There He Shall Remain Until I...

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 32

Scripture Focus: And he shall take Zedekiah to Babylon, and there he shall remain until I visit him, declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 32.5)

Devotional Thought: Leaders don’t like to be told their faults, do they?  Simply disagreeing with people in power can land you in a lot of trouble!  Jeremiah found himself in jail because King Zedekiah did not appreciate what the prophet was saying: that King Zedekiah would be captured and taken to Babylon because of his sin.

In America, however, we have the privilege of disagreeing with our elected leaders – even to the point of voting for their replacements!  Thank God for our freedom.  Whoever wins the election, there will be people who will wish that, like Zedekiah, the new president would be taken away to Babylon!  But, one thing is certain: Whoever is president of the United States, God is still on the throne of the universe!

Zedekiah was taken into captivity – voted out of office by God! – because of his disobedience and unfaithfulness.  He not only suffered himself, he also caused the people he led to suffer.  He ‘deserved’ what he got.  But, captivity was not the last word for Zedekiah.  Even in exile, there is grace: “There he shall remain until I visit him, declares the LORD.”  Captivity doesn’t need to be the last word for us, either!  As a matter of fact, in this same chapter we read about how Jeremiah, confident of better days ahead, purchased a field.  This action of the prophet was symbolic that God was going to restore commerce and a measure of economic stability in Jerusalem.

No matter what happens in the upcoming election, captivity is not the final word for the children of God.  Rejoice for: “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (v. 17). 

Prayer: Lord, you have told us to seek the welfare of our nation.  First and foremost, that means to pray for our land.  We believe that our prayers - and our votes and behavior! - will make a difference.  In this season of national unrest, we rest in your great power and outstretched arm.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.33-40

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.

39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!