Category Archives: Father / Yahweh

Father / Yahweh, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Infinite / Without Limit, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Prophecy

Divine Threads: Tracing God’s Work Across Generations (Luke 3:23-38)

Have you ever marveled at how God weaves His redemptive plan across generations, orchestrating events and fulfilling His promises through the tapestry of time?

In Luke 3:23-38, we encounter a genealogy that traces the lineage of Jesus, offering a glimpse into God’s intricate work spanning multiple generations. Join us as we delve into this passage and uncover the significance of Jesus’ ancestry.

Reconnect: Luke 3:23-38 presents a detailed genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage back to Adam, the first man. While genealogies may seem mundane, this list of names holds profound significance, showcasing God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises and establish His redemptive plan through generations. Let’s explore the layers of meaning embedded within this genealogy and discover the rich tapestry of God’s providence.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Luke 3:23-38

Genealogy of Jesus

     23When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37the son of MethuSelah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Summary Key Points:

  1. A Genealogy of Hope: The genealogy in Luke’s Gospel serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness throughout history. By tracing Jesus’ lineage back to Adam, Luke emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and His connection to all humanity, presenting Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior.
  2. Inclusion of Gentiles: Unlike Matthew’s genealogy, which emphasizes Jesus’ legal descent from David through Joseph, Luke’s genealogy highlights Jesus’ universal mission by including Gentile ancestors. Through figures like Adam, the ancestor of all humanity, and Noah, the survivor of the global flood, Luke underscores Jesus’ role as the Savior of all people, Jew and Gentile alike.
  3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The genealogy culminates in Jesus, the Son of God, whose birth fulfills the Messianic promises of the Old Testament. As the descendant of David, Jesus embodies the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David, promising an eternal kingdom ruled by the Messiah.

Call to Action:

  1. Reflect on Your Spiritual Heritage: Take time to reflect on your spiritual lineage and the faithfulness of God throughout generations. Consider the ways in which God has worked in your family’s history to bring about His purposes and extend His grace.
  2. Embrace Your Identity in Christ: Just as Jesus’ genealogy anchors His identity and mission, let your identity be rooted in Christ. Recognize that as a follower of Jesus, you are part of God’s redemptive plan, called to live out His purposes and share His love with others.
  3. Share the Good News: As heirs of God’s promises through Christ, embrace the responsibility to share the gospel with others. Like the generations before us who faithfully passed down the message of salvation, let us boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to a world in need of hope and redemption.

4. Trust in God’s Providence: Reflect on the truth that God’s plans for your life may extend far beyond your own view or even your own lifetime. Trust in His providence and sovereignty, knowing that He orchestrates events across generations to fulfill His purposes. Surrender your plans to His perfect will, seeking to align your life with His greater redemptive plan.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the rich tapestry of Your providence displayed in Jesus’ genealogy. Help us to appreciate the significance of our spiritual heritage and to live out our identity as Your children with boldness and conviction. May we faithfully carry forward the message of salvation to future generations, declaring Your faithfulness and love to all. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Obeying God, Seeking God

Pleasing God Through Obedience Rather than Accomplishment (Luke 3:21-22)

Have you ever felt the weight of expectation, believing that you must accomplish great feats to earn God’s favor?

In Luke 3:21-22, we witness a profound moment as Jesus is baptized, revealing that God’s pleasure in us is not dependent on our achievements but on our obedience and relationship with Him. Let’s explore this perspective and its implications for our lives.

Reconnect: Luke 3:21-22 transports us to the banks of the Jordan River, where Jesus, in humble obedience, presents Himself for baptism by John. In this significant moment, we glimpse the Father’s affirmation of Jesus’ obedient life and His delight in His beloved Son. As we unpack these verses, may we find encouragement and reassurance in knowing that God’s pleasure rests on our obedience and relationship with Him.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Luke 3:21-22

Jesus Is Baptized

     21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Summary Key Points:

  1. The Baptism of Jesus: Luke vividly describes the scene of Jesus’ baptism, highlighting the humility and obedience of the Son of God as He submits to John’s baptism of repentance. Despite being sinless, Jesus identifies with humanity in this act, foreshadowing His role as the sacrificial Lamb who would bear the sins of the world.
  2. God’s Pleasure in Obedience: The voice from heaven declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” These words affirm God’s delight in Jesus’ obedient life, His commitment to fulfilling the Father’s will, and His deep relationship with Him. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s pleasure in us is not based on our accomplishments but on our obedience and intimacy with Him.
  3. Encouragement for Every Believer: The example of Jesus’ baptism offers encouragement to every believer, regardless of age or stage in life. We are reminded that we can please the Lord right where we are, even without a formal ministry. By obeying His commands, seeking intimacy with Him, and living out our faith in daily obedience, we too can experience God’s pleasure and delight in us.

Call to Action:

  1. Embrace Obedience: Take a moment to reflect on areas of your life where God is calling you to obedience. Surrender your will to His and commit to following His commands with humility and trust.
  2. Deepen Your Relationship: Cultivate a deeper relationship with God through prayer, meditation on His Word, and fellowship with other believers. Seek to know Him more intimately and experience His presence in your daily life.
  3. Live Out Your Faith: Let your obedience to God’s Word be evident in your actions and attitudes. Serve others with love and compassion, and let your life be a testimony to the transformative power of faith in Christ.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Jesus’ obedient life and the reminder that Your pleasure in us is not based on our accomplishments but on our obedience and relationship with You. Help us to walk in humility and trust, seeking to please You in all that we do. May our lives be a reflection of Your love and grace to the world around us. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Consequences of Sin, Father / Yahweh, Fear / Reverence for God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Righteous

The Incomparable God: Bildad’s Reflection (Job 25)

Hook: Have you ever found yourself utterly awed by the greatness of God, leaving you at a loss for words to describe His immense power and wisdom?

In Job 25, Bildad the Shuhite offers a brief reflection on the incomparable nature of God, emphasizing that, in comparison, none of us are without sin, not even Job.

Join us as we delve into this concise yet profound passage and gain a deeper understanding of the majesty of our Creator.

Reconnect: As we delve into Job 25, we find Bildad continuing his discourse in response to Job’s lamentations and questions. In the previous chapters, Job has expressed his deep anguish and desire to present his case before God. Bildad’s words here offer a perspective on God’s absolute holiness and supremacy. It’s worth noting that Bildad’s answer, like those of his friends, continues to suggest that Job’s suffering is a consequence of his sin—a notion that Job vehemently rejects, leading to an ongoing theological debate.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture)

Job 25

Bildad Says Man Is Inferior

      1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

      2“Dominion and awe belong to Him
Who establishes peace in His heights.

      3“Is there any number to His troops?
And upon whom does His light not rise?

      4“How then can a man be just with God?
Or how can he be clean who is born of woman?

      5“If even the moon has no brightness
And the stars are not pure in His sight,

      6How much less man, that maggot,
And the son of man, that worm!”

Summary Key Points:

  1. God’s Unapproachable Holiness: Bildad begins by acknowledging the inaccessibility of God’s holiness. He describes God as the One who brings order to the heavens and possesses unapproachable majesty. This recognition underscores the vast gulf between humanity and the Creator.
  2. Human Insignificance: Bildad highlights the frailty and imperfection of humanity when compared to the purity and perfection of God. He asks a rhetorical question: “How then can man be righteous before God?” This question serves as a reminder that human righteousness falls short in the presence of divine holiness.
  3. The Need for Mediation: Bildad’s words indirectly point to the need for a mediator between humanity and God. Recognizing the vast chasm that separates us from God’s holiness, Bildad implies the necessity of someone who can bridge that gap—a role that foreshadows the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ.
  4. Job’s Ongoing Search: While Bildad’s words emphasize the unapproachable nature of God, they do not offer comfort or resolution to Job’s suffering. Job continues to seek answers and understanding, grappling with the profound mysteries of his circumstances and God’s ways.

Call to Action: As we reflect on Job 25, let us also contemplate the incomparable holiness and greatness of our Creator. Take a moment to meditate on the majesty of God and the inherent limitations of human righteousness.

In times of struggle and questioning, remember that God is beyond our comprehension, yet He invites us into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, our Mediator. Seek a deeper understanding of His holiness, and allow it to inspire awe and reverence in your heart.

Prayer: Almighty God, we stand in awe of Your unapproachable holiness and majesty. Help us to recognize our limitations and imperfections in comparison to Your perfection. Thank you for providing Jesus as our Mediator, bridging the gap between us and Your holiness. May we continually seek a deeper understanding of Your greatness and approach You with reverence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind

The Incomparable Nature and Sacrifice of Jesus

Many lose sight of the fact that Christ has always existed. He did not begin to exist when He became man and entered this world for a brief 33 years as a man. He has existed since the beginning.

He is one with the Father. Christ is the image of God revealed to us. Through Him all things were created. He is head of the church, the body of believers who follow Him. He chose to die for each of us so that He could bear the punishment for our sin… the punishment we deserve. That is mercy and grace and love. There is none like Christ.

Colossians 1:12-29

The Incomparable Christ

      13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

      15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

      21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

      24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

Let us rejoice in our relationship with Christ… in His sacrifice for our sins. Let us not ignore this incredible sacrifice and gift of forgiveness. Embrace Him, ask forgiveness, change and turn away from sin. Become more like Him and build your relationship with Him. Share the good news of Christ with all whom you have the opportunity. What if no one else will tell them if you don’t?

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Father / Yahweh, Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Psalms, Salvation

God Is Both Judge and Salvation

God judges those who fail to follow His commands to hold them accountable but shows salvation to those who order their steps according to His ways with thanksgiving!

Prayerfully reflect… which are you?

Psalm 50

God the Judge of the Righteous and the Wicked.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1The Mighty One, God, the LORD, has spoken,
And summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

      2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God has shone forth.

      3May our God come and not keep silence;
Fire devours before Him,
And it is very tempestuous around Him.

      4He summons the heavens above,
And the earth, to judge His people:

      5“Gather My godly ones to Me,
Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

      6And the heavens declare His righteousness,
For God Himself is judge.

Selah.

      7“Hear, O My people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you;
I am God, your God.

      8“I do not reprove you for your sacrifices,
And your burnt offerings are continually before Me.

      9“I shall take no young bull out of your house
Nor male goats out of your folds.

      10“For every beast of the forest is Mine,
The cattle on a thousand hills.

      11“I know every bird of the mountains,
And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

      12“If I were hungry I would not tell you,
For the world is Mine, and all it contains.

      13“Shall I eat the flesh of bulls
Or drink the blood of male goats?

      14“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High;

      15Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

      16But to the wicked God says,
“What right have you to tell of My statutes
And to take My covenant in your mouth?

      17“For you hate discipline,
And you cast My words behind you.

      18“When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
And you associate with adulterers.

      19“You let your mouth loose in evil
And your tongue frames deceit.

      20“You sit and speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother’s son.

      21“These things you have done and I kept silence;
You thought that I was just like you;
I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

      22“Now consider this, you who forget God,
Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.

      23“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.”

God judges those who fail to follow His commands to hold them accountable but shows salvation to those who order their steps according to His ways with thanksgiving!

Prayerfully reflect… which are you?

If you don’t like the answer, turn to Him more today! He is always ready to receive us.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Guide, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Psalms

Great Is The Lord And Greatly To Be Praised (Psalm 48)

Praise and glory to our heavenly Father and Creator. He is mighty and wise. Those who follow Him wholeheartedly are secure, joyful, and shine as a beautiful light before the world. Jehovah is eternal and to be trusted from generation to generation for all time.

Psalm 48

The Beauty and Glory of Zion.

A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah

      1Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

      2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion in the far north,
The city of the great King.

      3God, in her palaces,
Has made Himself known as a stronghold.

      4For, lo, the kings assembled themselves,
They passed by together.

      5They saw it, then they were amazed;
They were terrified, they fled in alarm.

      6Panic seized them there,
Anguish, as of a woman in childbirth.

      7With the east wind
You break the ships of Tarshish.

      8As we have heard, so have we seen
In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God;
God will establish her forever.

Selah.

      9We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God,
In the midst of Your temple.

      10As is Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.

      11Let Mount Zion be glad,
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments.

      12Walk about Zion and go around her;
Count her towers;

      13Consider her ramparts;
Go through her palaces,
That you may tell it to the next generation.

      14For such is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will guide us until death.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Evidence in Scripture, Father / Yahweh, Guide, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus Christ / Yeshua

Remain Faithful, Even When You Do Not Understand

Often when Yahweh is at work, we may have trouble fully understanding His glorious work and how everything fits together. Peter had just correctly identified Yeshua as the Christ and then was rebuked strongly for admonishing Yeshua when He spoke about His coming suffering and death.  With that as backdrop, several of the disciples then experience an amazing event we call the transfiguration. Through it all, they did not fully understand how God’s plan was fitting together, but they remained faithful and continued on with Yeshua.

Mark 9:1-13

The Transfiguration

      1And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

      2Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” 8All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.

      9As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. 10They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. 11They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13“But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.”

The disciples did not fully understand all of what they witnessed or how to put all of these experiences together to see what Yahweh was doing. They did, however, obediently follow Yeshua through all of it. We could take time to digest a lot in this scripture. The experience is deep and rich. I would encourage each of you to click the link to scripture and review some of the Commentaries available on Bible Hub. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary is typically helpful if you are looking for one that is not as detailed. MacLaren’s is also helpful, providing more detail.

I am focusing today on the faithfulness of the disciples, even when they did not understand how everything that God was showing them fit together. They did not know what to make of the transfiguration, afraid, but they remained with Yeshua. They did not understand even what Yeshua meant when He instructed them to not tell anyone until after He had risen from the dead. They must have been expecting this to be parable instead of literal. They did not understand what scripture meant by indicating that Elijah must come first. But they trusted in Yeshua. They turned to Him with questions and journeyed with Him as their teacher and friend. The learned along the way. When the Holy Spirit filled them after Yeshua left, they were ready to go and make disciples of others.

Do not be discouraged if you don’t fully understand what God is doing in your life or the life of others around you. Trust Him. Seek Him. Ask Him to show you. Continue walking with Him and draw near to Him. We don’t need to understand the whole picture as we go. God has that under control. We need to faithfully obey and do our part well.

One more parting thought pertaining to the truth of scripture. These verses, along with many others, paint our early church fathers in a rather unflattering light. Peter not only got rebuked by Yeshua in chapter 8, but in chapter 9 the three become terrified witnessing the transfiguration. Peter does not know what to do and suggests making three tabernacles… and does not even merit an answer documented in scripture here regarding his thought. As they go down the mountain, they do not understand the meaning of not telling anyone until Yeshua has risen from the dead. This is solid proof, beyond a reasonable doubt, that scripture is in fact true. It has not been altered to favorably reflect church leaders and “heroes of the faith”. Quite the contrary, it continually documents their failings alongside their successes. The Bible is most certainly an accurate historical document.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for revealing Yourself and Your word to us. Help us to trust in You for how and when You allow us to understand more and draw closer to You. Please help us to be strong in faith and follow even when we do not understand the things that are going on all around us. Thank You for helping us when we get it wrong to gain a better understanding. Thank You for encouraging us when we are discouraged by our mistakes and thank You that we can put our hope and faith in You above all else, no matter what is happening around us! Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Grace / Forgiveness, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Merciful

Yahweh Is a God of Restoration

Yahweh is a God of restoration. Even when He brings discipline to His people that results in challenges and suffering, His heart and His plans are toward restoration.

I am so glad that He forgives and heals and restores! I am glad that my mistakes are not so big that I cannot be reconciled to God.

We should follow this example personally as well with relationships in our lives. There may be times of separation or difficult consequences, but our heart should  be toward restoration of relationships if the person/people involved turn from whatever wickedness or difficulty created the rift in the first place.

If we created the rift, then we should repent, ask forgiveness, and seek restoration.

Jeremiah 33

Restoration Promised

      1Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still confined in the court of the guard, saying, 2“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name, 3‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ 4“For thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah which are broken down to make a defense against the siege ramps and against the sword, 5‘While they are coming to fight with the Chaldeans and to fill them with the corpses of men whom I have slain in My anger and in My wrath, and I have hidden My face from this city because of all their wickedness: 6‘Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth. 7‘I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and will rebuild them as they were at first. 8‘I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned against Me and by which they have transgressed against Me. 9‘It will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for them, and they will fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that I make for it.’

      10“Thus says the LORD, ‘Yet again there will be heard in this place, of which you say, “It is a waste, without man and without beast,” that is, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast,

11the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say,
“Give thanks to the LORD of hosts,
For the LORD is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting”;
and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,’ says the LORD.

      12“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘There will again be in this place which is waste, without man or beast, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds who rest their flocks. 13‘In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the Negev, in the land of Benjamin, in the environs of Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who numbers them,’ says the LORD.

The Davidic Kingdom

      14‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15‘In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. 16‘In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the LORD is our righteousness.’ 17“For thus says the LORD, ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; 18and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices continually.’”

      19The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 20“Thus says the LORD, ‘If you can break My covenant for the day and My covenant for the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, 21then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levitical priests, My ministers. 22‘As the host of heaven cannot be counted and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.’”

      23And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 24“Have you not observed what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD chose, He has rejected them’? Thus they despise My people, no longer are they as a nation in their sight. 25“Thus says the LORD, ‘If My covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have not established, 26then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, not taking from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.’”

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Consequences of Sin, Discipline / Guidance From God, Father / Yahweh, Grace / Forgiveness, Justice / Judgment, Merciful, Protector / Deliverer, Wickedness / Evil, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Embrace Rather than Reject God’s Message Amidst Adversity

There are several themes of which to take note in Jeremiah 32. Consider them as you read the passage below.

  • Jeremiah brought the true word of God, and people did not want to hear it. He was imprisoned because of it. Do not expect everyone to embrace God’s message or messenger, especially when bringing correction. However, we are still called to carry out God’s instructions and deliver His word, even if it is hard.
  • Sometimes what God asks us to do will seem to have no effect on those to whom He sends us. Nevertheless, we are to do as He tells us.
  • It is not good for God’s people to stir up God’s wrath by rejecting Him and His ways. He is a loving father and will pursue them, even if He needs to discipline them harshly to get their attention.
  • Often, when God corrects us, he is doing it for our own benefit, and that of our children who come after us.
  • Even as God plans correction and rebuke, He has in mind reconciliation of His people to Himself.
  • Nothing is too difficult for God.

Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah Imprisoned

      1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. 2Now at that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard, which was in the house of the king of Judah, 3because Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will take it; 4and Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye; 5and he will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and he will be there until I visit him,” declares the LORD. “If you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed”’?”

      6And Jeremiah said, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 7‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle is coming to you, saying, “Buy for yourself my field which is at Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.”’ 8“Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the guard according to the word of the LORD and said to me, ‘Buy my field, please, that is at Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin; for you have the right of possession and the redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

      9“I bought the field which was at Anathoth from Hanamel my uncle’s son, and I weighed out the silver for him, seventeen shekels of silver. 10“I signed and sealed the deed, and called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. 11“Then I took the deeds of purchase, both the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions and the open copy; 12and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of Hanamel my uncle’s son and in the sight of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, before all the Jews who were sitting in the court of the guard. 13“And I commanded Baruch in their presence, saying, 14‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Take these deeds, this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may last a long time.” 15‘For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”’

Jeremiah Prays and God Explains

      16“After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, then I prayed to the LORD, saying, 17‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, 18who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name; 19great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds; 20who has set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and even to this day both in Israel and among mankind; and You have made a name for Yourself, as at this day. 21‘You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and with wonders, and with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm and with great terror; 22and gave them this land, which You swore to their forefathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. 23‘They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey Your voice or walk in Your law; they have done nothing of all that You commanded them to do; therefore You have made all this calamity come upon them. 24‘Behold, the siege ramps have reached the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword, the famine and the pestilence; and what You have spoken has come to pass; and behold, You see it. 25‘You have said to me, O Lord GOD, “Buy for yourself the field with money and call in witnesses”—although the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’”

      26Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 27“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” 28Therefore thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will take it. 29“The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will enter and set this city on fire and burn it, with the houses where people have offered incense to Baal on their roofs and poured out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. 30“Indeed the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah have been doing only evil in My sight from their youth; for the sons of Israel have been only provoking Me to anger by the work of their hands,” declares the LORD. 31“Indeed this city has been to Me a provocation of My anger and My wrath from the day that they built it, even to this day, so that it should be removed from before My face, 32because of all the evil of the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah which they have done to provoke Me to anger—they, their kings, their leaders, their priests, their prophets, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 33“They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction. 34“But they put their detestable things in the house which is called by My name, to defile it. 35“They built the high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

      36“Now therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine and by pestilence.’ 37“Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety. 38“They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. 40“I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. 41“I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. 42“For thus says the LORD, ‘Just as I brought all this great disaster on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them. 43‘Fields will be bought in this land of which you say, “It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” 44‘Men will buy fields for money, sign and seal deeds, and call in witnesses in the land of Benjamin, in the environs of Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland and in the cities of the Negev; for I will restore their fortunes,’ declares the LORD.”

Take a few minutes and prayerfully reflect on the themes we highlighted before the scripture passage. Ask God to show you how they apply in your life today.

As you reflect on the discipline God’s people endured as described in this chapter of Jeremiah, consider God’s reasons.

 38“They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. 40“I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.

God was acting for their own good and the good of their children after them. He was not just being vindictive or mean or getting even. Like a good father with his children, God wants what is best for us.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Yahweh Is A Good Father: Let Us Honor Him

As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is good to also focus on our Creator and Father in addition to celebrating good earthy fathers. Take time to prayerfully and thoughtfully reflect on who He is and what He has already done for You.

Respect and honor who God is. Take a few moments and be still before God. Contemplate the character of God:

  • The Great I Am
  • Creator of All
  • All Knowing (omniscient)
  • All Powerful (omnipotent)
  • Present In All Places at All Times (omnipresent)
  • Unchanging (immutable)
  • Eternal (without beginning or end)
  • Incapable of Making a Mistake (flawless)
  • Infinite (without limit or boundaries)
  • Holy (worthy of devotion as one perfect in goodness)
  • Just (behaving according to what is morally right and fair)
  • The Beginning and the End (Alpha and Omega)

In Ephesians  1:18-19 Paul prays “…that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”

Reflect on the greatness of God’s power toward you as God the Father. He is Father, Provider, Shelter, and Protector.

Honor and glorify His name. God’s name is to be separated from the world. To do this, we must separate from the world and focus on God. Focus on the Biblical names for God.

Focus on God’s character, praise Him and be thankful. His character should be reflected in our character.

  • Compassionate
  • Gracious
  • Humble
  • Pure (in body and mind)
  • Merciful
  • Giving (in time and resources)
  • Slow to anger / Patient
  • Filled with love
  • Truthful
  • Forgiving
  • Kind
  • Faithful
  • Wise
  • Servant’s heart
  • Disciplined (self-control)
  • Joyful
  • Holy (set apart from sin; set apart for God’s purpose)
  • Just (e.g. justice)

Consider picking one or more of God’s characteristics, starting with the one you understand the least, and study its meaning including study of application in scriptures. This activity will renew your mind in that area and, in turn, transform your character to be more like God and our Lord Jesus Christ. After completing this, consider doing for the other character traits over time, perhaps one a week.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for being such a wonderful Father. Thank You for caring for me even when I may not understand why I experience certain things that may be difficult. You are worthy of praise. You are the model for the father I should strive to be. Please help me (and/or pray for fathers in your life here) to become more like You. Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.