Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 12-14; Matthew 22
Devotional Thought:
Many people today struggle with the prosperity of the wicked. God certainly has made it clear that we are not to fret over their prosperity, but still so many Christians do. Jeremiah did in chapter twelve. Jeremiah couldn’t understand why a holy God would permit the false prophets and the unfaithful priests to prosper in their ministries while he, a faithful servant of God, was treated like a sacrificial lamb. If we are not careful, we become as temporal sighted as Jeremiah was. God sees a panoramic view of our lives and the events of the whole world. He is not ever surprised by any event or circumstance. In fact, Ephesians 1:11 states that God knows every decision that man will ever make and He has taken all of those decisions and made one immutable plan according to the counsel of his own will. God never interferes with man’s will, but He certainly knows what decisions man will make. He is fully aware of everything that comes into my life and He knows what you are facing today. Whether it is at the hand of good or evil people, God is working it together for our good and ultimately His glory. He is never out of control, but in our flesh we struggle, like Jeremiah, when the wicked seem to prosper and we suffer. God convinces Jeremiah, like He does the Psalmist, that there is a day coming for the wicked. Do not worry about competing with them; your eternity will be much different. God is always about helping us get our eyes off the here and now and placing our perspective on the eternal. The wicked will one day be cut down like the grass, while we rule and reign with Christ. We have the responsibility to help them see Christ now, so they can repent while there is still time. God reminds Jeremiah of his responsibility to be a witness and testimony, not to compete and compare. In verse 16-17, God predicts their future. “And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.” Oh what a responsibility for the Christian to keep his eyes on Christ and His program. We can get so distracted and easily discouraged when we look around instead of looking up. God does not owe me an explanation for why He allows things to happen the way they do. Why certain people prosper while others seems to struggle. I know that He is putting it all together for His ultimately glory and I am just privileged to participate. I am so grateful for the part God lets me have in His program. I just want to be found faithful! How about you?
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to keep my eyes on you. Thank you for caring about the events in my life and promising me grace, mercy, and wisdom.
• Lord, thank you for the eternal life you have provided for me. Please help me to be faithful to share the gospel with those who are around me. Help me to see them in their need rather than compete with them in their greed.
• Lord, please help me to embrace the grace for today and everyday, so that I may be found faithful in your sight.