abuse, self-destruction, when we pursue things that are not of God. Think about it. They may bring a quick temporary pleasure, but in the long run are they building us up or destroying us?
Why are we destroying ourselves?
2 Timothy 2, verse 9 has a great verse for us One Year Bible readers! :) "But the word of God cannot be chained. " Amen...
2 Tim 2 is a great chapter today... just jam packed with wisdom. Verse 4 jumps out - "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. " How often do we become tied up in affairs of this life.... ? Every day? Every hour? More often than that... ? If we are constantly "distracted" by the affairs of this life, do we lose sight of Jesus? Do we distract ourselves enough that we can't serve Christ well?
Verse 21 is a great closing verse today - "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work."
Will you keep yourself pure?
Psalm 92 & 93 are joyful Psalms today! Psalm 92 being a Psalm for the Sabbath, with a great opening verse - " It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High." Are you thanking God for something each day? Are you singing praises to God often?
Proverbs 26 today - I think we have a catch-22 here! Someone correct me if I'm wrong here in verses 4 & 5 - "
When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are.
When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation."
So do we not answer their foolish arguments.... or do we? :) I can see the wisdom in both verses.... Help me out on this one!
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
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