Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
The destruction is now recounted: God has acted like Judah's enemy rather than her friend. He has destroyed her great buildings, brought down her strongholds and sanctuary, and laid low her kings, prophets, priests and elders. The point is that all the people might have relied on for security has gone. And the poverty that remains is of such seriousness that Jeremiah weeps to see children crying out to their mothers for food and drink, whilst mothers engage in cannibalism! We might struggle in reading such an account as our daily Bible reading. But not every word from God is to lift us up. The fact is that the only note of joy in the passage is that of Judah's enemies, delighting to see her downfall. No, this is a lament because it processes grief. And so, it's encouragement is for us to lament too, over the brokeness of Christ upon whom God's wrath was ultimately dispensed. Yet over the decline of our own culture too, in its rejection of him. And this is important, for in refusing to think about the moral mess that surrounds us, we forget the reasons for it or to pray for rescue from it. But when we lament, our eyes are turned again to the Lord (as we shall see tomorrow) - in whose hands the fate of every nation and culture remains. As you read note the devastation.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.