(click on the date above for today's readings)
Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 ~ Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9 ~ Proverbs 26:13-16
Jeremiah chapter 49 today again is reminding me of the Lord of the Rings movies as I read it... :) Is this bad? I guess I default to thinking about a fictional movie when obviously these are some very real prophecies and things that were carried out due to the various lands' pride, idol worship, etc. So, yes, probably think of the LOTR movies imagery is probably not quite correct...
This chapter does close again with the promise of redemption in verse 39 - "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam," says the LORD."
Jeremiah 50 does not bode well for Babylon... interesting, in that King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon have played a large role in sacking Jerusalem & Judah - for their discipline. And now the tide is coming back toward Babylon. Verse 39 jumps out at me today - "Soon this city of Babylon will be inhabited by ostriches and jackals. It will be a home for the wild animals of the desert. Never again will people live there; it will lie desolate forever." Can someone give me the low-down on where Babylon is? Iraq correct? If so this verse reminds me in part of the swamps of Iraq - quite desolate... Actually, I just found a map of Babylon online here - but would love it if anyone else can post up more details on modern day geography, etc.? Thanks..
Chapter 50 does bode well for Israel & Judah - verse 4 & 5 tell us: "Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together," says the LORD, "weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken."
How often do we weep and seek the Lord?
Today we begin reading Paul's letter to Titus. A good overview of Titus is online here.
The first two verses of this letter start strong... "This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began--and he cannot lie. "
Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is it a promise of God's? Can God lie?
The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really jumps out at me - "He must enjoy having guests in his home." What a great verse... This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do we enjoy having guests in our home?
Psalms 97 & 98 are two more great Psalms of praise!
Proverbs 26:13 today jumps out - "The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can't go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"" I wonder if we can substitute the word "worried" or "anxious" in place of lazy in this Psalm? Are we afraid of lions out there? Can we rely on the one true "Lion" who will be with us wherever we go? (yes, think C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia here.... :)
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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