The Answer to Some Questions

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 14

Scripture Focus: “O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?  Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save?  Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.” (Jeremiah 14.8-9)

Devotional Thought: I love the description of God in Jeremiah 14.8: "O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble!"  Too often, however, we settle for God being something far less.  Jeremiah was compelled to ask some very pointed questions when Israel settled for a god who was something far less:

·       Why should God be like a stranger in the land?  Have you ever had the experience of going back to a neighborhood where you once lived or a job where you had once worked?  If you've been gone any length of time, the people who live or work there now probably haven't even heard of you!  God was like that to his people.  He had never left, but they had forgotten all about him!

·       Why should God be like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?  Since refocusing our ministry, Lana and I have done a lot more travelling.  We have certain places we like to go.  I can think of one motel in Ripley, WV where we have stayed many times on our way to/from Michigan.  I feel like they ought to recognize me, but do they?  Nope!  To the people of Jerusalem, God was like that.

·       Why should God be like a man confused or a mighty warrior who cannot save?  Have you had the experience of asking somebody for directions only to realize they knew less about the situation than you did?  How do you politely back away?  God certainly knew more than the people about their present dilemma and their future battles.

The answer to these questions?  "He shouldn't!  He's in the midst of us.  We are called by his name.  And, he has promised to never leave us or forsake us."

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you have made your dwelling with me.  Forgive me when I turn to other solutions before I turn to you.  Help me to trust in you always.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 107.23-32

23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;

24 they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.

25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;

27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.