Category: Devotional

When God Stops Protecting

When we read about the judgment on Assyria and Babylon, it might seem perplexing. How can God punish them for carrying out actions that fulfilled His will? But the answer is deceptively simple: God did not force these nations to act. Instead, He removed His protection from Israel, allowing them to experience the consequences of their own choices.

Israel’s rebellion against God led to a withdrawal of His protective hand, leaving them vulnerable to the sinful ambitions of surrounding nations. Babylon and Assyria, driven by their own greed and desire for power, seized the opportunity to conquer and oppress. These nations were never acting righteously; they were merely acting according to their own sinful desires. And yet, their actions were part of God’s greater plan to discipline Israel.

God’s judgment on Babylon and Assyria reminds us that while He may use the actions of others to accomplish His purposes, it doesn’t excuse their wrongdoing. Israel needed to experience the consequences of their rebellion to understand the severity of their actions and to turn back to God. But that doesn’t absolve the nations of their guilt.

In our own lives, there are times when God may allow us to face the consequences of our choices. It’s not that He wills us to suffer, but that He wants us to see the impact of living outside His protection and guidance. Yet, even in the midst of discipline, God’s love and desire for our restoration remain constant.

More Than Survival

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a promise of God’s good plans for our lives, especially during moments of transition or uncertainty. It’s a verse frequently found in graduation cards, spoken over young people as they step into the next chapter of their lives. But the context of this verse adds layers of meaning that are often overlooked.

In the passage surrounding Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord is addressing the exiles in Babylon—the very people who had been taken from their homeland and plunged into captivity. These were not people living in comfort or ease; they were enduring a period of discipline and trial. The word “remnant” might not even fully capture their situation, as it usually implies survivors, but these were people in the midst of God’s refining process.

And what does God say to them in this moment of hardship? “Keep living life.” Build houses, plant gardens, marry, and have children. God tells them to live fully even in their captivity, not because they are to settle there permanently, but because He has promised them a future and a hope.

This instruction is not just about survival; it’s about living with expectation. The Lord’s promise is not voided by their current situation. He assures them that despite their present struggles, He has plans to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a future and a hope.

As Christians today, we too are often called to live in difficult circumstances—situations that feel like captivity. Yet, like the exiles in Babylon, we are to live fully and faithfully, trusting in the promises of God. Our hope is anchored not in the absence of hardship but in the certainty of God’s ultimate plan for our good.

This perspective challenges us to see our trials as temporary and our hope as eternal. We are called to live in the tension of the “already” and the “not yet,” knowing that our current sufferings are not the end of the story. God’s promise is true, and His timing is perfect. We live now in anticipation of the future He has promised.

How Will You Lead?

I’ve always been struck by the profound responsibility that comes with leadership, particularly in the church. Reading through Jeremiah 22-23, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of God’s words directed at the leaders of Israel. As a leader, these passages serve as a sobering reminder that shepherding God’s people is not about serving ourselves but about being faithful stewards of His truth.

In Jeremiah 23:1-2, God condemns the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of His pasture. This rebuke is not limited to the kings but extends to the religious leaders as well. Those who are supposed to guide and protect God’s people are instead leading them astray, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the flock. The failure of these leaders to listen to God and to faithfully communicate His message is a betrayal of their calling.

As a preacher, this strikes a deep chord within me. The role of a preacher, much like the prophets of old, is to declare God’s word to His people. But how can we do that if we do not first listen to what He has to say? Jeremiah 23:16-22 makes it clear that those who claim to speak for God must be faithful to His words, not their own ideas or desires. This is not just a call to those who stand in the pulpit, but to anyone in a position of spiritual leadership—whether you’re leading a church, a small group, or your own family.

It’s easy to let our own agendas, insecurities, or even good intentions cloud our ability to hear from God. But as leaders, we must be committed to both truth and transparency. We must be willing to speak God’s truth, even when it’s difficult, and to do so with integrity and humility.

This is a commitment I continue to make in my own ministry, and it’s one I challenge all leaders to take seriously. We must shepherd God’s people with care, ensuring that we are faithful to His word and not leading others astray by our own neglect or self-interest. Let’s be leaders who listen, who seek God’s guidance, and who are faithful to the task we’ve been given.

Perspective on Perspective

I’ve always said that a change in perspective changes everything else, and that really came to the fore for me today. When we read prophetic books like Jeremiah, it’s easy to imagine that the “wicked people” he rebukes are those far from God, outsiders to the faith. But the more I read them the more a chilling realization set in: these are not outsiders he’s addressing—they’re believers, people who are supposed to be part of the family of God.

This shift in perspective changes everything. The harsh words and dire warnings take on a new weight when we recognize that they’re directed inward, toward those who claim to know God but live as though He doesn’t exist. It’s a reminder that being a believer isn’t just about belonging to the right group or knowing the right things; it’s about living in alignment with God’s will.

God’s rebukes through Jeremiah are a call to self-examination. Are we merely believers in name, or are we actively pursuing a life that reflects God’s holiness and love? The people of Judah had allowed their faith to become hollow, a mere shell of what it was supposed to be. They had the outward appearance of God’s people but lacked the inward devotion and obedience that He desires.

This perspective forces us to ask hard questions about our own faith. Are there areas in our lives where we’re just going through the motions? Do we, like the people of Judah, take God’s grace for granted, assuming that our status as believers exempts us from true repentance and transformation?

Jeremiah’s message is a call to wake up. To see ourselves as God sees us and to let that perspective drive us toward deeper faithfulness. It’s not enough to be part of the family of God in name only; we must live as true children of God, fully committed to His ways.

Beware the Holy Huddle

In Jeremiah 15, we see a profound tension between God’s judgment and His love. At the end of the chapter, God speaks of separating the precious from the vile, calling Jeremiah to be His mouthpiece. This passage highlights an important truth: it’s not enough to merely separate ourselves from sinful people and their actions. While we are called to be holy and set apart, this doesn’t mean we should isolate ourselves from the world or look upon sinners with only indignation.

God’s heart is not one of mere separation but of redemption. He loves every person, even those steeped in sin, and desires their repentance and return to Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect that same love and concern. Rather than isolating ourselves or being content with indignation toward the sin we see around us, we are to engage with the world in love, warning them of the coming judgment and offering the hope of salvation.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. He spent time with sinners, not to condone their sin, but to call them to repentance and offer them the life that only He could give. We are called to do the same—to love the lost and to be bold in warning them of the danger they face without God.

In essence, true holiness isn’t just about separating from sin; it’s about being the light that draws others out of darkness. If we truly love as God loves, we will go beyond indignation and strive to bring others into the safety of God’s grace.

My Own Hero

In today’s reading of Jeremiah 8:4-11:23, we see a powerful depiction of human stubbornness and self-deception. God observes that when people fall, they don’t get up again; when they turn away, they don’t turn back. Instead, they persist in their own way, often thinking they are justified in their actions. This is a vivid portrayal of how we often see ourselves as the hero of our own story, convinced of our righteousness and unwilling to admit our faults or seek the right path.

Why do we stay down when we fall? Why are we content to lie in the dirt rather than get up and seek God’s way? Part of the reason is pride; we don’t want to admit that we need help or that we were wrong. Another reason is self-deception; we convince ourselves that our way is just fine, even when it’s leading us further from God. We create narratives that paint us in a positive light, ignoring or downplaying the areas where we’ve gone astray.

But God sees through this self-deception. He calls out to us, not to condemn us but to invite us back to the right path. He knows that true heroism doesn’t come from stubbornly sticking to our own way but from humility, repentance, and the willingness to rise after we’ve fallen.

The question for us today is whether we will continue to be the hero of our own story or whether we will allow God to be the hero who lifts us up, dusts us off, and sets us back on the path of life.

What Do You Need?

In Daniel 2, Daniel is faced with an impossible task: interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream without even knowing what the dream was. This situation could have been overwhelming, but instead of panicking, Daniel turned to God. He knew that he didn’t have the ability to interpret the dream on his own, but he also knew that God could provide him with exactly what he needed. Through prayer and seeking God’s wisdom, Daniel was given the insight to interpret the dream accurately, demonstrating that God equips His people with what they need to accomplish His purposes.

Similarly, in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the golden image. They didn’t know if God would deliver them from the fire, but they knew that He had the power to do so. Their confidence wasn’t in their own abilities but in God’s sovereignty. They trusted that whatever they needed—whether it was deliverance or strength to face martyrdom—God would provide.

These stories remind us that when we face impossible situations or challenges that seem beyond our abilities, we should turn to God. He knows what we need and is faithful to provide it, whether it’s wisdom, strength, or courage. This truth encourages us to rely on God rather than on our own limited resources.

God’s Not Done With You Yet

Even in the darkest moments, when it feels like everything is lost or you’ve strayed too far from God, He still has a plan for you. This truth is powerfully illustrated in the lives of the exiles in Daniel 1 and the prophecy given in Jeremiah 19-20.

In Daniel 1, we see young men from Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—taken into Babylonian captivity. Despite Judah’s failures and the exile that resulted, God wasn’t done with these men. In fact, they were chosen for a special purpose: to stand as a testimony to God’s power and faithfulness in a foreign land. They remained committed to God, refusing to defile themselves with the king’s food, and God blessed their faithfulness, giving them wisdom and understanding beyond all others. Their story is a reminder that no matter how far we fall, God can still use us for His glory.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 19-20, the prophet Jeremiah faces immense opposition and personal suffering for delivering God’s message. Yet, God wasn’t done with him either. Even when Jeremiah was persecuted, thrown into stocks, and ridiculed, God continued to sustain him and speak through him. This persistence highlights God’s unwavering commitment to His people and His plan, even when they feel overwhelmed or defeated.

These stories remind us that God is never “done” with us, no matter our past mistakes or current struggles. He continues to love us, guide us, and use us for His purposes. We might face hardships, make mistakes, or feel like we’re not good enough, but God sees beyond our failures. He sees the potential for redemption, growth, and fulfillment of His divine plan in our lives.

When you feel like you’ve messed up too badly or that your circumstances are too bleak, remember that God is still at work. He is patient, loving, and always ready to bring you back into His fold. Trust in His plan, and know that He is not finished with you yet.

Fear of the Lord

The concept of the “fear of the Lord” is central to understanding the relationship between God and His people. This fear is not just a terror of God’s power and judgment, but a profound respect, reverence, and awe for His holiness, authority, and righteousness.

In today’s reading, we see a stark contrast between those who fear the Lord and those who do not. Jeremiah 25:15-38 speaks of the cup of God’s wrath being poured out on the nations, a terrifying image of divine judgment. This passage is a sobering reminder that God’s justice cannot be ignored, and His authority cannot be dismissed. The lack of fear of the Lord leads to disastrous consequences, as seen in the nations that are about to be judged.

Conversely, the fear of the Lord leads to peace and security. Those who respect and honor God’s authority live with the assurance of His protection and guidance. In Jeremiah 36, despite the king’s attempts to destroy God’s word by burning the scroll, God’s message endures, and His plans remain unchanged. The faithful scribe Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah, who feared the Lord, were protected, even as the king faced judgment for his defiance.

This contrast between fear of the Lord and lack of it is also echoed in Jeremiah 45-46, where Egypt, which did not fear the Lord, faced destruction, while Baruch, who served the Lord faithfully, was promised his life as a reward.

The fear of the Lord is not about living in constant dread but about recognizing God’s rightful place as sovereign over all. This fear brings wisdom, peace, and life, as Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

Those who lack this fear are left to face the fear of consequences, a fear that could have been avoided through reverence and obedience to God.

Tell Me What I Want To Hear

In Jeremiah 26:11, we see the priests and prophets accusing Jeremiah of treason for delivering a prophecy of doom: “This man deserves the sentence of death because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” Jeremiah’s words were not what the people wanted to hear, and their reaction highlights a common human tendency: rejecting uncomfortable truths in favor of comforting lies. This is echoed in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, where Paul warns that a time will come when people “will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

The accusation of treason against Jeremiah underscores the resistance to prophetic truth that contradicts personal or national expectations. Jeremiah’s prophecy was not treasonous; it was a call to repentance, aiming to avert the disaster that awaited Judah if they continued in their sinful ways. Yet, the people preferred to silence the prophet rather than heed his warning, demonstrating the peril of valuing comfort over truth.

This scenario isn’t unique to ancient Judah. Today, we can be just as prone to seeking out voices that affirm our desires and beliefs, rather than those that challenge us with uncomfortable truths. Whether it’s in politics, religion, or personal relationships, the temptation to surround ourselves with yes-men—those who tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear—is ever-present. This leads to a dangerous echo chamber, where truth becomes a casualty, and growth is stunted.

Paul’s warning to Timothy is a timeless caution against this tendency. True growth, both spiritually and personally, requires a willingness to face hard truths and to be corrected. When we reject sound doctrine in favor of teachings that merely scratch our itching ears, we stray from the path of righteousness and risk falling into deception.

In our lives, we must strive to value truth over comfort. This means being open to correction, seeking out voices that challenge us, and remaining vigilant against the tendency to embrace only those messages that affirm our desires.