“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” Jeremiah 46:27-28
Day 215 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Jeremiah. This morning, building on yesterday's post, my commentary* discusses how, Egypt seeks to overtake Babylonia (and Philistia), but will be defeated (Jeremiah 46:1-11) and subdued by Egypt (Jeremiah 46:12-26).
Addressing those who have remained faithful AND those who have not, God offers "reassurance to Judah". As I have posted previously, God disciplines those He loves (see also
God punishes those whom He loves). While trials and difficult circumstances may not be the result of our individual or personal sin, since the Fall (Genesis 3) God tells both Adam and Eve that because of THEIR sin, life for them and their descendants (all of us) will be difficult (see also John 16:33).
*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
We must remember that we exist to glorify God, and this only occurs when we make less of ourselves and more of Him. We must stand down and allow Him to be greater. Paul captures this in 2 Corinthians:
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has refined me through challenges and trials and I know through it all You never stop loving me and You never leave or forsake me. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love. I sin...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
