Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Peace Through Adversity

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 27-29
Message Title: Peace Through Adversity

Hello My Friend,

So many people want to blame God for all the evil that is taking place all over the world, but it's not God, it's not even Satan, it's people, rebellious people, working the works of their own hands, causing their own hurt. Sadly, we who do follow God often get caught up in the crossfire, but even then He provides an escape. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

God's escape route for Judah was that he sent them to live as captives in Babylon for seventy years, He warns other nations not to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, whom would be under their authority for seventy years also. “And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.” - Jeremiah 27:8-11.

God commanded Judah and all nations to live under the authority of Babylon, if they tried to rebel they would suffer the same fate as Judah. While it seemed as though they were losing their freedom becoming servants, God was actually saving their lives. The same reigns true for those who yoke themselves with Christ, while it may seem that we are losing our freedom under the authority of Christ, He is actually saving our lives. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:13-16.

The news of Judah having to live under the command of Nebuchadnezzar did not go very well, it did not take long for some people to cause trouble. A man named Hananiah decided to challenge God by saying that he would brake the yoke himself within two years. And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.” - Jeremiah 28:1-3,15-17.

Some people will never learn that they cannot fight God nor play God, rebellion does nothing, but get innocent people hurt and death upon themselves. Look at the fate of the devil for his causing all of mankind to fall, which is the fate of every person that tries to fight or play God. We are going to face adversity simply because we have this sin nature we carry around with us. The only way we can change our own fate is by knowing Jesus Christ personally as our Saviour and remaining yoked with Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30.

Now, Jerusalem was under siege and many of the Jews are being taken away from their homes, and carried into Babylon where they will remain there in captivity for seventy years. God instructed Jeremiah to send a letter to them. For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” - Jeremiah 29:10-14.

God wanted them to know that even though He sent them away from home He was still with them. And what the Jews imagined as seventy years of slavery was promised as seventy years of peace, even though they were in captivity. God is always with us, especially through adversity, in fact, He allows adversity to show us that He never leaves nor forsakes us, even if we are the cause of it. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.” - Psalms 94:12-15.

Today's Prayer: God, I know I am not perfect, I know I am going to make lots of mistakes, even when following You. Lord, give me Your power to follow You faithfully and let me not be tempted to turn to the right or left, but keep my eyes on You. Help me heed and listen for the warnings as I serve You, knowing that no matter where You take me, it will lead me to where You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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