After Jesus healed the paralytic Luke noted that, “Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” (5:26). I am impacted that way when I consider the way God worked through His prophets and some of the tasks and miracles that were performed.  The section this week focuses on visions, prophecies and interpretations, and not just seeing the display of the visions but the fulfillment of the visions.

1 Chronicles 8:29-9:1a; Ezekiel 40:1-37; Daniel 4.  “Sincere God Sightings”

         ‘Nezzar had a dream that terrified him.  None of his “professionals” could interpret it for him.  Then Daniel showed up.  Daniel knew he could interpret the dream that no one else could.  Was he proud?  No.  In fact, Daniel’s reaction to the dream was that he was greatly astonished and perplexed for quite awhile and his thoughts terrified him (4:19).  Although this was the ruler responsible for the captivity and destruction of his people Daniel had genuine compassion for him.  Daniel had obviously forgiven the king and was now deeply concerned about his physical and spiritual welfare.
         What did Daniel believe about the validity of the dream’s interpretation?  Did Daniel doubt the truthfulness of the interpretation?  He was “terrified” because he knew its fulfillment was coming.  The visions these prophets experienced were very real.  They knew fulfillment was a guarantee which made it all the more powerful.  Daniel describes his reaction during one vision; “My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.  When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground” (10:8).

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Download the PDF version below.

2 Kings 25:27-30; 1 Chronicles 3:17-24; 8:29-9:1a; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4:5; Jeremiah 52:31-34; Ezekiel 29:17-30:19; 40-48; Daniel 4-9;

          After Jesus healed the paralytic Luke noted that, “Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” (5:26).  I am impacted that way when I consider the way God worked through His prophets and some of the tasks and miracles that were performed.  The section this week focuses on visions, prophecies and interpretations, and not just seeing the display of the visions but the fulfillment of the visions.

September 3rd

1 Chronicles 8:29-9:1a; Ezekiel 40:1-37; Daniel 4.  “Sincere God Sightings”

         ‘Nezzar had a dream that terrified him.  None of his “professionals” could interpret it for him.  Then Daniel showed up.  Daniel knew he could interpret the dream that no one else could.  Was he proud?  No.  In fact, Daniel’s reaction to the dream was that he was greatly astonished and perplexed for quite awhile and his thoughts terrified him (4:19).  Although this was the ruler responsible for the captivity and destruction of his people Daniel had genuine compassion for him.  Daniel had obviously forgiven the king and was now deeply concerned about his physical and spiritual welfare.

         What did Daniel believe about the validity of the dream’s interpretation?  Did Daniel doubt the truthfulness of the interpretation?  He was “terrified” because he knew its fulfillment was coming.  The visions these prophets experienced were very real.  They knew fulfillment was a guarantee which made it all the more powerful.  Daniel describes his reaction during one vision; “My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.  When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground” (10:8).

September 4th

Ezekiel 40:38-43:27.  “Always Fulfilled”

         The visions God provided for His prophets varied in some degree as to their figurative or literal fulfillments, but their fulfillment itself was never in question.  Ezekiel had a vision of the Temple that contained incredible detail.  The only question that arises has to do with the time of its complete fulfillment.  Was it the Temple Zerubbabel should have built or a Temple to be built during the millennial reign of Christ?  However, there is also a symbolic possibility referring to the worship and reign of God (described as perfect honor and absolute holiness—43:9-12).

         How much faith do you have in the fulfillment of future events?  In hindsight we can observe the perfect fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, but to look ahead can we believe every other prophecy will be perfectly fulfilled?  Prayerfully you answer a resounding Yes.  Rom. 15:4, “the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”  Rev. 10:7, “God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled.”  Rev. 17:17, “the words of God will be fulfilled.”

September 5th

Ezekiel 44-46.  “Dirty Faces”

         Ezekiel’s vision reminds him of who is to be allowed in the Temple and how they must treat the privilege.  Ezekiel was being reminded of the seriousness of entering into God’s Temple.  He was made aware of the rules of admission, conduct and dress.

         I appreciate reading Ezekiel’s response to seeing God’s glory fill the Temple.  It says he fell to the ground with his face in the dirt (44:4).  Ezekiel knew the magnitude of what he witnessed, even in a vision.  He also knew the significance of God laying down the rules.  God did not want His people to forget who was allowed in His Temple and how they were to handle entering into His presence.  Those who were allowed into God’s presence were only those who had been circumcised in heart and flesh, in other words, only those who had entirely committed their life to Him (44:9).  The Apostle Paul tells us that as believers our bodies are the Temple of God where His Spirit lives (1 Cor. 3 & 6).  Have you come to take that for granted or does the thought of that make you fall to the ground with your face in the dirt?

September 6th

2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34; Ezekiel 29:17-30:19; 47:1-48:35.  “Fishing the Dead Sea”

         With the exception of a rare torrential rain, the Mojave River is always dry.  Seeing a fisherman reel in a fish on the bank of that river would be just as amazing as seeing one caught on the Dead Sea.  The Dead Sea, 1,300 feet below sea level has many salt pillars at its south end.  The Sea is 5-6 times saltier than our ocean, nearly 30% salt.  In other words, if you let a cup of water evaporate, eventually almost 1/3 of it would still be full of just salty mineral.  It’s a fun body of water to float in.  You start floating straight up and down before you get to your waist.  The downside is that for health reasons you can’t stay in it longer than about 15 minutes.  Needless to say, there are no fish in it.  So, to hear that one day fishermen will stand along its bank catching fish (47:10), well, that describes a miraculous transformation.

         Is God in the business of miraculous transformations?  Yes, and every one of us are examples of it.

September 7th

Daniel 5, 7-8.  “Oh, To Be a Prophet”

         King Belshazzar offered to reward Daniel greatly with purple robes of honor, gold chains and a promotion to the third highest in the kingdom just for interpreting the writing on the wall (5:16).  Daniel’s reputation preceded him.  People knew he could do it.  He could have opened a little shop called “Divine Daniel’s” and have made quite the living interpreting people’s dreams.  Instead we read that Daniel told the king to “Keep your gifts.”

         Daniel was God’s instrument to the people of his day.  God gave Daniel visions explaining the future.  Before you conclude, “Oh, that sounds great being a prophet!” let me remind you of some of Daniel’s feelings from his visions in chapters seven and eight: “I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me” (7:15).  “I was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear” (7:28).  “I became so terrified that I fell to the ground” (8:17).  “Then I was overcome and lay sick for several days… I was greatly troubled by the vision” (8:27).  Take God’s words and work seriously.

September 8th

1 Chronicles 3:17-19a; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1; Daniel 6, 9.  “Praying Powerfully”

         People who knew Daniel knew that he was a man who prayed fervently.  He prayed three times each day and regularly gave thanks to God.  We are not let in on the details of what exactly he prayed for and about each time, that is with the exception of one instance in chapter nine.

         The situation on Daniel’s mind in chapter nine was the soon conclusion of the Israelites 70-year captivity.  Because of the prophetic words recorded by the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel knew his people would soon be returning home.  And what did it prompt Daniel to do?  “I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and fasting.  I wore sackcloth and sprinkled myself with ashes.  I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed…”  Within the next five paragraphs I counted over two dozen times Daniel uses the word “we,” “us” or “our.”  Daniel identified himself as part of an entire nation who needed to confess their sins to God.  Daniel looked inside first.  Daniel’s plea was answered (see 9:20-23).  How committed are you to pray, and how well do you do at it?

September 9th

1 Chronicles 3:19b-24; Ezra 2:1-4:5.  “How Big is Our God?”

         It’s fascinating to review the fulfillment of a prophecy.  Isaiah (chs. 44,45,48) prophesied that God would use a man named Cyrus to guarantee the return of Israel’s remnant and that Jerusalem and the Temple would be rebuilt.  That was 150 years before Cyrus was even born!  Now in 538 BC Cyrus releases the captives.  What an exciting day it had to be as 50,000 Israelites headed home.  That would be a wonderful event to remember and celebrate.

         The Israelites celebrated the Festival of Shelters shortly after they settled in.  What kind of things do we celebrate?  Do we celebrate fulfillments to prophecy?  We celebrate the birth and the resurrection of Christ, definite fulfillments to prophecy.  

            Part of celebrating God making good on a promise is the wonder of the fulfillment.  How big does God have to be to make a vision or prophecy come true?  How powerful does He have to be to make things come to pass in His specific timing?  How compassionate does He have to be to care about bringing things to pass for our good?  Are you gripped in wonder and awe of God.

Bible Discussion Guide:
The dictionary describes most visions as “imaginary.”  What is the difference between the visions of God’s prophets and a vision John Doe may have in the middle of the night after eating too much?
Numbers 12:6-7, “And the LORD said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the LORD, would reveal myself in visions.  I would speak to them in dreams.  But that is not how I communicate with my servant Moses.”  Why did God speak to the prophets in visions?
Ezekiel’s vision of the Temple (chs. 40ff) could be interpreted as symbolic or literal.  Regardless of which it is it seems clear that this is a vision of God’s final perfect Kingdom.  How would this give hope to the Israelites?  How does it provide hope for us?
What kind of credibility should we give to our evening dreams?
Do you fully believe God’s promises and prophecies will continue to be fulfilled?  What could prevent you from believing they will be?
How do you handle being in the presence of God?  Have you come to take for granted God’s presence in your body/temple?
As you consider September 7th’s devotional, what are the ups and the downs of being a prophet of God?
The September 8 devotional focused on prayer.  How committed are you to pray, and how well do you do at it?
Personal application:  How do you celebrate God’s greatness?

1 Chronicles 5:18; 6:3b-15, 49; 7:1 – 8:28. “News of Record”

         In our town, the paper has a section called News of Record, which reports every 911 incident and arrests or violations of the law.  When appropriate, the names of those involved are listed in the paper.  You would think that, because people in this town know they will face public humiliation for breaking the law, even traffic laws, there wouldn’t be much to print; however, the section never seems to shrink.
         So, the thought occurred to me that merely knowing about the consequences of our actions is not sufficient to prevent us from engaging in destructive or sinful behavior.  While it is true that knowledge of the consequences can be a strong deterrent, many of us will choose to sin in spite of those consequences.
         God’s people diligently studied the Scriptures and knew about the warnings in Deuteronomy regarding the consequences they would face for covenant unfaithfulness, but that didn’t stop them from abandoning the Lord. 
         May you recognize the consequences of your actions before you are forced to endure them.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:17; Psalm 137; Jeremiah 52:28-30; Ezekiel 32:17-33:20.  “Failed Watchmen”

         Before the invention of modern fire suppression systems, it was required for a hotel of significant size to employ a watchman during the night hours to alert guests in the case of fire.  One such hotel in Omaha, Nebraska had a fire on January 23, 1911, and the watchmen failed to notify the guests of the fire.  Therefore, a guest who was forced to use a rope fire escape sued the hotel because of injuries resulting from his escape.  The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where the court upheld the decision to hold the hotel responsible for its negligence in alerting the guests to the fire.
         Ezekiel was given a similar charge by God, a responsibility to warn people of God’s judgment.  It is important to note that Ezekiel wasn’t responsible for the peoples’ response to his warning; he was merely responsible, as the watchmen, for sounding the warning itself.
         The same is true for our sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are not responsible for the consequences one faces for rejecting the gospel, but we are responsible for delivering the message.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Ezekiel 32:1-16; 37:1-39:29.  “Taking the Good with the Bad”

         In the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, the lead character George Bailey, played by James Stewart, makes the statement that he wished he had never been born.  Those of you who know the movie know that George was given a glimpse of what his family, friends and whole town would have been like if he had not been born.  Even though George Bailey hadn’t led a charmed life or accomplished all he had hoped for, he had made a difference in many lives.  He realized that life was in fact worth living and was given the opportunity to make things right.
         That movie strikes a chord with all of us because we all wonder at times if our life has amounted to anything, if it would change the world if we weren’t there. 
         As we think about consequences, we must recognize that they come in both good and bad varieties, that even the smallest action can be used by God to bring about a positive consequence in someone else’s life.  If you ever doubt the significance of your life, just think of George Bailey and the lesson he learned.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Ezekiel 34:1-36:38.  “Forgiveness”

         Forgiveness is a really curious thing.  All this week we have been thinking about consequences in life.  Now, forgiveness is like the exact opposite of consequences.  When we are forgiven, the one who forgives decides not to bring about potential consequences against us.  For example, some insurance companies offer what is called accident forgiveness.  It used to be a guarantee that your rates would go up if you were in an accident, but if you have accident forgiveness, you don’t have to face that consequence.
         While Israel did endure consequences and discipline from the Lord for their actions, they did eventually experience restoration.  The restoration was based on God’s sovereign decision to forgive and to bless His people on account of His covenant faithfulness. It wasn’t as if their consequences had changed because they had changed.
         In the same way, we can experience forgiveness for our sins because of Jesus’ atoning death on the cross.  Because of God’s sovereign decision to forgive and extend grace, we are freed from the guilt and consequences associated with our sin.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Jeremiah 42:1-44:30; Ezekiel 33:21-33.  “Seeking Wisdom”

         “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” – Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)
         Have you ever found yourself asking for advice and yet you have already concluded in your mind what you think should be done?  This is precisely the situation that the leaders of Israel were in.  When Jeremiah gave the answer from the Lord, they concluded that Jeremiah must be lying since it didn’t match what they thought the Lord would say.
         Seeking wisdom and counsel does absolutely no good if you don’t listen to it.  Routinely we are instructed in Proverbs to seek and listen to counsel.
         While none of us can know exactly what the future will hold, it seems that a principle in life is that you will suffer consequences if you ignore wise counsel.  It was true for Solomon’s son Rehoboam who lost control of 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel because he ignored wise counsel.  It was true for the remnant of Israel who ignored Jeremiah and suffered their fate in Egypt.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

2 Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 40:7-41:18; Lamentations 5:1-22; Obadiah.  “Compassionate Response”

         When hurricane Katrina leveled the gulf coast and nearly destroyed the entire city of New Orleans, I heard someone comment on how they felt the city was being judged because of the excessive sin it promotes.  Now, I do not pretend to know why God allowed that hurricane and the massive damage that resulted, but I do know that it is not our position to sit back and gloat or to pass judgment even if God is using the disaster to judge or discipline.
         This was precisely what Edom did to Israel when God’s judgment was carried out by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  Because Edom refused to act with compassion towards Israel, God communicated His judgment on them through Obadiah.
         So, even if someone is enduring consequences brought on by their own actions, our response is still to extend compassion and mercy.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

         The reality of the exile has set in, and life as the Israelites knew it is gone.  They are now living with the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience to the Lord’s covenant.  Thus, our theme for this week is consequences.  Whether we want to admit it or not, we all live with consequences.  As we will discover, some consequences are good and some are bad, and all of them are real.

Lamentations 2:1-4:22.  “Spoiled Children”

         “Why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?” – Lamentations 3:39

         A sign of maturity in the process of human cognitive and emotional development is the ability to accept consequences for our actions.  As a parent of young children, I am fully aware that this is an ability that children must learn as opposed to being born with it.
         In the reading today it seems as though the nation of Israel is still learning this lesson.  Like a spoiled child who has never been disciplined, Israel responded to the Lord with shock and dismay that He would pour out His anger on them.
         In the New Testament, Peter picks up on this theme in 1 Peter 2:20-21.  Peter says that you will be rewarded for suffering if you suffer for doing good.  However, if we suffer for doing wrong there is no reward.
         We all must deal with the consequences for our actions.  It doesn’t matter if we were right or wrong, every action will bring about some consequence. 

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Download the PDF version below.

2 Kings 25:22-26; 1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; 6:3b-15, 49; 7:1-8:28; Psalm 137; Jeremiah 40:7-44:30; 52:28-30; Lamentations 2:1-5:22; Ezekiel 32:1-39:29; Obadiah

         The reality of the exile has set in, and life as the Israelites knew it is gone.  They are now living with the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience to the Lord’s covenant.  Thus, our theme for this week is consequences.  Whether we want to admit it or not, we all live with consequences.  As we will discover, some consequences are good and some are bad, and all of them are real.

August 27th

Lamentations 2:1-4:22.  “Spoiled Children”

         “Why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?” – Lamentations 3:39

         A sign of maturity in the process of human cognitive and emotional development is the ability to accept consequences for our actions.  As a parent of young children, I am fully aware that this is an ability that children must learn as opposed to being born with it.

         In the reading today it seems as though the nation of Israel is still learning this lesson.  Like a spoiled child who has never been disciplined, Israel responded to the Lord with shock and dismay that He would pour out His anger on them.

         In the New Testament, Peter picks up on this theme in 1 Peter 2:20-21.  Peter says that you will be rewarded for suffering if you suffer for doing good.  However, if we suffer for doing wrong there is no reward.

         We all must deal with the consequences for our actions.  It doesn’t matter if we were right or wrong, every action will bring about some consequence.  

August 28th

2 Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 40:7-41:18; Lamentations 5:1-22; Obadiah.  “Compassionate Response”

         When hurricane Katrina leveled the gulf coast and nearly destroyed the entire city of New Orleans, I heard someone comment on how they felt the city was being judged because of the excessive sin it promotes.  Now, I do not pretend to know why God allowed that hurricane and the massive damage that resulted, but I do know that it is not our position to sit back and gloat or to pass judgment even if God is using the disaster to judge or discipline.

         This was precisely what Edom did to Israel when God’s judgment was carried out by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  Because Edom refused to act with compassion towards Israel, God communicated His judgment on them through Obadiah.

         So, even if someone is enduring consequences brought on by their own actions, our response is still to extend compassion and mercy.

August 29th

Jeremiah 42:1-44:30; Ezekiel 33:21-33.  “Seeking Wisdom”

         “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” – Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)

         Have you ever found yourself asking for advice and yet you have already concluded in your mind what you think should be done?  This is precisely the situation that the leaders of Israel were in.  When Jeremiah gave the answer from the Lord, they concluded that Jeremiah must be lying since it didn’t match what they thought the Lord would say.

         Seeking wisdom and counsel does absolutely no good if you don’t listen to it.  Routinely we are instructed in Proverbs to seek and listen to counsel.

         While none of us can know exactly what the future will hold, it seems that a principle in life is that you will suffer consequences if you ignore wise counsel.  It was true for Solomon’s son Rehoboam who lost control of 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel because he ignored wise counsel.  It was true for the remnant of Israel who ignored Jeremiah and suffered their fate in Egypt.

August 30th

Ezekiel 34:1-36:38.  “Forgiveness”

         Forgiveness is a really curious thing.  All this week we have been thinking about consequences in life.  Now, forgiveness is like the exact opposite of consequences.  When we are forgiven, the one who forgives decides not to bring about potential consequences against us.  For example, some insurance companies offer what is called accident forgiveness.  It used to be a guarantee that your rates would go up if you were in an accident, but if you have accident forgiveness, you don’t have to face that consequence.

         While Israel did endure consequences and discipline from the Lord for their actions, they did eventually experience restoration.  The restoration was based on God’s sovereign decision to forgive and to bless His people on account of His covenant faithfulness. It wasn’t as if their consequences had changed because they had changed.

         In the same way, we can experience forgiveness for our sins because of Jesus’ atoning death on the cross.  Because of God’s sovereign decision to forgive and extend grace, we are freed from the guilt and consequences associated with our sin.

August 31st

Ezekiel 32:1-16; 37:1-39:29.  “Taking the Good with the Bad”

         In the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, the lead character George Bailey, played by James Stewart, makes the statement that he wished he had never been born.  Those of you who know the movie know that George was given a glimpse of what his family, friends and whole town would have been like if he had not been born.  Even though George Bailey hadn’t led a charmed life or accomplished all he had hoped for, he had made a difference in many lives.  He realized that life was in fact worth living and was given the opportunity to make things right.

         That movie strikes a chord with all of us because we all wonder at times if our life has amounted to anything, if it would change the world if we weren’t there.  

         As we think about consequences, we must recognize that they come in both good and bad varieties, that even the smallest action can be used by God to bring about a positive consequence in someone else’s life.  If you ever doubt the significance of your life, just think of George Bailey and the lesson he learned.

September 1st

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:17; Psalm 137; Jeremiah 52:28-30; Ezekiel 32:17-33:20.  “Failed Watchmen”

         Before the invention of modern fire suppression systems, it was required for a hotel of significant size to employ a watchman during the night hours to alert guests in the case of fire.  One such hotel in Omaha, Nebraska had a fire on January 23, 1911, and the watchmen failed to notify the guests of the fire.  Therefore, a guest who was forced to use a rope fire escape sued the hotel because of injuries resulting from his escape.  The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where the court upheld the decision to hold the hotel responsible for its negligence in alerting the guests to the fire.  

         Ezekiel was given a similar charge by God, a responsibility to warn people of God’s judgment.  It is important to note that Ezekiel wasn’t responsible for the peoples’ response to his warning; he was merely responsible, as the watchmen, for sounding the warning itself.

         The same is true for our sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are not responsible for the consequences one faces for rejecting the gospel, but we are responsible for delivering the message.

September 2nd

1 Chronicles 5:18; 6:3b-15, 49; 7:1 – 8:28.  “News of Record”

         In our town, the paper has a section called News of Record, which reports every 911 incident and arrests or violations of the law.  When appropriate, the names of those involved are listed in the paper.  You would think that, because people in this town know they will face public humiliation for breaking the law, even traffic laws, there wouldn’t be much to print; however, the section never seems to shrink.

         So, the thought occurred to me that merely knowing about the consequences of our actions is not sufficient to prevent us from engaging in destructive or sinful behavior.  While it is true that knowledge of the consequences can be a strong deterrent, many of us will choose to sin in spite of those consequences.

         God’s people diligently studied the Scriptures and knew about the warnings in Deuteronomy regarding the consequences they would face for covenant unfaithfulness, but that didn’t stop them from abandoning the Lord.  

            May you recognize the consequences of your actions before you are forced to endure them.

Bible Discussion Guide:
How do you generally deal with consequences?  Do you get frustrated or do you accept them and work through them?
Sometimes we receive negative consequences, even if we do what is right.  How does this possibility affect how you live your life?
What is your first reaction to witnessing someone else dealing with the consequences of life?  Are you quick to judge or quick to help?
If God decides what consequences He will bring about for His purposes of judgment and discipline, what is our role to be?
Have you ever ignored good advice and regretted it?  Could you share your story with the group?
What is the root reason for our unwillingness to accept someone else’s counsel?  How can we change that underlying cause?
Can you share an example of a time when forgiveness doesn’t eliminate all consequences for our actions? 
If consequences can still result even with forgiveness, what purpose does forgiveness serve?
If we forgive someone, what rights over that person do we voluntarily give up?
Make a list of people who have had a positive impact in your life.  How would your life be different if one or more of those people never existed?
What is it that gives significance to a life?
Is the responsibility of a watchman a fair one?
Consider the story of the negligent hotel employee.  How might the verdict be different if he had alerted the guest, who then chose to not leave until the rope fire escape was the only viable option.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:  “Successful evangelism is taking the initiative to share the gospel and leaving the results up to God.”
Why do you think people continue to sin in spite of a full awareness of the consequences?

2 Kings 25:8-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 39:11-40:6; 52:12-27; Lamentations 1. “Time’s Up!”

         “The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple.  But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words.  They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:15-16).
         Contrary to what many think, the Lord’s patience does have a limit.  Peter noted, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise… No, he is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time… But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief…” (2 Pet. 3:9-10).
         Restoration is a beautiful thing, but there will be a time when its offer runs out.  You can’t rely on waiting until the last minute of your life to get things in order.  You may not have that opportunity.  The same will be true for mankind historically.  There will be a day when the whistle blows, when the trumpet calls.  Don’t wait too long to receive God’s promise of restoration, reconciliation and salvation.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Bible Discussion Guide:

• What part does hope play in the life of the believer and why does it matter?
• Define restoration (see Aug. 21).  Describe the process (some possible hints are found in the Aug. 24 devotional).
• A great testimony was shared in church some time back in which the individual described time in “the cooking pot” (a difficult time).  And one of his comments was a desire to back up the clock and do it over.  The Aug. 22 devotional describes the same thing.  Is there an upside to time spent in “the cooking pot”?
• Walk through the questions at the end of the August 23rd devotional.
• There are many prophecies describing the restoration of the nation Israel.  Things have already been fulfilled concerning Israel that many did not think possible.  There’s a fascinating prophecy in chapter 26 about the city of Tyre along the Mediterranean.  It prophesies how the ancient city would be destroyed so completely that its surface would be smooth and its stones would be cast into the sea.  Well, just a few years after the prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar laid a 13 year siege against the city, but didn’t totally fulfill all the details of Ezekiel’s prophecy.  He bothered it enough that the city rebuilt itself offshore on an island, and became again very strong, proud and wealthy.  But 250 years after Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, 332 BC, determined to seize the city, and to do so he created a causeway to the island produced from the ruins of the former ancient city, moving every stone out.  Prophecy was fulfilled perfectly.
• What impact does fulfilled prophecy have on us?
• How does knowing God’s patience does have a limit affect the believer and the unbeliever?
• Personal application:  (Specific to August 23) Make it personal as you consider three of the factors to that situation: Have you been guilty of expecting God to get you out of the trouble you put yourself into?  Is it easier to ignore God’s warnings when things are going well?  Is it possible to just use God when it’s to our advantage? 

2 Kings 25:3-7; Jeremiah 39:2-10; 52:6-11; Ezekiel 26:15-28:26.  “Restoration Prophecies”

         Bible prophets often spoke of a future restoration of the land of Israel.  Many of those prophets lived during times in which their homeland was being conquered and destroyed by a succession of ancient empires.  Today, we can see with our own eyes what some of those prophets saw with theirs—the current restoration of Israel—a nation that until 1948 had not been a united and sovereign nation for nearly 3,000 years.  Perfect restoration will not come until Christ’s return.
         Below is a partial list of prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel as a nation: Is. 27:12-13, restore Jews; Is. 35:1-2, restoration of Israel; Is. 43:5-6, worldwide return; Jer. 32:44, Jews buy back land; Ez. 4:3-6, Israel re-established; Ez. 11:17, Israel as their country; Ez. 20:34, Jews return; Ez. 22:14-15, Jews scattered; Ez. 34:13, return to "their own land"; Ez. 36:8-10, restored and repopulated; Ez. 36:11, prosperity; Ez. 36:24, re-gathered; Ez. 36:33-35, rebuilt and resettled; Ez. 37:10-14, brought back to life; Ez. 37:15-19, a united people; Ez. 37:21-22, re-established; Joel 2:22, become prosperous land; Amos 9:11, 13, rebuilt; Amos 9:14-15, regain control; Mic. 7:8-11, rise again; Zech. 8:12, again fruitful.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Jeremiah 32-33; Ezekiel 26:1-14.  “Fully Restored”

         God’s encouraging words of restoration came in the form of promise to Israel.  His promises of restoration were part of His plan for Israel.  It’s important for us to remember that His plan covers everything; the beginning, middle, and end.
         His restoration is not haphazard.  I can think of some building projects I’ve been involved in that were not thought through.  For instance, a building restoration is a well-planned process.  First, you must know the original state or condition of the building.  Second, you must know the full extent of decay/disrepair of the current condition.  Third, having an accurate picture allows you to know the true cost for the restoration project.  Final, after the price is paid and the work completed; the building is once again the beautiful building it was originally created to be.
         God had a plan from the beginning concerning Christ’s restoration of the kingdom (see Acts 3:21).  God also had a plan concerning our restoration: “He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body.  As a result… you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault” (Col. 1:22).

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Jeremiah 21, 34; Ezekiel 24:15-25:17; 29:1-16; 30:20-31:18.  “Crime but No Time?”

         Picture the familiar scene:  A wrong has been done, a punishment must be made, and the offender is suddenly sorry.  It is possible to apologize for getting caught and not for the offense.  This was the case with King Zedekiah.  He had been warned time and again of God’s coming judgment if he would not change.  Now the judgment came and suddenly he wanted it taken away.  He requested of Jeremiah, “Please ask the LORD to help me… perhaps He will do this for me… and this…” (21:2).  He did not admit his sin.  He was only sorry for getting caught and having to reap the penalty of which he had been warned often.  And then he suggests a few things the Lord could do.
         Make it personal as you consider three of the factors in that situation: Have you been guilty of expecting God to get you out of the trouble you put yourself into?  Is it easier to ignore God’s warnings when things are going well?  Is it possible to just use God when it’s to our advantage? 

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

2 Kings 24:20b-25:2; Jeremiah 39:1; 52:3b-5; Ezekiel 22:17-24:14.  “In the Cooking Pot”

         Have you ever felt like you were in the “cooking pot”?  In the 1987 AFC Championship football game between Cleveland and Denver, Ernest Byner fumbled the ball just as he got ready to score a touchdown.  That mistake cost the Cleveland Browns the championship, a trip to the Super Bowl and is what most people remember about Ernest Byner.  Even though Ernest Byner had an otherwise stellar fourteen-year career in the NFL and was ranked 16th on the all-time rushing list, many angry Cleveland fans will not forget the "infamous fumble."  His fumble ruined an otherwise impressive performance, as he finished the game with 67 rushing yards, 7 receptions for 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
         When you’re in the “cooking pot” you wish you could do things over.  No one felt that more than Judah.  They were under siege for 2 ½ years.  If they could back up the clock for a do-over they would.  But they had ignored the warnings cried out for years by God’s prophets.  Maybe not from a fumble, but most of the time we wind up in the “cooking pot” we have gone there willfully.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Ezekiel 20:1-22:16.  “Preventing Decay”

         One of the aspects of the dictionary definition for “restore” is “to recover from ruin or decay.”  The importance of that spiritually is enormous.  Restoration is expressed throughout Scripture, and the facet of its recovering something from decay is foundational.  We are ruined and decaying because of sin, and we need the salvation that Jesus Christ offers.  Even as believers, each day we must strive to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  We need to avoid following the desires of our old sinful nature (Gal. 5).  If we choose to go down that road we will be in need of some restoration.  In today’s passage the people were in need of a purging, a cleaning (20:38).  And even at that, there was hope in the end.  God said, “When I bring you home from exile, you will be as pleasing to me as an offering of perfumed incense” (20:41).  God cleanses thoroughly.
         “Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin… Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”  Psalm 51:2, 7

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

We just spent the weekend with longtime friends who have fully restored the home he grew up in.  It is a beautiful place on a tremendous piece of property.  They could tell you firsthand of the work, planning and money spent to tackle such a project.  He now has a plethora of new stories about planning departments, architects, permits, unrealistic estimates, and on and on.
         There may well be a downside to restoring anything (work, money, etc.), but there is also an upside, and that is the finished project.  God offers restoration (reconciliation, salvation and forgiveness) to us, and in a similar way there was a downside.  A tremendous cost was necessary; the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
         As you read this week’s passages, note the emphasis on various aspects of restoration.

Ezekiel 17-19. “Hope at the End of the Trial”

         Adolph Hitler was an avid believer in astrology and consulted with his special astrologist before making any decisions.  One day in consulting with him, Hitler asked, “On what day will I die?”  “You will die on a Jewish holiday,” replied the astrologist.  “How can you be so sure of that?” asked Hitler.  “Any day you die will be a Jewish holiday,” replied the astrologist.
         As we continue reading through the books of the prophets, we will frequently be hearing warnings of coming judgment for Israel.  Yet there are statements of hope sprinkled throughout the passages that we dare not miss.  They are wonderful words of inspiration, promise and hope.  In today’s passage Ezekiel prophesies of judgment and then ends with words of hope: And the Sovereign LORD says, “I will take a tender shoot from the top of a tall cedar and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain.  It will become a noble cedar…” (17:22).
         Occasionally the time of hope is many years away (like this passage referring to the time of the Messiah), but hope is nonetheless there.  There is hope.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Download the PDF version below.

2 Kings 24:20b-25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 21, 32-34, 39; 40:1-6; 52:3b-27; Lamentations 1; Ezekiel 17-28; 29:1-16; 30:20-31:18

         We just spent the weekend with longtime friends who have fully restored the home he grew up in.  It is a beautiful place on a tremendous piece of property.  They could tell you firsthand of the work, planning and money spent to tackle such a project.  He now has a plethora of new stories about planning departments, architects, permits, unrealistic estimates, and on and on.

         There may well be a downside to restoring anything (work, money, etc.), but there is also an upside, and that is the finished project.  God offers restoration (reconciliation, salvation and forgiveness) to us, and in a similar way there was a downside.  A tremendous cost was necessary; the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.

         As you read this week’s passages, note the emphasis on various aspects of restoration.

August 20th

Ezekiel 17-19.  “Hope at the End of the Trial”

         Adolph Hitler was an avid believer in astrology and consulted with his special astrologist before making any decisions.  One day in consulting with him, Hitler asked, “On what day will I die?”  “You will die on a Jewish holiday,” replied the astrologist.  “How can you be so sure of that?” asked Hitler.  “Any day you die will be a Jewish holiday,” replied the astrologist.

         As we continue reading through the books of the prophets, we will frequently be hearing warnings of coming judgment for Israel.  Yet there are statements of hope sprinkled throughout the passages that we dare not miss.  They are wonderful words of inspiration, promise and hope.  In today’s passage Ezekiel prophesies of judgment and then ends with words of hope: And the Sovereign LORD says, “I will take a tender shoot from the top of a tall cedar and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain.  It will become a noble cedar…” (17:22).  

         Occasionally the time of hope is many years away (like this passage referring to the time of the Messiah), but hope is nonetheless there.  There is hope.

August 21st

Ezekiel 20:1-22:16.  “Preventing Decay”

         One of the aspects of the dictionary definition for “restore” is “to recover from ruin or decay.”  The importance of that spiritually is enormous.  Restoration is expressed throughout Scripture, and the facet of its recovering something from decay is foundational.  We are ruined and decaying because of sin, and we need the salvation that Jesus Christ offers.  Even as believers, each day we must strive to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  We need to avoid following the desires of our old sinful nature (Gal. 5).  If we choose to go down that road we will be in need of some restoration.  In today’s passage the people were in need of a purging, a cleaning (20:38).  And even at that, there was hope in the end.  God said, “When I bring you home from exile, you will be as pleasing to me as an offering of perfumed incense” (20:41).  God cleanses thoroughly.

         “Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin… Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”  Psalm 51:2, 7

August 22nd

2 Kings 24:20b-25:2; Jeremiah 39:1; 52:3b-5; Ezekiel 22:17-24:14.  “In the Cooking Pot”

         Have you ever felt like you were in the “cooking pot”?  In the 1987 AFC Championship football game between Cleveland and Denver, Ernest Byner fumbled the ball just as he got ready to score a touchdown.  That mistake cost the Cleveland Browns the championship, a trip to the Super Bowl and is what most people remember about Ernest Byner.  Even though Ernest Byner had an otherwise stellar fourteen-year career in the NFL and was ranked 16th on the all-time rushing list, many angry Cleveland fans will not forget the "infamous fumble."  His fumble ruined an otherwise impressive performance, as he finished the game with 67 rushing yards, 7 receptions for 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

         When you’re in the “cooking pot” you wish you could do things over.  No one felt that more than Judah.  They were under siege for 2 ½ years.  If they could back up the clock for a do-over they would.  But they had ignored the warnings cried out for years by God’s prophets.  Maybe not from a fumble, but most of the time we wind up in the “cooking pot” we have gone there willfully.

August 23rd

Jeremiah 21, 34; Ezekiel 24:15-25:17; 29:1-16; 30:20-31:18.  “Crime but No Time?”

         Picture the familiar scene:  A wrong has been done, a punishment must be made, and the offender is suddenly sorry.  It is possible to apologize for getting caught and not for the offense.  This was the case with King Zedekiah.  He had been warned time and again of God’s coming judgment if he would not change.  Now the judgment came and suddenly he wanted it taken away.  He requested of Jeremiah, “Please ask the LORD to help me… perhaps He will do this for me… and this…” (21:2).  He did not admit his sin.  He was only sorry for getting caught and having to reap the penalty of which he had been warned often.  And then he suggests a few things the Lord could do.

         Make it personal as you consider three of the factors in that situation: Have you been guilty of expecting God to get you out of the trouble you put yourself into?  Is it easier to ignore God’s warnings when things are going well?  Is it possible to just use God when it’s to our advantage?  

August 24th

Jeremiah 32-33; Ezekiel 26:1-14.  “Fully Restored”

         God’s encouraging words of restoration came in the form of promise to Israel.  His promises of restoration were part of His plan for Israel.  It’s important for us to remember that His plan covers everything; the beginning, middle, and end.  

         His restoration is not haphazard.  I can think of some building projects I’ve been involved in that were not thought through.  For instance, a building restoration is a well-planned process.  First, you must know the original state or condition of the building.  Second, you must know the full extent of decay/disrepair of the current condition.  Third, having an accurate picture allows you to know the true cost for the restoration project.  Final, after the price is paid and the work completed; the building is once again the beautiful building it was originally created to be.

         God had a plan from the beginning concerning Christ’s restoration of the kingdom (see Acts 3:21).  God also had a plan concerning our restoration: “He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body.  As a result… you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault” (Col. 1:22).

August 25th

2 Kings 25:3-7; Jeremiah 39:2-10; 52:6-11; Ezekiel 26:15-28:26.  “Restoration Prophecies”

         Bible prophets often spoke of a future restoration of the land of Israel.  Many of those prophets lived during times in which their homeland was being conquered and destroyed by a succession of ancient empires.  Today, we can see with our own eyes what some of those prophets saw with theirs—the current restoration of Israel—a nation that until 1948 had not been a united and sovereign nation for nearly 3,000 years.  Perfect restoration will not come until Christ’s return.

         Below is a partial list of prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel as a nation: Is. 27:12-13, restore Jews; Is. 35:1-2, restoration of Israel; Is. 43:5-6, worldwide return; Jer. 32:44, Jews buy back land; Ez. 4:3-6, Israel re-established; Ez. 11:17, Israel as their country; Ez. 20:34, Jews return; Ez. 22:14-15, Jews scattered; Ez. 34:13, return to "their own land"; Ez. 36:8-10, restored and repopulated; Ez. 36:11, prosperity; Ez. 36:24, re-gathered; Ez. 36:33-35, rebuilt and resettled; Ez. 37:10-14, brought back to life; Ez. 37:15-19, a united people; Ez. 37:21-22, re-established; Joel 2:22, become prosperous land; Amos 9:11, 13, rebuilt; Amos 9:14-15, regain control; Mic. 7:8-11, rise again; Zech. 8:12, again fruitful.

August 26th

2 Kings 25:8-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 39:11-40:6; 52:12-27; Lamentations 1.  “Time’s Up!”

         “The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple.  But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words.  They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:15-16).

         Contrary to what many think, the Lord’s patience does have a limit.  Peter noted, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise… No, he is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time… But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief…” (2 Pet. 3:9-10).  

            Restoration is a beautiful thing, but there will be a time when its offer runs out.  You can’t rely on waiting until the last minute of your life to get things in order.  You may not have that opportunity.  The same will be true for mankind historically.  There will be a day when the whistle blows, when the trumpet calls.  Don’t wait too long to receive God’s promise of restoration, reconciliation and salvation.

Bible Discussion Guide:
What part does hope play in the life of the believer and why does it matter?
Define restoration (see Aug. 21).  Describe the process (some possible hints are found in the Aug. 24 devotional).
A great testimony was shared in church some time back in which the individual described time in “the cooking pot” (a difficult time).  And one of his comments was a desire to back up the clock and do it over.  The Aug. 22 devotional describes the same thing.  Is there an upside to time spent in “the cooking pot”?
Walk through the questions at the end of the August 23rd devotional.
There are many prophecies describing the restoration of the nation Israel.  Things have already been fulfilled concerning Israel that many did not think possible.  There’s a fascinating prophecy in chapter 26 about the city of Tyre along the Mediterranean.  It prophesies how the ancient city would be destroyed so completely that its surface would be smooth and its stones would be cast into the sea.  Well, just a few years after the prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar laid a 13 year siege against the city, but didn’t totally fulfill all the details of Ezekiel’s prophecy.  He bothered it enough that the city rebuilt itself offshore on an island, and became again very strong, proud and wealthy.  But 250 years after Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, 332 BC, determined to seize the city, and to do so he created a causeway to the island produced from the ruins of the former ancient city, moving every stone out.  Prophecy was fulfilled perfectly.
What impact does fulfilled prophecy have on us?
How does knowing God’s patience does have a limit affect the believer and the unbeliever?
Personal application:  (Specific to August 23) Make it personal as you consider three of the factors to that situation: Have you been guilty of expecting God to get you out of the trouble you put yourself into?  Is it easier to ignore God’s warnings when things are going well?  Is it possible to just use God when it’s to our advantage?

Ezekiel 14-16. “Righteousness of Christ”

         “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags” – Isaiah 64:6
         In Ezekiel 14, the Lord patiently reveals to His people that they have no hope of avoiding His judgments.  The point that He is repeatedly making is that your righteousness cannot save you from God’s judgment.  He further strengthens the point by declaring that even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel and Job would not spare the people of judgment.  This statement rings true for us as well because our righteousness is not sufficient to save us in the face of God’s judgment.
         Praise be to God that the story does not end there, for we have a glorious hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Because of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus we can, through faith, have His righteousness credited to our account.  This is the only way we can know and experience the hope of salvation.  Attempting to avoid God’s wrath by our own righteousness is as futile for us today as it was in Ezekiel’s day.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Ezekiel 10-13.  “Personal Relationship”

         At the start of this week, we read about the coming of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34.  In God’s expression of hope to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel, we read more details of the coming covenant (Ezekiel 11:14-21).  As part of the new covenant, God will do a heart transplant in His people, removing the old heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh that obeys God.  This is a picture of what happens in the lives of Christians today.  When we come to faith in Christ, God regenerates that life and puts in them a new heart and his Holy Spirit, who now enables them to follow God.
         Another element of the new covenant mentioned in this passage is the emphasis on personal relationship with God.  “Then they will truly be My people, and I will be their God” (11:20b).  While Israel belonged to God as His covenant people, whom He had redeemed, under the new covenant the personal connection we have with the Lord is stronger because of the Holy Spirit, who indwells each believer.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Ezekiel 5-9.  “That’s Not a Threat, It’s a Promise”

         “For I am the LORD!  What I threaten always happens.” – Ezekiel 12:25
         Ezekiel paints a very bleak picture for the fate of God’s people.  But for those who have been reading the Scriptures closely, it should come as no surprise, because Moses informed Israel as to what would happen if they refused to listen to the Lord (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).  Even though God is pouring out His judgment on Israel, there is hope in knowing that He is fulfilling His promises by doing so.  This is because there is more to God’s promises in Deuteronomy than just words of destruction.  Two chapters later in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, Moses prophesies concerning God’s promise of restoration when those who remain repent and return to the Lord.
         While many of us make idle threats, the Lord doesn’t.  His promises are real and trustworthy.  Reading about God fulfilling His promise of judgment reinforces our hope of salvation and the promises that we have in Christ.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Jeremiah 27-28; 51:59-64; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17.  “Hope Springs Eternal”

         Those of you who know me, know that I love baseball.  The game is a wonderful gift from God, in my opinion.  Someone once said that the great thing about baseball (professional baseball that is) is that every team goes into the season knowing they will win sixty games and lose sixty games and the rest of them are up for grabs.  This gives each team hope in Spring Training.
         Ezekiel received a similar statement of hope in 3:27.  The Lord told Ezekiel that, when he delivers a message from the Lord, “some will listen, but some will ignore you.”  What a comfort and hope to know that some will listen.
         We too can share in that hope and comfort Ezekiel had when we share the gospel message.  Scripture teaches us that God indeed has elected some to believe in Him.  So, while everyone with whom we share the gospel may not repent and believe, we can have the confidence that some will.  And since we do not know whom God has elected, we are to obediently move forward with the command to preach the word, knowing that some will believe. 

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Jeremiah 37:11-38:28; Ezekiel 1:1- 3:15. “God’s Omnipresence”

         Leaving home for an unfamiliar world can indeed be a frightening experience.  It will be an experience that will be repeated thousands of times in the coming weeks by young men and women heading off to college.  For the Christian, it is helpful and comforting to know that God is there with you in that new and different place.
         This is also a truth that God’s people who were living in exile in Babylon needed to know.  Because the Jewish system of worship was centered around the temple in Jerusalem as the dwelling place of the Lord, it was especially difficult for these exiles to understand that God is omnipresent and is not limited to a single physical location.  The vision Ezekiel received served to accomplish just that.  The wheels moving in every direction speaks to God’s ability to be present in every situation everywhere.
         All of us have that place where God feels especially present and that place where we always feel like we are home.  However, we can know and have confidence that, no matter where we are, God will be present with us and our relationship with Him is not dependent upon a location or building.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

2 Kings 24:10-20a; 1 Chronicles 3:10-16; 2 Chronicles 36:10-14; Jeremiah 37:1-10; 51:15-58; 52:1-3a.  “False Hope”

         Ever since the kingdom of Israel became divided under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12), the kings of both Israel and Judah led God’s people through a downward spiral of idolatry and disobedience.  This had resulted in Israel no longer being a major player on the world political scene as it had been under David and Solomon.  We see in Jeremiah 37 that the only relief Israel had from the Babylonians was when Egypt threatened to attack.  While this gave Judah some hope, Jeremiah was quick to point out that trusting in Egypt was a false hope.
         False hope can be quite devastating.  As we see in the Old Testament, anytime God’s people trusted anyone or anything other than the Lord, it resulted in a false hope.  I think this is a key lesson for us to glean from the Old Testament.  Anytime we trust someone other than the Lord, including ourselves, for our salvation or for the strength to battle temptation, it will result in tragedy.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

         The reading for this week will deal with Israel in exile.  While there are still some who remain in Jerusalem, the main shift of the Scriptures has been on those who are living in exile in Babylon.  Particularly we see this in Ezekiel, whose ministry was directly to God’s people living in exile.  Because they were dark days for God’s people, both those left in Jerusalem and those in exile, there is a recurring theme of hope that we will be looking at this week.

Jeremiah 31:15-40; 49:34-51:14.  “New Covenant”

          The days in which Jeremiah ministered were certainly dark days.  Judah as a nation was falling apart and God’s covenant people, the Israelites, had essentially abandoned God at this point.  However, as you read today, because of God’s faithfulness there is still hope.
         Jeremiah 31:31-34 delivers the promise of a new covenant.  It is the covenant that Jesus spoke of during the last supper (Matt. 26:28).  It is the covenant that was sealed with the shed blood of Christ.  And it is this passage from Jeremiah that was quoted by the author of Hebrews as he contrasted the new and the old covenants (Heb. 8:8-12)
         It is a better covenant (Heb. 8:6) because it involves an internal change.  Instead of being focused on external obedience and works, Jeremiah says that God will write His word on their hearts.  We, as members of this new and better covenant, have the word of God emblazoned on our hearts through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
         It was this promise of a future covenant that gave hope to the faithful few in Jeremiah’s day and it continues to give us hope as well.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?