Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 15, 2023
Jeremiah 16:10-21
10 When you proclaim all these things to the people, and they ask you, “Why has the LORD pronounced such massive devastation against us? What have we done wrong? How have we sinned against the LORD our God?” 11 then you should tell them: It’s because your ancestors have deserted me and followed other gods, declares the LORD. They have served and worshipped them, while abandoning me and refusing to keep my Instruction. 12 And you, you have acted worse than your ancestors, each of you following your own willful, evil hearts and paying no attention to me. 13 So I will banish you from this land to a place that neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no mercy. 14 But the time is coming, declares the LORD, when no one will say, “As the LORD lives who brought up the Israelites from the land of Egypt”; 15 instead, they will say, “As the LORD lives who brought up the Israelites from the land of the north and from all the lands where he has banished them.” I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors. 16 I’m going to send hordes of fishermen to catch them, declares the LORD. Afterward I will send a party of hunters to hunt them down on every mountain, hill, and cave. 17 I am watching their every move; not one is hidden from me. Nor is their sin concealed from my sight. 18 I will initially pay them back double for their evil and sin, because they have corrupted my land with their disgusting, lifeless idols and have filled my inheritance with their detestable practices. 19 LORD, you are my strength and my stronghold; you are my refuge in time of trouble. The nations will flock to you from the ends of the earth, and they will say: “Our ancestors have inherited utter lies, things that are hollow and useless.” 20 Can humans make their own gods? If so, they are not gods at all! 21 Therefore, I will teach them; this time I will teach them my power and my might. They will understand that I am the LORD.
Good Morning. The time of Christ’s arrival draws near!
19 LORD, you are my strength and my stronghold; you are my refuge in time of trouble.
In the midst of our struggles lies God, waiting for us to return. We, God’s children, really make a mess of things. The first nine verses of this passage are just one example of our disobedience. We can easily read these stories and say, “Oh my, why would God’s children act this way?” Yet today, we deny our God by refusing to follow God’s instructions, turning our back on God, and working to gather earthly treasures.
When we reach the depths of our struggles, we cry out and ask for forgiveness. How do we find our way when we are lost? God’s plan is revealed to us in the Bible. Wherever we have strayed, God will meet us when we ask. Christ seeks us among the lost and the broken. Like the one sheep who goes astray, Christ will leave the 99 to find the one who is lost so that all will know that the Kingdom of God is accessible to all, even those who were sinners or strayed from God's path.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. May we find our way back to You during this time of joy. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God will meet me there when I turn to scripture.
God is waiting to save us! Pastor Liz
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