Daily Devotional for October 24, 2015
Jeremiah 12
Scripture:
Jeremiah’s Complaint:
1 You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.
3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter!
4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, “He will not see what happens to us.”
God’s Response:
5 “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?
Observation:
Like Jeremiah, I have wondered why it appears that those who disregard the Lord seem to have it so easy. I have also wondered why it seems so hard to do what is right. Then I remember that this life is temporary. While we are serving the Lord here on earth, He is preparing a place for us in eternity. Our task, again like Jeremiah, is to share the message of God’s love to as many people as possible. As Spirit-Empowered Men, we must keep our eyes focused on the Lord and fulfilling His purposes.
Don’t forget! Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome any obstacle in front of us, so that when the time comes, we’ll be able to run with horses.
Application:
- Personal Application: Don’t give up! No matter how hard it seems, through the power of the Holy Spirit you can finish the race. If you get discouraged, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to keep going. Also, go to one of your Spirit-Empowered friends so he can encourage you and pray for you.
- Family Devotional: Read this passage to your family. Remind them of the difference between the temporary and the eternal things in life. Encourage them to focus on the eternal reward and to keep going, one step at a time. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God to keep your eyes focused on eternity and on Him.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will not get caught looking around, but will keep their eyes focused on the Lord.
Three-Year Reading Plan for Sunday, October 18 – Sunday, October 25:
- Sunday, October 18: Jeremiah 6
- Monday, October 19: Jeremiah 7
- Tuesday, October 20: Jeremiah 8
- Wednesday, October 21: Jeremiah 9
- Thursday, October 22: Jeremiah 10
- Friday, October 23: Jeremiah 11
- Saturday, October 24: Jeremiah 12
- Sunday, October 25: Jeremiah 13
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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