Daily Devotion and Meditation on the Word of God on January 24, 2009

Hello My Friend; Good day.



Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 39. In this chapter the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was finally actualized. Many people from Judah were taken into exile. Only the poor people, the sick and lonely were left behind. Jeremiah was among those left behind but to his glory he had favour from the Lord and from the King of Babylon. King Zedekiah who did not hid the warnings of Jeremiah attempted to escape at the last minute but was captured and taken to Riblah, where the king of Babylon put him on trial and passed sentence. His sons were killed before his eyes and after that, his eyes were poked out, and he was put in chains. His palace was burned down and Jerusalem completely destroyed. That was the reward of the wicked, but look at verses 11 and 12. Nebuchadnezzar had given the following orders to Nebuzaradan: "Find Jeremiah and keep him safe. Take good care of him and do whatever he asks." In verses 16-18 God sent Jeremiah to tell Ebedmelech from Ethiopia as follows: "I am the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, .....and you will see it happen. But because you trusted me, I will protect you from the officials of Judah, I will rescue you and keep you alive. I, the Lord have spoken." This is the reward of those who trusted the Lord.



Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because he wept for his beloved nation and city, Jerusalem. His people did not believe him but took him for an enemy. How sad it was that the people he loved the most and prayed for every moment of his life hated him so much. But God does not forget and His words are always true. Zedekiah, son of King Josiah and last King of Judah ended very poorly because of his stubbornness. He died in Babylon a miserable death after he witnessed all his sons killed, and his eyes poked out by the Babylonians. The reward of Jeremiah was foretold in chapter 25:2 thus, "I will cause the enemy to treat you well in the day of evil. Jeremiah was faithful to his God and now God shows himself faithful to the promise made to Jeremiah. Ebed-melech's blessing also testifies that God never forgets our good deeds (verse 18 and 19). Be comforted my friend and do not ever be weary of well-doing.

Prayer for today: Adapted from Isaiah 62: Dear Lord, though the peace of Jerusalem had been disturbed, we will not cease to pray for her and cry out to you on her behalf until she shines forth in righteousness. Along with other intercessors we will cry all day and night for the fulfillment of your promises to restore Jerusalem to her glory and make her admired and respected throughout the whole earth. This is our prayer in the Name of the One who is coming to reign in the Millennium Kingdom. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.