October 27

Jeremiah 51:1-53, Titus 2:1-15, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 26:17 

Pray: “We should live in this evil world…while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day…” It’s a depiction of the human condition, specifically the Christian condition (if I may coin a title to such a thing). The Christian condition is one where followers of Jesus stop complaining about the world in which we live, but rather live holy, forward-looking, hope-filled lives. Perhaps if we did more of that kind of living, the world might just be a different place. In your prayer time, ask the Lord to change your perspective to a forward-looking one.

Read: We like new things. We’re always looking for the latest gadget, invention, car/truck, and even teaching. We try to find new models for parenting (just look how that’s turning out!). What we find in Paul’s writing to Timothy is just the opposite. Paul urges Timothy to have the previous generation mentor/disciple/teach/help the younger generation. Who can you invest in? There may be a younger married couple that needs your advice. There may be a young man who is about to mess up his life, career, and family unless you befriend and mentor him through a rough season. There is possibly a young woman who is considering a costly mistake unless you free up some time to take her to coffee and begin a relationship with her. Don’t wait, the time is now. The right person is you.

Edify: It’s buried, but it’s still there. It’s a word of encouragement filled with tremendous hope. “The Lord…has not abandoned Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against [Him].” To be absolutely sure, there were consequences, some devastating, for Israel’s sin and rebellion. Yet, amidst the consequences, the Lord was still their God. He’s still your God. He’s not abandoned you. That’s really good news!

Practice: “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” This quote, often attributed to President Lincoln comes to my mind when I read Jeremiah 51:36. It reads, “I will be your lawyer to plead your case, and I will avenge you.” Jeremiah speaks here on behalf of God, of course. So, the Lord is going to speak on our behalf. If left to my own devices, I can typically rationalize any behavior or sin…talk about having a fool for a client! With God pleading my case, however, it gives me great pause when I consider my actions and even my thoughts. He’s my advocate and He’s your advocate. Does that change things for you? I know it does for me.