Jeremiah – Chapter 22

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3 – What we see in our chapter today is the Lord speaking to the King of Judah. After King Josiah, who was a good king, we have four more kings of Judah before the destruction of Babylon came and these kings were not good kings. They abused their people and were only about their selfish gain of glory. Here the Lord directs these kings to change their ways. Instead of fostering injustice, they were to do what is just and right. Instead of taking advantage of the helpless, the king was to be the one standing up for the helpless. These were be the markers of a king after God’s heart. We too as followers of Jesus have markers in our life that display we truly follow Jesus. For “Follower of Jesus” ought to not just be something we declare with our mouth but have no true evidence of that displayed in our life. We should be the ones doing what is just and right. We should be the ones seeking rescue for those being oppressed by the enemy. Never should our hands be the ones causing harm to the helpless, but our hands should be the ones lifting them up. Scripture outlines well the life of a believer in Jesus and it’s a selfless life willing to sacrifice for those around them…a life that imitates the life of Jesus. What then would be the message the Lord would speak to you concerning your life? Would it be a message like He is giving the king here, a reminder of what you ought to be doing for you aren’t doing such things? Or would the message be well done good and faithful servant for you have followed my words. Let your life display your devotion to Jesus, beyond just the words you say. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3252

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the Lord. Jeremiah 22:16 – Was not this obeying of God’s commands their pursuit to know God better? That’s the question being asked. We have an account of someone following God faithfully and showing love and mercy like they were supposed to. We see also the reason behind why they obeyed like this and it was to gain a better knowledge of this God they had chosen to follow. In this passage is a truth we better grab a hold of. Only those who obey God truly know Him. Those who know God and the type of God He is and all He’s done for them, they’ll live out a life of obedience. Obedience is not only then a key part of our life with God it’s a way to gain a better knowledge of who He is. So how can you obey God’s mission for you today so you can get to know Him better? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 941

Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. Jeremiah 22:15 – The Lord is speaking into the life of the current king of Judah who his actively building a grand house for himself. God checks him and asks if he truly thinks by building such a house that it will grant him a long reign as king. God reminds the king that his father before him reigned well and was blessed, but what established his reign wasn’t buildings or wealth but it was the fact he carried out what God had directed him to carry out as king. It’s tempting for us in our story to believe what will grant us long term contentment and happiness is a building up of our own wealth. That we can ensure our families protection and future by the more that we have. Yet God in His word reminds us that it’s not in wealth that we find our contentment or protection or assurance of a blessed future, but its only through Him and following Him that these things are found. Chasing after more of this world will not offer you what you truly need. Life, joy, rest, peace, worth, and purpose are only found in one place. In Jesus. If then you are deciding what your life should be chasing after, then choose Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2154