Category Archives: Fear / Reverence for God

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Hope, Seeking God, Tribulation

Frustration, Faith, and Seeking Understanding (Job 13)

Have you ever faced frustration in the midst of suffering, where well-meaning advice seems empty and unhelpful?

Step into Job 13, where Job, grappling with immense pain, expresses frustration toward his friends’ answers.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, Job’s unwavering faith shines through, declaring his hope in God even in the face of potential death.

Join us as we explore the depth of Job’s emotions, his insistence on innocence, and his resolve to bring his case before God in search of understanding.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture.)

Job 13

Job Says His Friends’ Proverbs Are Ashes

1“Behold, my eye has seen all this,
My ear has heard and understood it.
2“What you know I also know;
I am not inferior to you.

3“But I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to argue with God.

4“But you smear with lies;
You are all worthless physicians.

5“O that you would be completely silent,
And that it would become your wisdom!

6“Please hear my argument
And listen to the contentions of my lips.

7“Will you speak what is unjust for God,
And speak what is deceitful for Him?

8“Will you show partiality for Him?
Will you contend for God?

9“Will it be well when He examines you?
Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man?

10“He will surely reprove you
If you secretly show partiality.

11“Will not His majesty terrify you,
And the dread of Him fall on you?

12“Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay.

Job Is Sure He Will Be Vindicated

13“Be silent before me so that I may speak;
Then let come on me what may.

14“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And put my life in my hands?

15“Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

16“This also will be my salvation,
For a godless man may not come before His presence.

17“Listen carefully to my speech,
And let my declaration fill your ears.

18“Behold now, I have prepared my case;
I know that I will be vindicated.

19“Who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and die.

20“Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide from Your face:

21Remove Your hand from me,
And let not the dread of You terrify me.

22“Then call, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, then reply to me.

23“How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my rebellion and my sin.

24“Why do You hide Your face
And consider me Your enemy?

25“Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble?
Or will You pursue the dry chaff?

26“For You write bitter things against me
And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

27“You put my feet in the stocks
And watch all my paths;
You set a limit for the soles of my feet,

28While I am decaying like a rotten thing,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. Job’s Frustration with Friends: Delve into Job’s frustration as he grapples with his friends’ answers to his suffering. Despite acknowledging their logical arguments, Job expresses immense pain, feeling that their responses offer no helpful insight or comfort.
  2. Unwavering Faith in God: Explore the strong indication of faith in Job’s declaration of hope in God in verse 15, even if God were to kill him. Despite the intense suffering, Job’s faith remains resilient, showcasing a profound trust in God’s character.
  3. Insistence on Innocence and Seeking Understanding: Experience the struggle as Job’s insists on his lack of guilt as the cause of his suffering. Take note of his resolve to bring his case before God, emphasizing the importance of seeking understanding even in the midst of deep pain.

As we immerse ourselves in the emotions of Job 13, let’s reflect on the frustration that can accompany suffering and the resilience of faith that endures.

Share your thoughts on facing unhelpful advice and maintaining trust in God in the comments, creating a space for open dialogue. Engage with friends and family and also share in the comments.

Consider times when you’ve wrestled with seeking understanding in challenging circumstances and how faith played a role.

Consider also, how you approach helping and comforting someone else who is struggling when they are facing great pain.

Join us in exploring the depths of Job’s experience, drawing strength from his unwavering faith and determination to seek understanding even in the midst of profound pain.

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.

Fear / Reverence for God, Guide, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays, Unteachable / Foolish

Can We Turn What God Calls Bad into Good?

Have you ever found yourself caught in the embrace of cherished traditions, those familiar threads weaving through the tapestry of your life?

The warmth of holiday memories, the joy of family gatherings—these traditions often feel like an integral part of who we are. But in the gentle balance between faith and tradition, a thought emerges:

Can we, in our heartfelt attempts, turn what God deems as bad into something good?

Christmas, and many holiday traditions common to Christians today, serve as powerful examples. There are many traditions of pagan origin. Many don’t know this and don’t even think to ask or test their traditions. Many more do know the traditions are of pagan origin, but convince themselves that we can turn what God said was bad into something good by associating Christmas traditions with Jesus.

Is this true? What does God say in the Bible?

📜 Lessons from Exodus: A Warning Echoes Through Time

Picture this: A people, just liberated from slavery, witnessing the miraculous hand of God through ten plagues and also miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, the defeat of Pharaoh’s army, God appearing as fire and smoke to lead them, manna and water miraculously to meet their needs in the dessert.

Surely, we would think that generation could never turn from the ways of God, but they did. They allowed themselves to revert to influences from the Egyptian culture in which they had lived for generations and worship the Golden Calf.

But if we look closer, they were not worshipping Egyptian gods, but Yahweh! They called it a feast unto Yahweh who led them out of Egypt.

Did this effort to tie pagan traditions with worshipping Yahweh turn what was bad in God’s eyes to something good?

Exodus 32:1-10

The Golden Calf

      1Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

      7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8“They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10“Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

Clearly God was not pleased and did not consider it good to worship along pagan customs like the golden calf… even if the people were attributing it to Yahweh.

Have you ever found yourself holding tight to holiday traditions that you know are of pagan origin, but making excuses for why they are good because we have tied them to Jesus?

Despite your good intentions, it may be time to ask yourself if what you are doing aligns with God’s desires.

📖 Scriptural Clarity: Yahweh’s Unchanging Standard

In the sacred verses of Deuteronomy 12:30-32, a timeless truth resounds. The Israelites, worshipping Yahweh through the Golden Calf, mirrored the detestable practices of pagan nations and God was not pleased.

Can we glean insights into God’s unchanging expectations for our worship and traditions today?

Deuteronomy 12:30-32

30beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31“You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

      32“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

The Israelites may have been worshipping Yahweh, but they were doing so in like manner to how the Egyptians worshipped their false gods by making idols.

Yahweh has not changed His opinion on what is good and what is bad. He still does not want us to worship Him with idols or with any of the manners or traditions with which the pagans worship false gods.

If we take the time to study our common Christmas and Easter traditions (and other traditions as well), we will certainly find the history of many of these traditions are derived not from God’s word, but from pagan worship practices.

Christians have created new meanings for many of these traditions and tried to tie them to Jesus, as the Israelites tied worshipping God to the golden calf, but they still are derived from pagan worship.

As we saw in scripture with the golden calf, Yahweh is not pleased, even if we say it is Him whom we are worshipping.

Do not repeat the error of the Israelites, which drew great anger from Yahweh. Instead, learn the history and true origin of the traditions you practice. Reject the ones that are derived from pagan worship. Do not accept something just because it is a family or cultural “tradition”.

Test and explore to understand the true origin and whether or not it may be offensive to our Lord.

Do not fool yourself that you can take what is bad in His eyes and make it good by creating new Christian stories around old pagan traditions. Choose the Lord’s ways over even dear traditions that may be emotionally difficult to walk away from.

Do not be like Lot’s wife who looked back at Sodom while leaving, but rather leave behind the past things without looking back on them.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead and guide Your people. Help us to have discernment and courage.  Help us to be hungry to seek Your ways and quick to challenge our own traditions against Your holy word in the Bible. Help us learn from the Israelites history documented in the scriptures that we cannot turn what is bad into good. We can simply choose whether or not to turn away from what is bad toward Your ways. Amen. 

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

John

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.

 

Discerning / Judging, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Love, Salvation, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Living in the Light of Christ’s Return (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the routines and demands that often consume our attention. But have you ever paused to consider the profound truth that Christ’s return is imminent?

Join us on a reflective journey through 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 as we explore the urgent call to live our lives with the reality of Christ’s imminent return.

Let’s delve into these verses together, discovering the transformative power of living in the light of this extraordinary hope and the impact it can have on our daily lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

The Day of the Lord

      1Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. The Imminence of Christ’s Return: Paul begins by emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the timing of Christ’s return. He encourages believers to be vigilant, living in a state of readiness, as the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
  2. Children of the Light: In these verses, Paul contrasts believers with those who are spiritually asleep. Christians are called “children of the light” and “children of the day,” urged to remain alert and sober-minded, not succumbing to the spiritual slumber that characterizes the darkness.
  3. The Armor of Faith and Love: Paul speaks of putting on the armor of faith and love, emphasizing the transformative power of these virtues. Faith and love serve as a protective shield, guarding believers against the darkness of the world and preparing them for the ultimate hope of salvation.
  4. The Assurance of God’s Salvation: The passage concludes with a comforting assurance that God has destined believers for salvation. Whether awake or asleep, they can live confidently, knowing that God’s love and grace will lead them to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

As we delve into the profound truths of 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, let’s reflect on the call to live in the light of Christ’s return.

How does the imminent return of Jesus shape our perspective on life, hope, and readiness?

Take a moment for personal reflection and prayer, considering how these verses resonate with your own journey of faith.

Additionally, share your insights with a friend or family member, discussing what it means to live as ‘children of the light’ in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Join the conversation, and let’s explore together the transformative power embedded in living with the awareness of Christ’s imminent return.

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

John

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.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Finding Strength in Faith: A Message of Hope for Every Believer

In Jeremiah 42, the remnant of the people who remained in Judah after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem seek guidance from the prophet Jeremiah. They ask him to pray to God and provide them with guidance on whether they should stay in Judah or go to Egypt to escape further Babylonian oppression.

There are several key themes which apply in our  lives even today:

Seeking God’s Guidance: The people in Jeremiah 42 come to Jeremiah seeking guidance and direction from God. They recognize the importance of seeking divine wisdom in making significant life decisions. In our lives, we should also seek God’s guidance through prayer and reflection when facing important choices or challenges.

Obedience to God’s Will: In their request, the people commit to following whatever God instructs them through Jeremiah. This theme emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s will, even when His guidance may not align with our preferences. It reminds us to be willing to submit to God’s plan and trust in His wisdom.

Fear vs. Faith: The people in Jeremiah 42 were motivated by fear of the Babylonians, which led them to consider fleeing to Egypt. The chapter highlights the tension between fear and faith. It encourages us to examine our motivations and consider whether our decisions are driven by fear or a deep trust in God.

Consequences of Choices: The chapter also serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of our choices. The people’s decision to go to Egypt, despite God’s warning through Jeremiah, resulted in calamity. This underscores the importance of making decisions with a full understanding of the potential consequences.

God’s Sovereignty: Ultimately, Jeremiah 42 reinforces the theme of God’s sovereignty. God’s guidance through Jeremiah is a reminder that His plans and purposes prevail over human decisions. This encourages us to acknowledge God’s authority and trust in His providence.

In our lives today, we can apply these themes by seeking God’s guidance through prayer, committing to obey His will, examining the role of fear in our decisions, understanding the consequences of our choices, and recognizing God’s sovereignty in our lives. Jeremiah 42 offers valuable insights into decision-making and the importance of aligning our choices with God’s purposes.

Jeremiah  42

Warning against Going to Egypt

      1Then all the commanders of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people both small and great approached 2and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our petition come before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, that is for all this remnant; because we are left but a few out of many, as your own eyes now see us, 3that the LORD your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do.” 4Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the LORD will answer you. I will not keep back a word from you.” 5Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us. 6“Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the LORD our God.”

      7Now at the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah. 8Then he called for Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him, and for all the people both small and great, 9and said to them, “Thus says the LORD the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: 10‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. 11‘Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,’ declares the LORD, ‘for I am with you to save you and deliver you from his hand. 12‘I will also show you compassion, so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own soil. 13‘But if you are going to say, “We will not stay in this land,” so as not to listen to the voice of the LORD your God, 14saying, “No, but we will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the sound of a trumpet or hunger for bread, and we will stay there”; 15then in that case listen to the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “If you really set your mind to enter Egypt and go in to reside there, 16then the sword, which you are afraid of, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the famine, about which you are anxious, will follow closely after you there in Egypt, and you will die there. 17“So all the men who set their mind to go to Egypt to reside there will die by the sword, by famine and by pestilence; and they will have no survivors or refugees from the calamity that I am going to bring on them.”’”

      18For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “As My anger and wrath have been poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so My wrath will be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And you will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach; and you will see this place no more.” 19The LORD has spoken to you, O remnant of Judah, “Do not go into Egypt!” You should clearly understand that today I have testified against you. 20For you have only deceived yourselves; for it is you who sent me to the LORD your God, saying, “Pray for us to the LORD our God; and whatever the LORD our God says, tell us so, and we will do it.” 21So I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the LORD your God, even in whatever He has sent me to tell you. 22Therefore you should now clearly understand that you will die by the sword, by famine and by pestilence, in the place where you wish to go to reside.

Take time to reflect on the key themes above. Perhaps reread them now that you have read the scripture itself. Ask God to help and guide you in major decisions in your life and then obey, even if it is not what you want.

I am experiencing that in my life today and for the last year. God led me to leave my job of 26 years and called me to ministry to help heal and restore broken marriages. It was not a path I would have chosen and it has had challenges along the way. For me, His calling is a bit like His call for the Israelites in Jeremiah 42 to stay in Israel and not flee to Egypt. It goes against my reason, and brings my fear into tension with my faith.

I choose faith. What will you choose in your life?

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.

Fear / Reverence for God, Heaven and Hell, Help / Serve Others, Interceding for Others, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News

To Live Is Christ And To Die Is Gain

Paul set an incredible example for us to consider and follow. His faith was such that even facing death, he was not afraid. He was absolutely confident in life after death with and through Yeshua. He knew that when he would die, he would be with his Lord and Savior and this is good. He also knew that to live still allowed him to help others to know and follow Yeshua.

Philippians 1:21-30

To Live Is Christ

     21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

      27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Paul was facing execution and suffering. He was not contemplating suicide. That is important to note for some who may take this message out of context. Murder, even of one’s self is wrong.

Join me in praying for the body of Christ, believers everywhere, that they would truly be strong in faith and know that they will go to the Lord after they die. Pray also for others who do not know Yeshua but think they do… that they would not fool themselves and grow complacent simply because they use His name and go to church. Pray that they would truly come to know Yeshua in a genuine relationship based on repentance and forgiveness and love.

Pray for the body of Christ also that they would conduct themselves worthy of the gospel of Christ as Paul encouraged the church at Philippi… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, not alarmed by those who oppose Yeshua. Pray that the Spirit would help believers in suffering to stand firm, as Christ did.

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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.

All Powerful / King of All, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Sins of the People Can Lead to Destruction of a Nation

Jeremiah 40:13 through Jeremiah 41 contains an account of events that occurred during a tumultuous time in ancient history. While the context of this passage is specific to the fall of Jerusalem and its aftermath, there is a central themes that can be applied to our lives today.

Consequences of Sin: The events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem were a result of the Israelites’ disobedience and sin. This passage reminds us of the consequences of our actions and the importance of living a righteous life. In our lives today, we should be mindful of the choices we make and their potential consequences.

The challenges and trials Jerusalem and its people endured did not stop with Babylonian conquest. There continued to be further strife and conflict even after Babylon took control. Many people continued to be hurt due to the sin and rebellion of the people against God.

Jeremiah 40:13-16

 13Now Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah 14and said to him, “Are you well aware that Baalis the king of the sons of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam did not believe them. 15Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah, saying, “Let me go and kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and not a man will know! Why should he take your life, so that all the Jews who are gathered to you would be scattered and the remnant of Judah would perish?” 16But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “Do not do this thing, for you are telling a lie about Ishmael.”

Jeremiah 41

Gedaliah Is Murdered

      1In the seventh month Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family and one of the chief officers of the king, along with ten men, came to Mizpah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. While they were eating bread together there in Mizpah, 2Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him arose and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land. 3Ishmael also struck down all the Jews who were with him, that is with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the men of war.

      4Now it happened on the next day after the killing of Gedaliah, when no one knew about it, 5that eighty men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria with their beards shaved off and their clothes torn and their bodies gashed, having grain offerings and incense in their hands to bring to the house of the LORD. 6Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went; and as he met them, he said to them, “Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam!” 7Yet it turned out that as soon as they came inside the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men that were with him slaughtered them and cast them into the cistern. 8But ten men who were found among them said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death; for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil and honey hidden in the field.” So he refrained and did not put them to death along with their companions.

      9Now as for the cistern where Ishmael had cast all the corpses of the men whom he had struck down because of Gedaliah, it was the one that King Asa had made on account of Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain. 10Then Ishmael took captive all the remnant of the people who were in Mizpah, the king’s daughters and all the people who were left in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard had put under the charge of Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; thus Ishmael the son of Nethaniah took them captive and proceeded to cross over to the sons of Ammon.

Johanan Rescues the People

      11But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done. 12So they took all the men and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and they found him by the great pool that is in Gibeon. 13Now as soon as all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah and the commanders of the forces that were with him, they were glad. 14So all the people whom Ishmael had taken captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah. 15But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men and went to the sons of Ammon. 16Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him took from Mizpah all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, after he had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, that is, the men who were soldiers, the women, the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon. 17And they went and stayed in Geruth Chimham, which is beside Bethlehem, in order to proceed into Egypt 18because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, since Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

We will not likely face an army conquering our cities and towns. However, we are definitely facing a time where the sinful and rebellious attitudes of the people against God are leading our nation down a bad path filled with malice and apathy toward God and His instructions for us.

Seek God’s help to identify areas in your life where you need to make a change and submit to Him again. Where do you need to stand up and join with other followers of Christ to resist the sinful nature of our nation and the path it is on. Do not sit by and accept it as our nation continues to degrade and move farther from God. Stand up. Get involved. Take action. Also, pray for communities, cities, states, and our nation and for the leaders.

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.

Discipline / Guidance From God, Faithful, Fear / Reverence for God, Grace / Forgiveness, His Timing Not Ours, Justice / Judgment, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

What God Declares Will Come to Pass

Whether or not we agree with or like what God has declared, He is still in control. In Jeremiah 39, we see the culmination of the fall of Jerusalem which was prophesied by Jeremiah. King Zedekiah and others in Jerusalem did not want or believe this would happen. What God declares, however, will come to pass.

Jeremiah was spared because of his trust in the LORD.

Take time to reflect on how this may apply in your life today. Our city may not be under siege, but we still have things God will pour into our lives. Some we may not want to hear and some may fill us with hope. We should put our trust in God in either case. Repent when called for and call for grace and mercy.

Sometimes, even if what He promises is good, we may struggle because it takes so long to come about. Remain faithful. Hold on to your hope in what the LORD has told you. Be patient, even when it is hard.

Jeremiah 39

Jerusalem Captured

      1Now when Jerusalem was captured in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it; 2in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the city wall was breached. 3Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came in and sat down at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sar-ezer, Samgar-nebu, Sar-sekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. 4When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went out of the city at night by way of the king’s garden through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah. 5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and they seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him. 6Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes at Riblah; the king of Babylon also slew all the nobles of Judah. 7He then blinded Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him in fetters of bronze to bring him to Babylon. 8The Chaldeans also burned with fire the king’s palace and the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9As for the rest of the people who were left in the city, the deserters who had gone over to him and the rest of the people who remained, Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard carried them into exile in Babylon. 10But some of the poorest people who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard left behind in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at that time.


Jeremiah Spared

      11Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, saying, 12“Take him and look after him, and do nothing harmful to him, but rather deal with him just as he tells you.” 13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard sent word, along with Nebushazban the Rab-saris, and Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the leading officers of the king of Babylon; 14they even sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guardhouse and entrusted him to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he stayed among the people.

      15Now the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was confined in the court of the guardhouse, saying, 16“Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold, I am about to bring My words on this city for disaster and not for prosperity; and they will take place before you on that day. 17“But I will deliver you on that day,” declares the LORD, “and you will not be given into the hand of the men whom you dread. 18“For I will certainly rescue you, and you will not fall by the sword; but you will have your own life as booty, because you have trusted in Me,” declares the LORD.’”

We can be sure that the best course of action is to trust in the LORD, even when it seems hard. Take a moment to praise Him for being so trustworthy! Find your rest in God and keep pursuing what He tells you to do.

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, Compassionate, Faith / Trusting God, False Prophets / Teachers, Fear / Reverence for God, Grace / Forgiveness, Hope, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Remain Hopeful in God’s Redemption, Even When Things Are Not as You Want

The key theme of Jeremiah 29 is the message of hope and encouragement for the exiled Israelites living in Babylon. The chapter contains a letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles, urging them to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of the city they are in. He advises them not to be discouraged by their current situation but to trust in God’s plans for their future. The famous verse in Jeremiah 29:11 emphasizes God’s promise of a hopeful and prosperous future for them: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The overall message is to remain faithful, patiently endure the exile, and have confidence in God’s ultimate plan for restoration and blessings.

There is also a warning against those who falsely prophesy in the Lord’s name and convince people to believe in a lie because it is more along the lines of what they want to believe… such as the message that the exile will not be long.

Jeremiah 29

Message to the Exiles

      1Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2(This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) 3The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, 4“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. 6‘Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 7‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ 8“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. 9‘For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD.

      10“For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

      15“Because you have said, ‘The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon’— 16for thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile— 17thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am sending upon them the sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness. 18‘I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse and a horror and a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, 19because they have not listened to My words,’ declares the LORD, ‘which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,’ declares the LORD. 20“You, therefore, hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

      21“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you falsely in My name, ‘Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will slay them before your eyes. 22‘Because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, 23because they have acted foolishly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command them; and I am He who knows and am a witness,” declares the LORD.’”

      24To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying, 25“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying, 26“The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be the overseer in the house of the LORD over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and in the iron collar, 27now then, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who prophesies to you? 28“For he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, ‘The exile will be long; build houses and live in them and plant gardens and eat their produce.’”’”

      29Zephaniah the priest read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet. 30Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying, 31“Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” 32therefore thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants; he will not have anyone living among this people, and he will not see the good that I am about to do to My people,” declares the LORD, “because he has preached rebellion against the LORD.”’”

We can apply this message to our lives as well. Things will not always go the way we want. We are to remain faithful and patiently endure what God leads us through, and have confidence in God’s ultimate plan for restoration and blessings.

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, Fear / Reverence for God, Hope, Humility

God’s Favor Is on the Humble but Punishment Is for Those Who Transgress Against Him

Isaiah 66 is a chapter full of passion that brings the book of Isaiah to a close. It is a lot to take in. Here are a few themes to consider as you read through:

  • God is the creator of all the earth. He does not need man, but He will look toward one who is humble and fears Gods word.
  • For those who will follow the letter of God’s law with sacrifices and such, but are choosing to do what is evil in His sight, He will bring punishment. God hates hypocrisy.
  •  Jerusalem, representing God’s people, will experience joy and restoration at God’s hand.
  • God’s people will endure just as the new heaven and earth He creates. All mankind will bow down before God.
  • There is great suffering for those who transgress God.

Isaiah 66

Heaven Is God’s Throne

      1Thus says the LORD,
“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.
Where then is a house you could build for Me?
And where is a place that I may rest?

      2“For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD.
“But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Hypocrisy Rebuked

3“But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol.
As they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,

      4So I will choose their punishments
And will bring on them what they dread.
Because I called, but no one answered;
I spoke, but they did not listen.
And they did evil in My sight
And chose that in which I did not delight.”

      5Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word:
“Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name’s sake,
Have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy.’
But they will be put to shame.

      6“A voice of uproar from the city, a voice from the temple,
The voice of the LORD who is rendering recompense to His enemies.

      7“Before she travailed, she brought forth;
Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy.

      8“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?
Can a land be born in one day?
Can a nation be brought forth all at once?
As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.

      9“Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD.
“Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.

Joy in Jerusalem’s Future

10“Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her;
Be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her,

      11That you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts,
That you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom.”

      12For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river,
And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.

      13“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

      14Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad,
And your bones will flourish like the new grass;
And the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants,
But He will be indignant toward His enemies.

      15For behold, the LORD will come in fire
And His chariots like the whirlwind,
To render His anger with fury,
And His rebuke with flames of fire.

      16For the LORD will execute judgment by fire
And by His sword on all flesh,
And those slain by the LORD will be many.

      17“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens,
Following one in the center,
Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice,
Will come to an end altogether,” declares the LORD.

      18“For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory. 19“I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. 20“Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a grain offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. 21“I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites,” says the LORD.

      22“For just as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I make will endure before Me,” declares the LORD,
“So your offspring and your name will endure.

      23“And it shall be from new moon to new moon
And from sabbath to sabbath,
All mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the LORD.

      24“Then they will go forth and look
On the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm will not die
And their fire will not be quenched;
And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.”

As you reflect again on the key points, consider the impact on your life. Are you fully submitted to God? Are you living even in part with hypocrisy? Are you transgressing against God? Pray the Spirit gives you clarity and courage to make any needed changes in your life.

  • God is the creator of all the earth. He does not need man, but He will look toward one who is humble and fears Gods word.
  • For those who will follow the letter of God’s law with sacrifices and such, but are choosing to do what is evil in His sight, He will bring punishment. God hates hypocrisy.
  •  Jerusalem, representing God’s people, will experience joy and restoration at God’s hand.
  • God’s people will endure just as the new heaven and earth He creates. All mankind will bow down before God.
  • There is great suffering for those who transgress God.

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.

Consequences of Sin, Fear / Reverence for God, Peace / Rest, Protector / Deliverer, Wickedness / Evil

The Righteous Enter into Peace

Isaiah compares God’s treatment of evil people to that of righteous people in Isaiah 57. We all face difficulties and trials. The righteous find peace and a helper in God. The wicked, find no peace in God. If you put your faith in idols (e.g. money), He will let your idols save you when you call out to Him. Spoiler alert, your idols (money or otherwise) cannot save you the was God can.

Isaiah 57

Evil Leaders Rebuked

1The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart;
And devout men are taken away, while no one understands.
For the righteous man is taken away from evil,

      2He enters into peace;
They rest in their beds,
Each one who walked in his upright way.

      3“But come here, you sons of a sorceress,
Offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute.

      4“Against whom do you jest?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion,
Offspring of deceit,

      5Who inflame yourselves among the oaks,
Under every luxuriant tree,
Who slaughter the children in the ravines,
Under the clefts of the crags?

      6“Among the smooth stones of the ravine
Is your portion, they are your lot;
Even to them you have poured out a drink offering,
You have made a grain offering.
Shall I relent concerning these things?

      7“Upon a high and lofty mountain
You have made your bed.
You also went up there to offer sacrifice.

      8“Behind the door and the doorpost
You have set up your sign;
Indeed, far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself,
And have gone up and made your bed wide.
And you have made an agreement for yourself with them,
You have loved their bed,
You have looked on their manhood.

      9“You have journeyed to the king with oil
And increased your perfumes;
You have sent your envoys a great distance
And made them go down to Sheol.

      10“You were tired out by the length of your road,
Yet you did not say, ‘It is hopeless.’
You found renewed strength,
Therefore you did not faint.

      11“Of whom were you worried and fearful
When you lied, and did not remember Me
Nor give Me a thought?
Was I not silent even for a long time
So you do not fear Me?

      12“I will declare your righteousness and your deeds,
But they will not profit you.

      13“When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind will carry all of them up,
And a breath will take them away.
But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land
And will possess My holy mountain.”

      14And it will be said,
“Build up, build up, prepare the way,
Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.”

      15For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
“I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.

      16“For I will not contend forever,
Nor will I always be angry;
For the spirit would grow faint before Me,
And the breath of those whom I have made.

      17“Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him;
I hid My face and was angry,
And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart.

      18“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,

      19Creating the praise of the lips.
Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,”
Says the LORD, “and I will heal him.”

      20But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
For it cannot be quiet,
And its waters toss up refuse and mud.

      21“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Take time to prayerfully reflect on your relationship with God. Ask Him to show you any areas in your life that are not totally submitted to Him. Ask forgiveness and commit to change. Ask for His help in these areas. Seek His kingdom and His righteousness in all areas of your life. Seek forgiveness through Yeshua (“Jesus” in Hebrew).

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.