- Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? Jeremiah 12:1 – The prophet is asking a question that’s likely not unfamiliar to questions you’ve had. Why does it seem like those who are clearly in sin seemingly finding success, pleasure, and a thriving life? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Shouldn’t it be those in sin are suffering yet those behaving faithfully are finding pleasures galore in life. Yet, often it seems the opposite is the case. We of course agree with what Jeremiah said about God being righteous, meaning He’s not making any mistakes, but when the wicked prosper in this life and the faithful struggle, it just doesn’t always make sense. Let us remember though the reality of their life. For those who don’t choose to follow Jesus, this life is the closest to Heaven they will ever experience. Yet for those who do follow Jesus, this life is the closest to Hell we’ll ever experience. Our future is Heaven with blessings forevermore, yet the unbeliever’s future is torment and pain. Yes, in this world it will seem like everything is upside down and the wicked are prospering greatly. But be willing to zoom out on the grander scale of time. While they may prosper for a good 100 plus years if they live that long, 100 years is just a blip on the scale of eternity. Never believe followers of Jesus are getting the bad end of the deal. While we may find suffering in this life, this life isn’t all there is and we have glory awaiting us on the other side. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3241
- If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5 – Jeremiah is faced with a difficult realization. God is revealing to him even harder struggles are coming his way. God asked if you’ve worn yourself out with the small struggles your facing now how will you handle the tougher ones that are coming? We need to realize that our life too has tough struggles ahead. How will you deal with them? Do you crumble when small ones arise? How then will you manage when the life-changing sized ones come up? Learn to lean on God for strength in the daily, small struggles. Not only will this give you what you need to handle what’s in front of you but will train you on where to go when the bigger struggles come up. Whether small or large, we get through life’s struggles by leaning and relying of God. Don’t let yourself run on empty when God is right here available to you to find help from. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 931
- Thus says the Lord concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: “Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people.” Jeremiah 12:14-16 – What we find here is a future blessing not seen as often in the Old Testament, the blessing of the world being able to find peace with God. We see over and over Israel, God’s chosen people, given the opportunity to return and find peace and promise. Here though the bigger desire of God is shown that any nation who would turn to follow His ways a declare Him Lord can find blessing in Him. If in this day a promise was given that if these evil nations would let go of their sinful ways and turn to follow the Lord they could, then what right do we have to stand in the way of those we consider “evil” today from hearing the message of Jesus and having the opportunity to follow the Lord? Scripture is clear, any and all who confess Jesus as Lord will be saved. Even those whose backstory is as dark as can be. Has there then been a way you have spoken about or spoken to someone that could possibly cause them to not desire Jesus? Be aware your judgmental, condemning comments, even said in secret, can be the very words that people use as their reason for not choosing to follow Jesus. God is open to all coming to Him, we should be to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2144
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