Today's Devotion
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Jeremiah 40
God protected His prophet and allowed him to choose to live in Babylon or his hometown that was now but a relic of its old self. While the king and his government officials were exiled or killed, Jeremiah was given complete freedom to choose where he wanted to live with a promise of protection and provision no matter his decision. When he chose to stay in Jerusalem, the commander of the guard sent him to Gedaliah who was Nebuchadnezzar’s choice to oversee the land and the people. Where does our protection come from? Does it come from military might or from locks and keys, or does it come from our Almighty God who controls every part of His creation? The destruction of Jerusalem and Babylon’s eventual fall point us directly to our great God and His protection over His people. We can trust Him to not only protect us on the earth but also to prepare us for an eternity with Him. Jeremiah rested fully in God’s plan and His protection and enjoyed a freedom that few did in Nebuchadnezzar’s empire. He did nothing to deserve that from the great king, but his faithfulness to speak God’s truth and to walk in obedience to His way have created a protective barrier around the prophet that no earthly entity can break. How can we experience that same level of protection? We, too, must speak His truth and walk in obedience to His way. It is just that simple! We serve a God who is stronger than any foe and more than able to defeat any obstacle that we might face; therefore, our faith is in the One who can truly protect us. O what an awesome God we serve.
Help me, Lord, to speak Your truth daily and walk in obedience to it. Help me to rest in Your protection knowing You are greater than any foe or obstacle I will face.
Jeremiah 40
God protected His prophet and allowed him to choose to live in Babylon or his hometown that was now but a relic of its old self. While the king and his government officials were exiled or killed, Jeremiah was given complete freedom to choose where he wanted to live with a promise of protection and provision no matter his decision. When he chose to stay in Jerusalem, the commander of the guard sent him to Gedaliah who was Nebuchadnezzar’s choice to oversee the land and the people. Where does our protection come from? Does it come from military might or from locks and keys, or does it come from our Almighty God who controls every part of His creation? The destruction of Jerusalem and Babylon’s eventual fall point us directly to our great God and His protection over His people. We can trust Him to not only protect us on the earth but also to prepare us for an eternity with Him. Jeremiah rested fully in God’s plan and His protection and enjoyed a freedom that few did in Nebuchadnezzar’s empire. He did nothing to deserve that from the great king, but his faithfulness to speak God’s truth and to walk in obedience to His way have created a protective barrier around the prophet that no earthly entity can break. How can we experience that same level of protection? We, too, must speak His truth and walk in obedience to His way. It is just that simple! We serve a God who is stronger than any foe and more than able to defeat any obstacle that we might face; therefore, our faith is in the One who can truly protect us. O what an awesome God we serve.
Help me, Lord, to speak Your truth daily and walk in obedience to it. Help me to rest in Your protection knowing You are greater than any foe or obstacle I will face.
Weekly Archive
Monday, August 31, 2026
Jeremiah 39
When the breach in walls of Jerusalem finally occurred, the king ran for his life and paid dearly for it. Jeremiah warned him of coming doom and encouraged him to surrender before the breach so that he would not suffer, but he chose to follow his own plan and the result was disastrous. Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers caught King Zedekiah, killed his sons and the government leaders before his eyes, blinded the Judean king, and took him to Babylon in “fetters of bronze.” Do you wonder if he ever processed his decisions and realized how different his future could have been? As for Jeremiah, he was protected by the king of the Babylonians and allowed to choose whether to stay in his homeland or live a protected life in Babylon. It is incredible to think that God’s people persecuted the prophet and a heathen king protected him from harm and provided daily rations for his care. God’s care for His faithful knows no limits. He can and will use anyone and anything to meet the needs of His people. We must always remember that all things are possible with the Almighty. Two questions come to mind this morning… Will you regret not listening to God’s truth at some point in your future? God promises that we will reap what we sow; therefore, listening to His truth is always our best option. Will you trust that God has no boundaries when it comes to your care? Fear and worry are not part of God’s plan for our lives; instead, we must trust His promise to provide for our needs through whatever means He determines necessary!
Help me, Lord, to hear Your truth and obey without question or fear. Help me to lay aside all worry and trust that You will meet my needs in ways I cannot comprehend.
Jeremiah 39
When the breach in walls of Jerusalem finally occurred, the king ran for his life and paid dearly for it. Jeremiah warned him of coming doom and encouraged him to surrender before the breach so that he would not suffer, but he chose to follow his own plan and the result was disastrous. Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers caught King Zedekiah, killed his sons and the government leaders before his eyes, blinded the Judean king, and took him to Babylon in “fetters of bronze.” Do you wonder if he ever processed his decisions and realized how different his future could have been? As for Jeremiah, he was protected by the king of the Babylonians and allowed to choose whether to stay in his homeland or live a protected life in Babylon. It is incredible to think that God’s people persecuted the prophet and a heathen king protected him from harm and provided daily rations for his care. God’s care for His faithful knows no limits. He can and will use anyone and anything to meet the needs of His people. We must always remember that all things are possible with the Almighty. Two questions come to mind this morning… Will you regret not listening to God’s truth at some point in your future? God promises that we will reap what we sow; therefore, listening to His truth is always our best option. Will you trust that God has no boundaries when it comes to your care? Fear and worry are not part of God’s plan for our lives; instead, we must trust His promise to provide for our needs through whatever means He determines necessary!
Help me, Lord, to hear Your truth and obey without question or fear. Help me to lay aside all worry and trust that You will meet my needs in ways I cannot comprehend.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Jeremiah 38
God continues to warn His people of coming doom and offers them a chance to survive. Jeremiah encourages the people to surrender to the Babylonians and live. When the city leaders hear his message, they go to the king and ask for the freedom to take the prophet’s life. The king, under the duress of the attack, gives the men freedom to do whatever they want with the prophet. They put him in a cistern filled with mud and plan to allow him to die. An Ethiopian went to the king and asked for a pardon for the prophet which the king granted. After his rescue, Jeremiah spoke freely with the king who did not listen, but who protected the prophet from future harm. Could Jeremiah have died in that mud pit? He could have but not because the wicked men wanted him dead. He would have died there because God was finished with him on the earth. As those who follow Jesus, we have a quiet confidence that our God is in complete control. He determines not only our birthday but also the day of our death and nothing is going to speed that up or slow it down. Jeremiah was in the Lord’s hands even in that pit. He was probably scared but fear did not rule in that moment; no, faith ruled as the prophet rested in God’s plan for his life. Are you confident in God’s plan? Can you rest in that plan even when you receive terrible news or a possible life-threatening diagnosis? God puts us on this earth for a specific time and for a specific purpose. As we grow, He reveals the purpose, and the time is 100% in His hands. Faith encourages us to live every day to the fullest because we have no guarantee of tomorrow.
Help me, Lord, to trust Your timing for my life and rest in Your plan. Help me to walk by faith through this life and live every day to the fullest for Your glory.
Jeremiah 38
God continues to warn His people of coming doom and offers them a chance to survive. Jeremiah encourages the people to surrender to the Babylonians and live. When the city leaders hear his message, they go to the king and ask for the freedom to take the prophet’s life. The king, under the duress of the attack, gives the men freedom to do whatever they want with the prophet. They put him in a cistern filled with mud and plan to allow him to die. An Ethiopian went to the king and asked for a pardon for the prophet which the king granted. After his rescue, Jeremiah spoke freely with the king who did not listen, but who protected the prophet from future harm. Could Jeremiah have died in that mud pit? He could have but not because the wicked men wanted him dead. He would have died there because God was finished with him on the earth. As those who follow Jesus, we have a quiet confidence that our God is in complete control. He determines not only our birthday but also the day of our death and nothing is going to speed that up or slow it down. Jeremiah was in the Lord’s hands even in that pit. He was probably scared but fear did not rule in that moment; no, faith ruled as the prophet rested in God’s plan for his life. Are you confident in God’s plan? Can you rest in that plan even when you receive terrible news or a possible life-threatening diagnosis? God puts us on this earth for a specific time and for a specific purpose. As we grow, He reveals the purpose, and the time is 100% in His hands. Faith encourages us to live every day to the fullest because we have no guarantee of tomorrow.
Help me, Lord, to trust Your timing for my life and rest in Your plan. Help me to walk by faith through this life and live every day to the fullest for Your glory.
Saturday, August 28, 2026
Jeremiah 37
At one point in the siege of Jerusalem, the Babylonians left to put down a rebellion by the Egyptians. Zedekiah secretly sends a small cohort to Jeremiah to ask for any word from the Lord. The prophet has no choice but to tell the truth which did not win him any friends. His warning of coming doom has not changed even though for the moment the siege has quieted. During the quiet, Jeremiah tries to leave the capital city to go to the land of Benjamin “in order to take possession of some property there among the people.” When a captain of the guard saw Jeremiah trying to leave the city, he falsely accused the prophet of treason, beat him, and threw him in prison. After many days, Zedekiah called for the prophet and asked if he might have another word from the Lord. While the message had not changed, Jeremiah had an opportunity to ask for leniency from the king which was granted. We, like Zedekiah, like to put too much stock in our momentary circumstances and less stock into God’s unchanging Word. We have an experience and assume that it changes everything. We give the moment more authority in our lives than the living Word of God and make foolish decisions because of it. Can God speak through our circumstances? He can, and He does at times, but He never contradicts His Word by it. If what you experience is in opposition to the truth, then the experience will lead to bondage while the truth will always set you free. Zedekiah hoped that the Babylonians departure would ignite a new word from the Almighty, but it did not. Stop leaning so heavily on your momentary successes or failures and put all your stock in God’s Holy Word.
Help me, Lord, to wade through the ups and downs of life while keeping my eyes fully focused on You. Help me to put my trust in Your Word and not in the fleeting circumstances of this crazy life.
Jeremiah 37
At one point in the siege of Jerusalem, the Babylonians left to put down a rebellion by the Egyptians. Zedekiah secretly sends a small cohort to Jeremiah to ask for any word from the Lord. The prophet has no choice but to tell the truth which did not win him any friends. His warning of coming doom has not changed even though for the moment the siege has quieted. During the quiet, Jeremiah tries to leave the capital city to go to the land of Benjamin “in order to take possession of some property there among the people.” When a captain of the guard saw Jeremiah trying to leave the city, he falsely accused the prophet of treason, beat him, and threw him in prison. After many days, Zedekiah called for the prophet and asked if he might have another word from the Lord. While the message had not changed, Jeremiah had an opportunity to ask for leniency from the king which was granted. We, like Zedekiah, like to put too much stock in our momentary circumstances and less stock into God’s unchanging Word. We have an experience and assume that it changes everything. We give the moment more authority in our lives than the living Word of God and make foolish decisions because of it. Can God speak through our circumstances? He can, and He does at times, but He never contradicts His Word by it. If what you experience is in opposition to the truth, then the experience will lead to bondage while the truth will always set you free. Zedekiah hoped that the Babylonians departure would ignite a new word from the Almighty, but it did not. Stop leaning so heavily on your momentary successes or failures and put all your stock in God’s Holy Word.
Help me, Lord, to wade through the ups and downs of life while keeping my eyes fully focused on You. Help me to put my trust in Your Word and not in the fleeting circumstances of this crazy life.
Friday, August 28, 2026
Jeremiah 36
God tells Jeremiah to write everything He has spoken on a scroll. Jeremiah calls a scribe named Baruch and dictates everything that the Almighty has spoken to him since the reign of Josiah. The prophet then sends the scribe to the temple to read the words “to all the people of Judah.” When the leaders hear the Word, they take the scrolls to King Jehoiakim, and he throws them in the fire. God immediately tells Jeremiah to re-write the scrolls and add the fate of the wicked king who burned the first set. Why would a king throw a scroll filled with God’s Word into a fire? The simple answer is conviction. He did not want to hear what God had to say about his sinful lifestyle or the consequences of that lifestyle. He wanted to live in his sin without any guilt. “I will hide God’s Word in my heart that I might not sin against Him.” (Psalm 119:11) David understood the power of the Word and so does our culture which hates it because it calls out sin and creates a sense of guilt that does not feel good. Sinful man loves the darkness because it hides sin and does not exposes it to the truth. God and His Word shine light on sin and expose it for what it is. Has your sin stopped you from reading God’s Word? Would you rather be comfortable in your sin or convicted by the Scriptures? These are serious questions that might take some soul searching but are vital to your future walk with the Lord.
Help me, Lord, to hide Your Word in my heart so that I can enjoy victory over sin. Help me to hate sin and continually expose it to truth so that it will have no power over me.
Jeremiah 36
God tells Jeremiah to write everything He has spoken on a scroll. Jeremiah calls a scribe named Baruch and dictates everything that the Almighty has spoken to him since the reign of Josiah. The prophet then sends the scribe to the temple to read the words “to all the people of Judah.” When the leaders hear the Word, they take the scrolls to King Jehoiakim, and he throws them in the fire. God immediately tells Jeremiah to re-write the scrolls and add the fate of the wicked king who burned the first set. Why would a king throw a scroll filled with God’s Word into a fire? The simple answer is conviction. He did not want to hear what God had to say about his sinful lifestyle or the consequences of that lifestyle. He wanted to live in his sin without any guilt. “I will hide God’s Word in my heart that I might not sin against Him.” (Psalm 119:11) David understood the power of the Word and so does our culture which hates it because it calls out sin and creates a sense of guilt that does not feel good. Sinful man loves the darkness because it hides sin and does not exposes it to the truth. God and His Word shine light on sin and expose it for what it is. Has your sin stopped you from reading God’s Word? Would you rather be comfortable in your sin or convicted by the Scriptures? These are serious questions that might take some soul searching but are vital to your future walk with the Lord.
Help me, Lord, to hide Your Word in my heart so that I can enjoy victory over sin. Help me to hate sin and continually expose it to truth so that it will have no power over me.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Jeremiah 35
God leads His prophet to speak with the Rechabites, a disciplined family set apart from the wicked culture in Judah. Jeremiah takes them to the temple and offers them a pitcher full of wine and cups to drink from. They decline his offer and reveal that the son of their father, Rechab, commanded them to stay away from wine or any strong drink. They are not to build houses or plant vineyards but dwell in tents for their entire existence. Jeremiah is amazed at their discipline and obedience and encourages them to continue in their upright and honorable lifestyle. He also uses them as an example to those who have disobeyed God’s commands and who live undisciplined and degenerate lifestyles in Judah. The Rechabites had no problem turning down the wine offered to them by Jeremiah because they lived by a standard that honored their forefather and the Lord. They also had each other to hold them accountable and to encourage them when the world used them as a punching bag. We can walk in perfect peace when we choose to obey what God has taught us in His Word. We also have His church to keep us accountable and to encourage us to fight the good fight even when it hurts. God promises to protect the Rechabites due to their discipline and obedience. When we choose to obey God’s clear commands, we, too, enjoy His protection and provision, and we live in peace just like the Rechabites.
Help me, Lord, to live a disciplined and obedient life that honors You and allows Your perfect peace to rule my heart. Help me to walk in Your provision and protection from the craziness of this world and the folly of sin.
Jeremiah 35
God leads His prophet to speak with the Rechabites, a disciplined family set apart from the wicked culture in Judah. Jeremiah takes them to the temple and offers them a pitcher full of wine and cups to drink from. They decline his offer and reveal that the son of their father, Rechab, commanded them to stay away from wine or any strong drink. They are not to build houses or plant vineyards but dwell in tents for their entire existence. Jeremiah is amazed at their discipline and obedience and encourages them to continue in their upright and honorable lifestyle. He also uses them as an example to those who have disobeyed God’s commands and who live undisciplined and degenerate lifestyles in Judah. The Rechabites had no problem turning down the wine offered to them by Jeremiah because they lived by a standard that honored their forefather and the Lord. They also had each other to hold them accountable and to encourage them when the world used them as a punching bag. We can walk in perfect peace when we choose to obey what God has taught us in His Word. We also have His church to keep us accountable and to encourage us to fight the good fight even when it hurts. God promises to protect the Rechabites due to their discipline and obedience. When we choose to obey God’s clear commands, we, too, enjoy His protection and provision, and we live in peace just like the Rechabites.
Help me, Lord, to live a disciplined and obedient life that honors You and allows Your perfect peace to rule my heart. Help me to walk in Your provision and protection from the craziness of this world and the folly of sin.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Jeremiah 34
God is so faithful to reveal His truth to His people on multiple occasions so they know it and can confidently walk in it. Zedekiah has been given many warnings of what is to come, and he has rejected them as false rumors. He has not listened though Jeremiah has faithfully transmitted God’s word to him. As the war rages outside the walls of the great city, the prophet again delivers a clear message from the Lord. The king will lose the battle, stand face-to-face with Nebuchadnezzar, and be exiled to Babylon where he will eventually die in peace. God has spoken clearly and continually to Zedekiah and to Judah, but they will not listen. He has used different object lessons and multiple prophets, but the truth is regularly ignored and even replaced with the lies of the false prophets. How, then, can God get their attention? It will take something monumental and devastating, and Nebuchadnezzar is His last word to these people. He will defeat the city, destroy the temple, and take the people into exile. The singular goal has not changed with all the messages. God is calling Judah to repent and return to Him and now they will face dire circumstances because they would not listen. What specific message has God been transmitting to you through His Word, His Spirit, His people, and through daily interactions and experiences? God is faithful to deliver His truth to His people in multiple ways so that we have no doubt that He is speaking. When you are actively listening, it can almost get comical because He is so faithful to speak the same message continually until we listen and obey. Every sermon seems to preach the same message. Every song relays the same truth. Every conversation leads right back to that specific message from the Lord. You know He is speaking! Are you listening?
Help me, Lord, to continually listen for Your clear message and always be ready to obey. Help me to marvel at the many ways You transmit that message and celebrate Your faithfulness.
Jeremiah 34
God is so faithful to reveal His truth to His people on multiple occasions so they know it and can confidently walk in it. Zedekiah has been given many warnings of what is to come, and he has rejected them as false rumors. He has not listened though Jeremiah has faithfully transmitted God’s word to him. As the war rages outside the walls of the great city, the prophet again delivers a clear message from the Lord. The king will lose the battle, stand face-to-face with Nebuchadnezzar, and be exiled to Babylon where he will eventually die in peace. God has spoken clearly and continually to Zedekiah and to Judah, but they will not listen. He has used different object lessons and multiple prophets, but the truth is regularly ignored and even replaced with the lies of the false prophets. How, then, can God get their attention? It will take something monumental and devastating, and Nebuchadnezzar is His last word to these people. He will defeat the city, destroy the temple, and take the people into exile. The singular goal has not changed with all the messages. God is calling Judah to repent and return to Him and now they will face dire circumstances because they would not listen. What specific message has God been transmitting to you through His Word, His Spirit, His people, and through daily interactions and experiences? God is faithful to deliver His truth to His people in multiple ways so that we have no doubt that He is speaking. When you are actively listening, it can almost get comical because He is so faithful to speak the same message continually until we listen and obey. Every sermon seems to preach the same message. Every song relays the same truth. Every conversation leads right back to that specific message from the Lord. You know He is speaking! Are you listening?
Help me, Lord, to continually listen for Your clear message and always be ready to obey. Help me to marvel at the many ways You transmit that message and celebrate Your faithfulness.