Day 151 – Jeremiah: God’s judgment on Judah
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 ESV
Reading Jeremiah 1:1 to Jeremiah 45:5
Jeremiah confronted many people with their sins: kings, false prophets, those in the temples, and those at the gates. A lack of response made Jeremiah wonder if he was doing any good at all. He often felt discouraged and sometimes bitter. To bring such gloomy messages to these people was a hard task. We, too, have a responsibility to bring this news to a fallen world: those who continue in their sinful ways are eternally doomed. Although we may feel discouraged by the lack of response, we must press on to tell others about the consequences of sin and the hope that God offers. Those who tell people only what they want to hear are being unfaithful to God’s message.
Chapters 1 to 45 are broken into 6 segments:
- The call of Jeremiah and the first visions
- Jeremiah condemns Judah for its sins
- Jeremiah prophesies destruction
- Jeremiah accuses Judah’s leaders
- Restoration is promised
- God’s promised judgment arrives
As you work through Jeremiah, take time to understand his heart and search for God’s heart within the prophecies.
Prayer: Father, Your beloved nation has been warned repeatedly, and yet they chose not to repent and return to You. Search our hearts, Lord, and show us the areas we still need to bring to repentance so we can choose You over and over. Amen.
