Daily Devotional for November 25, 2015
Jeremiah 44
Scripture:
7 “Now this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Why bring such great disaster on yourselves by cutting off from Judah the men and women, the children and infants, and so leave yourselves without a remnant? 8 Why provoke me to anger with what your hands have made, burning incense to other gods in Egypt, where you have come to live? You will destroy yourselves and make yourselves an object of cursing and reproach among all the nations on earth. 9 Have you forgotten the wickedness committed by your fathers and by the kings and queens of Judah and the wickedness committed by you and your wives in the land of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem?
Observation:
Being a father I am often baffled by the actions of my kids. I scratch my head and wonder, “What in the world is that?” Here is a story that illustrates this experience.
“You know you get in trouble when you’re mean to your brother,” Grandma said. “So why do you do it?”
Jeremy shrugged. “I don’t know. Why can’t Ryan just leave me alone?”
Exasperated with Jeremy for dodging the question, Grandma was tempted to keep scolding Jeremy for his behavior. But what good would it do?
As a parent, grandparent, or even an uncle, we understand this type of conversation. It’s interesting that the Lord asked the Jews living in Egypt the same question, “Why?” I wonder how many times God asks the same question about our actions today.
God expects us to learn from history and from our own mistakes. But do we? Do we tend to repeat the same mistakes over and over again? Do we recognize how we grieve our loving Heavenly Father, who would rather reward us than discipline us? But He is a righteous God. He cannot overlook sin.
Application:
- Personal Application: As Spirit-Empowered Men, we must be careful not to take God’s Word for granted or ignore it all together. God speaks to us because He loves us and wants to lead us on this journey. Carefully consider God’s Word and humbly submit to His direction.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything sticks out to them in verses 1-4. Have a discussion about ignoring God’s Word and what that will cause in your life. Pray with them to hear God’s voice and obey His direction.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you not to point fingers at others, but to honestly examine your own thoughts and actions.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will always carefully consider God’s Word and have the faith to obey His direction.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, November 22 – Sunday, November 29:
- Sunday, November 22: Jeremiah 41
- Monday, November 23: Jeremiah 42
- Tuesday, November 24: Jeremiah 43
- Wednesday, November 25: Jeremiah 44
- Thursday, November 26: Jeremiah 45-46
- Friday, November 27: Jeremiah 47
- Saturday, November 28: Jeremiah 48
- Sunday, November 29: Jeremiah 49
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
Portions of this devotional are adapted from God’s Word for Today, August 26, 2013, written by Marlene Bagnull.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise marked, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblicia, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Fire Bible® elements including all Articles, the Bible Reading Plan, selected black and white maps and charts as noted, Book Introductions and outlines, color maps and the Color Map Index, footnotes, Study Notes, Subject Index, Themefinder™Index are the property of Life Publishers International, Springfield, MO U.S.A. All rights reserved.