Daily Devotional

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

Scripture Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You;
Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?

Observation: This is a question that has been asked so many times. Would you rather suffer for a little while and have the best for all eternity. So why do the wicked prosper? Jesus called Satan the prince of this world. He is allowed to roam this earth to see who he can devour. What better way to turn good people to evil then to show how the wicked prosper and tempt us to be wicked for our own personal gain.

Application: My time is running short and I’ve run most of my race, but looking back there is nothing in this world that I would want more than my Lord who has given me eternal life through His sacrifice. My only regret is that I didn’t find Him sooner and do more to please Him. I’m still running this race so I need to keep going and do the best I can before crossing that finish line.

Prayer Dear Lord thank you for all that you have blessed me with. I thank you for making me, me and I pray that I finish this race being the best me I can be.

The Calamity of the Lord

Scripture Jeremiah 11:11 Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.

Observation: We have got to be to that point where God is going to bring calamity to this world. We have not obeyed and blasphemed the name of the Lord. It’s going to be too late when He brings His judgement, we can cry out but He will not listen any longer. We have taken His blessings and refused to appreciate all that He has done for us.

Application: Ask God for guidance on what He desires of me. How I can reach those that are lost. There is too much damage done against God I can’t see how He can forgive all that evil we have done. Satan has done his job well and we will pay the price for disobedience.

Prayer Dear Lord you have been so gracious and we don’t deserve your love or patience any longer. Help your children reach has many as we can with your word and love before it’s too late.

My Everlasting King

Scripture Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.

Observation: Sometimes we forget our God is a living God and knows and sees all. There is nothing that will take Him by surprise, He sees the terrible things that have been done. His wrath is coming and I believe soon and all the ones that have done evil will be in despair as they discover their place for all eternity will be Hell.

Application: I know our jobs as Christians is to preach the word of God to help those see the light and turn from their evil ways to God. It’s up to the people on what choice they make. The Holy Spirit will touch some of their hearts and others will refuse the gift of Jesus. Even though I want to step back and allow the evil to perish, that is not what my Lord calls me to do. I need to step out of my comfort zone and by faith proclaim my everlasting King.

Prayer My Lord my heart is full of hate for those that do evil and being used by the enemy. I’m your servant please command me on what it is You desire, for You are my King and rule this life.

Glory in the Lord

Scripture Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

Observation: I’m so focused on all of the terrible things going on that I forget there is still a place of love and peace in the arms of my Lord. That my energy should be invested in glorifying God and getting to know Him better every day. He is the God of love, mercy, judgement and righteousness and when I make the decision to trust Him instead of the things in this world it delights Him. This is a time to draw closer to Him more than any other time, because He knows what is going on and to trust Him through this is to love Him.

Application: I need to stay away from things that distract me and put my focus on knowing God better each day. I need to stand on Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.:

Prayer Dear God, may You delight in Your servant today as I trust You with this life You have created. May the day not pass without me putting a smile on Your face. I love You Lord draw me close.

We Need to Repent

Scripture Jeremiah 8:6 I listened and heard,
But they do not speak aright.
No man repented of his wickedness,
Saying, ‘What have I done?’
Everyone turned to his own course,
As the horse rushes into the battle.

Observation: people don’t see the wrong they have done, because they don’t want to. No one wants to be held accountable for their actions so instead of repenting they try to justify the wrong they do. Since they don’t repent or admit their mistakes they continue in their sins.

Application: I need to stop making excuses for my sins and repent. Repent means to turn away from our sins and turn towards God to be focused on Him and His desires. I’m so focused on all the trouble that is happening and my heart gets filled with anger and hate and I want to express my own opinions and fuel the fire. I need to repent and fill my heart with God’s love and not my own sinful ways.

Prayer Dear Lord I’m having a difficult time staying focused on what You desire of this life. I’m so easily distracted by the evil around me that I get pulled in and fuel the fire. Lord help me turn from this evil and draw closer to You.

Obey God’s Voice

Scripture Jeremiah 7:23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’

Observation: All we need to do is obey our God. He deserves our love and obedience and He should be the most important thing in my life, but every day it seems He takes a back seat of what I’m doing that day. I’m so self-absorbed that my mind wanders from my focus on God. He asks so little of me He just wants me to obey His commandment which are for my own good.

Application: God knows how weak I am and gives me the Holy Spirit so I’ll stay on track, but I still have the choice to listen. How I wish I didn’t have that choice but was just forced to obey, but that’s not love. I need to put God first in everything that I’m doing, He deserves at least that. When I chose to do something, I need to make sure it’s in line with God’s commandment and that I’m obedient in His calling for my life.

Prayer Dear Lord you know your servant more than he knows himself. You know I’m doubleminded and my attention span is short. I can’t do this without You and I need the Holy Spirit each day to get me through so that I will be obedient. You deserve the best I am and so much more.

We Are Grieving God

Scripture Jeremiah 6:77 As a fountain wells up with water,
So she wells up with her wickedness.
Violence and plundering are heard in her.
Before Me continually are grief and wounds.

Observation: Sure, sounds like America today. The violence is overwhelming and the rioters and rich are plundering all they can. The word of God seems to be silent in the midst of this chaos, which must also grief the heart of God. I’m not sure how long God will withhold His judgement. I can’t believe that in the days of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah it could have been any worse.

Application: Judgement day is coming. No one knows when but all I have to do is look around me and Satan is having a ball. It’s time to be ready and do God’s will so we will be busy when He comes. I need to do whatever it is God calls me to do each day. I need to half a broken heart for those that don’t know Him and not be content that I have eternal life by the sacrifice of my Savior.

Prayer My Lord your servant is lazy please give me strength and a heart for the lost. Use me to proclaim the gospel no matter what the cost to me. You are worthy of all my love, all my obedience and all of my praise.