Daily Devotional for November 13, 2015
Jeremiah 32
Scripture:
30 “The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made, declares the LORD. 31 From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight. 32 The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done–they, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem. 33 They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. 34 They set up their abominable idols in the house that bears my Name and defiled it. 35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech, though I never commanded, nor did it enter my mind, that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin. 36 “You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be handed over to the king of Babylon’; but this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God.
Observation:
I remember the first time I held hands with a girl. It was in fifth grade and was one of the most exciting, confusing, and anxious times in my life up to that point. I was incredibly nervous and too young to understand all the emotions of that moment. Today, I was walking next to my wife and she grabbed my hand as we walked. Don’t get me wrong, I love holding my wife’s hand and being by her side, however, I was not overwhelmed with as much nervous emotion as I experienced in the fifth grade. It’s interesting that the first time for an experience can be so exhilarating. I remember the first time I preached a sermon, drove a motorcycle, played in a game in front of a crowd and many more emotional experiences. The more you participate in these experiences, the emotional jolt begins to fade. I have found this to be true about hearing the Lord’s voice and the conviction of sin. When we make mistakes, the conviction of the Holy Spirit is there to encourage us to repent and turn our face to the Lord. When we ignore that prompting, over time, the less intense the experience may seem.
This passage illustrates that the people of Israel and Judah have been doing evil since their youth (vs. 30). The Lord says He taught them again and again and they did not listen or respond to the discipline (vs. 33). As Spirit-Empowered Men it is important for us to respond quickly and thoroughly to this prompting of the Holy Spirit. This applies even if we feel justified in our actions or thoughts. If the Lord is truly first in our life, we will not let anything get between us and the Lord. That may include actions, words, or thoughts that do not seem like sin. The Lord may challenge you to turn from sin, avoid specific actions, or even repent of words or thoughts. I encourage you to respond to the Lord’s voice the first time you hear it. While it may not be a big deal now, you definitely don’t want it to grow into something larger and more devastating. The book of Jeremiah is a good example of this. The Lord’s guidance is there to keep you on this Spirit-Empowered Journey, as long as you pay attention to His voice.
Application:
- Personal Application: Even the best of us commit sin. The key to remaining on this Spirit-Empowered Journey is to respond to the discipline of the Lord, quickly and thoroughly. Don’t let sin linger in your life and turn into something larger and more devastating. Stay humble before the Lord and listen to his teaching and discipline. Take one day at a time on this discipleship journey.
- Family Devotional: Read this passage to your family. Remind them how the Lord desires a relationship with us. When we make mistakes, and we will, He will guide us as we will listen to His voice (vs. 33). Encourage them to stay humble and listen to the prompting of the Lord. If we will repent of our sin, God will keep us close to him. Even in the event of continual sin, God’s grace is available for us (vs. 37-38). Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for the gentle guidance the Holy Spirit to reveal sin in our life and the humility to repent and keep traveling on this discipleship journey.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that the Lord will continue guide them on this discipleship journey.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, November 8 – Sunday, November 15:
- Sunday, November 8: Jeremiah 27
- Monday, November 9: Jeremiah 28
- Tuesday, November 10: Jeremiah 29
- Wednesday, November 11: Jeremiah 30
- Thursday, November 12: Jeremiah 31
- Friday, November 13: Jeremiah 32
- Saturday, November 14: Jeremiah 33
- Sunday, November 15: Jeremiah 34
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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