Father, part of Jeremiah’s prophecy has already come true. You did indeed send Your people “into the hand of the king of Babylon.” And seventy years later, You did “gather them from the lands where You banished them.” They once again bought and sold fields in the land. Jerusalem was rebuilt.
I love the words of Jeremiah’s prayer, and have sung them before: “Ah Lord God, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power – Ah Lord God You have made the heavens and the earth by Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You…”
The earth is Your creation, truly the work of Your hand and arm. All power and honor and sovereignty are due You, and only You. And there is literally, nothing beyond Your ability and power. Nothing.
Part of Jeremiah’s words are yet to be fulfilled. You promised Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and never again be demolished. And although the city was rebuilt when the king of Persia sent the Israelites back, it has been destroyed again and again.
Also, they were to “live in safety.” But the Israelites have been under the rule of many conquerors since then. Even today, as a formal nation, their neighbors are not on peaceful terms with them, and war is an ever-present concern. So those “days” have not arrived yet.
But Your fulfillment of Your promises in the past assures me that Your promises for the future are true. And that the prophecies You have given will all come true.
One day, “All will know the Lord, from the least …to the greatest.” So in the meantime, I desire to live a life guided by Your instruction. It seems the list of qualities Paul gives is a good place to start.
Father, help me be “temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunk or violent or quarrelsome or a lover of money.” If I am drawn away from or drift away from these qualities, rein me back in so I will not be an embarrassment to You.
Thank You, that You, the Creator, Almighty God, King of the Universe, cares enough to let me know, through Your Word, of Your faithfulness to keep all the promises You have made. And for showing me what is to come.
I thank You for showing me how to live until that time: in great hope and in humble obedience. Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 