Daily Devotional for November 26, 2015
Jeremiah 45-46
Scripture:
1 This is what Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, after Baruch had written on a scroll the words Jeremiah was then dictating: 2 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: 3 You said, ‘Woe to me! The LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ ” 4 [The LORD said,] “Say this to him: ‘This is what the LORD says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the land. 5 Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’ “
Observation:
Baruch was Jeremiah’s faithful assistant. When Jeremiah was persecuted, Baruch was persecuted alongside
him. He recorded Jeremiah’s prophetic words and often read them to the people in spite of great danger.
Not only did Baruch share Jeremiah’s persecution, but he also shared the prophet’s inner turmoil at the judgments God announced. Jeremiah is the “weeping prophet,” so Baruch could be called be the “weeping assistant.”
Sometimes it feels like God adds sorrow to pain. But just as God gave Baruch a word of comfort, we can be sure that God’s heart is to comfort us when we find ourselves in sorrow and pain.
In verse 5, God promised Baruch that He would personally protect him. Even though trouble seemed to follow him through life, the presence of the Lord would protect him wherever he went. This same promise of protection is also for us in times of grief.
Application:
- Personal Application: God will comfort us. Today, on Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful that God will comfort us wherever we are.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Remind them that God will comfort you when you need it most. Lead them into a time of reflection and thanks for all the things that God has done in your life. Pray and give thanks and worship to the Lord for who He is.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Spend time giving thanks and worship to Jesus for all He has done in our lives.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will always have an attitude of thanks to the Lord.
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, 2014, written by Kevin Dawson.
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