Jeremiah 35-52
Resuming the journey... I have fallen seriously behind in this "Bible in 90 Days" -- so much so that it's more like "The Bible in 390 Days!" But that's ok, the important thing is that I'm picking up right where I left off -- in Jeremiah. I know I should do a little back tracking first, but it's hard... I'm an impatient person and when I read this book, I just want to say, "Hurry and be done with it already!"
I guess finally God did get down to it...
Jeremiah 39 is about the fall of Jerusalem.... Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard and the word of the Lord came to him...
Jeremiah 39:16
This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.
That comforts m me on many levels - so often when we try to live the right way and do as God commands, we find ourselves held captive to negativity or shunning. All Jeremiah was doing throughout this book is being obedient to God, giving messages from him, but unfortunately not many want to hear, or heed, the truth. It's comforting to be reminded that while God never promised obedience would be easy or without "confinement" - he did promise we wouldn't be alone and that he would deliver us. As a Navy Mom -- I also find comfort in that scripture!
Sometimes it's us who put the chains on ourselves... Like me with this journey.... I've let so many other things distract me, I've let the chains of thinking I'm too far behind, why bother now, stop me many a day. I've let the chains of misplaced priorities leave no time to do this. I was really encouraged to read Jeremiah 40 on this day that I freed myself from those chains and dove back in...
Jeremiah 40 is titled simply, "Jeremiah Freed."
I like that. Perhaps I should title this, "Michelle Freed," in this first entry in like forever...
Jeremiah 40:4
"But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists...."
I just love that.
Free me from my chains, Lord!
Free Brandon from the chains of seizures!
No matter how the chains got there, who put them there, others or you... God can free you from them.
God always promises that he will deliver us...
In Jeremiah 51:56 it says:
"For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full."
I think that's a good way to end this day's reading. And a pretty good summary of Jeremiah, to me. God will repay disobedience in full, and he
will repay obedience in full.
We simply have to decide which category we want to be in!
