Day 424 - Ezekiel 11 - 12:2- & Psalm 52

 Julie

While the Lord has been condemning those who are doing wrong, he also seems to be taking care of those that have given themselves to him. Those who decided to listen and follow the Lord will be taken care of and those that are not will be cast out..I believe that is what this is saying. 

The steadfast love of God endures forever and he condemns those that do evil in his eyes.

Michelle

I think you are right.  If you are devoted to God and follow his commands, you will be spared, and all others will be destroyed.  That is what it seems to say.  At the end of ch11, it sounds like what we read is a vision, as it says, "Then the vision I had seen went up from me, and I told the exiles everything the Lord had shown me".  Does that mean all this had been a vision, or some of it he really saw?  Now I am a little confused.  

The start of this sounds like he is condemning those that boast and do evil things.  He then says I am the one who trusts in the Lord.  

Day 423 - Ezekiel 9-10 & Psalm 51

 Julie

Angels are sent to carry out God's wrath on these people and then God's spirit departs from the temple. I am not really sure what else to say about this as it was a bit difficult to really understand the meaning behind some of the explanations.

This sounds like a prayer of repentance, asking God's forgiveness and saving grace.

Michelle

My bible says it was 6 men called to carry out the wrath of God on those that did not have a mark on them from the man in linen, who was told to mark those that grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are going on.  It says that the sin of the people is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice.  Chapter 10 tells of the cherubim and mostly describes it.  I can't quite picture this thing and it is confusing to me as I don't understand it at all for some reason.  

I agree, this sounds like a prayer of repentance.  David is asking God to forgive all his transgressions and once he is cleansed, he asks to hear joy and gladness.  

Day 422 - Ezekiel 8 & Psalm 50

 Julie

The Lord shows Ezekiel exactly why he is bringing his wrath down upon the people. I am not sure if it is visions or if he is taking him to these places so that Ezekiel can see with his own eyes the sins that the people are committing at the temple.

This says to offer God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving and you will receive the salvation of God. God is judge and jury, but this sounds like it is saying that if we are thankful to God he will be pleased.

Michelle

God shows Ezekiel what the people are doing.  The way he comes to people is always different.  Here God is even different from the previous form he took.  As I read, it seems like he was being transported to these places to see it in person.  

I think you are right.  The verse that seems to stand out most is the end that says, "Those that sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation". It seems to be telling us that we should thank and honor God in our words and actions, and that if not we will be judged, and that we should not be following the thief or adulterer.  

Day 421 - Ezekiel 6-7 & Psalm 49

 Julie

The Lord lays down his judgment for the worshipping of idols and then lays his wrath upon them. With everything going on in the world right now you have to wonder if God is doing this yet again. As we have seen book after book that people tend to stray and I know that there are lot of people in the world that have strayed or at least enough to gain the attention of God and for him to have to come in and clean things up...again. 

The title of this one is "Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?" Again, this is fitting for where we are at or heading. I know that what happened yesterday has caused even more fear in people as they are talking WWIII. This is the time for us to place all of our faith and trust in God as man makes such horrible decision when they are not following the Lord.

Michelle

Ok...so, the entire time I was reading these passages, the only thing I could think of was the movie, Pulp Fiction, when he is reciting a bible verse and at the end he says, "Then you will know that I am the Lord, as I lay my vengeance upon thee".  This was in my mind the entire time.  It seems to me that is what this reading is about.  God administering his wrath on the people.  And I have thought the same thing, that we are in a time like this now, where people are not doing as God intended and we are feeling his wrath and he is waiting for us to repent and come back to him.

There's a devotional with chapter 6 called "Renewal by Fire".  It likens the destruction of the people spoken about to burning a forest and how it is needed to renew and allow for rebirth of some seeds.  It says that discipline gets our attention and consequences alert us that something is wrong.  If God left us alone, the negativity would only continue to grow.  This is why this keeps happening throughout time it seems.  Because of our nature, we are doomed to destroy ourselves if we don't remain focused on God.  This is why it keeps happening over and over, he continues to bring us back to him over and over.  It sucks to think we are living during this time now, when peace and love for God is not prevalent.  

Good point.  Man does make terrible decisions.  There are a few verses that stand out.  Verse 13, "This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve of their sayings".  Verse 15, "But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself".  There are others too, but they are all similar to verse 13.  Speaking of how the wealthy, lacking understanding, are like beasts that perish.  I have not kept up with alot of current events, just due to the fact that my mental health can't handle it.  But I have seen blurbs about what you are speaking.  It does seem time for people to really think about what they are following.  

Day 420 - Ezekiel 4-5 & Psalm 48

 Julie

God is telling Ezekiel, I assume, the punishment that he must endure for both Jerusalem and for Israel. Maybe he is telling Ezekiel that this is what he supposed to tell the people that they must do, but it seems the he is speaking to one person and not a people. He then goes on to explain how he will destroy Jersualem. 

This talks about how great the Lord is and that they praise him. It talks about telling future generations about God's great works and that God will guide us forever. 

Michelle

That is what I was thinking as I read it too.  I then wondered if it is just a metaphor.  I can't really tell though.  I did find it interesting that God tells him how long the people have been sinning.  It's a pretty long time.  When I finished reading, I also thought that we are hearing a different person's telling of what God is going to do to the people.  We have heard some things before, and this sounds a little different but is it from the same time period or is it different.  I can't tell.  It could just be a different perspective as it's a different person telling us about it.  

This psalm does speak of praise to God and how great God is.  That last verse does stand out, "...that you may tell of them to the next generation.  For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."

Day 419 - Ezekiel 2-3 & Psalm 47

 Julie

God speaks to Ezekiel and it appears that he is telling him that he is making him a prophet and he will speak the Word of God. He warns him that if he gives him a warning for the people and they don't heed it that they will die or that if he fails to share the warning with the people that they will die.

Sing praises to God has he is  King over all the earth. 

Michelle

God does speak to Ezekiel, telling him to speak the word of God to the people of Israel.  He had him eat a scroll, which seemed weird, then reading further it seemed that was kind of a metaphor for him to speak God's word.  When God gives him the task of being a watchman and warning people of things, there is a catch to it.  If he doesn't warn them, good or bad, then he will suffer or be held accountable for what happens to them, even though they may die anyway.  At the end he says that he will make him silent until he is ready for him to speak.  

I got the same, sing praises to God as he is king of all the earth, even over all the kings of the earth.

Day 418 - Ezekiel 1 & Psalm 46

 Julie

I am a bit perplexed by this chapter. As I was reading I was thinking that they were talking about some type of idols and couldn't quite see where they were going with this. I read the explanation of the verses and they say that they were actually cherubim and the faces depicted the realm that they represented. I found this interesting because it always seems that when something like this comes up it is considered evil or wrong and this time it is not. I still do not quite understand the purpose here, but would like to try and understand this more.

God is our fortress and one of my favorite or comforting verses is in the psalm. "Be still and know that I am God." He is asking us to stop and listen to him and to take the time to be still in word.

Michelle

I too am unsure of what to think about this chapter.  There is a devotional that speaks of Wild Inspiration.  But when I read about this, I recall hearing about this creature before. These are the passages I wish had pictures as I am trying to imagine what it looks like based on the description given.  In the devotional it asks, "Why would God give this wild vision to Ezekiel?" It says it may be that it's the vision that motivates him to press on during their difficult ministries, at a time when people were unbelieving and questioning, as it's a vision he turns to throughout his life.  The focus verse is 28, "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.  This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.  When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking".

I agree with your interpretation of this psalm.  I think you are right; he is asking us to stop and listen and take the time to be still with him.   

Day 417 - Psalm 45

Michelle

This is a wedding song.  We have been watching this show centered around medieval times and this psalm sounds like what they did when they escorted the bride to the wedding of a noble or king.  I see some references to God in this psalm, but it doesn't really sound like it's about that necessarily but more about the wedding celebration and how they will be honored.   It does speak about God's throne lasting forever and at the end I can only assume he is speaking about God when he says, "I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever". 

Julie

I really like your take on this and I think that you are correct in your assertions.

Day 416 - Psalm 44

 Michelle

This psalm seems to be asking God to allow them back into his good graces.  They have been scattered and want to be returned to him.  During this time of the Old Testament, it was years and years that they were punished, into multiple generations.  I wonder if God is doing that even now.  How long have we been, or will we be, scattered among the nations, wandering the desert, looking for God's grace once more.  Not all people are seeking God and I assume that is what he wants and always has.  For his people to seek him always.  

Julie

You know it's interesting that we see people asking for God to help them, but then they tend to turn around and do the same bad things over again.

Day 415 - Lamentations 5 & Psalm 43

 Michelle

This one, again, tells of the various trials the people are going thru.  At the end it speaks of how the joy has left their hearts and dancing has turned to mourning.  They ask how long they will be forsaken before being restored to God.  And it seems they are questioning whether he will take them back at all.

It sounds like he is saying he is the only believer in an unfaithful nation.  He continues to call to God though, even though the mourning and grief regarding his situation.  He is still downcast, yet he continues to put his hope in God.

Julie

I did not see anything different than you did in this one or have anything to add. 

There is an interesting note in my Bible about Lamentations that says that they are five poems that mourn the fall of Judah and the sin that caused it. 1-4 are what they call acrostic poems which means that each one starts with a different letter of he Hebrew alphabet and are in alphabetical order. I just found that to be interesting.

He does seem to be going through that period where he is questioning why God is allowing him to go through these struggles.

Day 414 - Lamentations 4 & Psalm 42

 Michelle

Ok, so I didn't realize how behind I was until just this moment.  Looks like a few extra days to catch up completely.  But we continue on.  

This chapter seems to go back and tell us about how the people are withering into nothing and how they have nothing and have had to run from their enemies only to be caught and enslaved.  It is also warning another city or group, daughter Edom, that they will suffer the same fate.  

This psalm sounds like he is saying that he is depressed or downcast and he keeps saying why my soul are you downcast and then telling it to put his hope in God.  It seems a reminder that we all struggle with that kind of thinking, when we get down and it's hard to come out of it.  He tells himself and us, in a sense, to turn to God.  Pour out your soul to God, God is your rock, Praise God.

Julie

Me too...I actually tried to start this one yesterday and got interrupted and not able to return until now.

I kind of felt when I was reading this that God was saying you were good people who turned bad and had  you not things would have been different. And, yes, it's like it serves a warning to others. Not that they will listen...

I think you are right. I need to do this right now.

Day 413 - Lamentations 3 & Psalm 41

 Julie

This one seemed to take a different turn from what we have been reading is now praising God. This talks about how the great the faithfulness of God. It's as if this author is trying to show their trust and faithfulness in God as well regardless of what they have had to endure. Starting with verse 22 this becomes much more positive and has some powerful verses. 

No matter what has happened the Lord has been gracious to him and when those he thought close turned away from him God was still there.

Michelle

The devotional with this chapter confirms what you are saying in that it's about a fresh start and that even though God punished them, they have still been forgiven and restored.  

I keep hearing the wind and it's distracting me making me want to check the weather.  We are getting a storm right now and it makes me a bit concerned.  This psalm has me thinking that if we seek God he will be with us even thru the hard things or when our people are working against us.  If we just seek God all will be well.

Day 412 - Lamentations 2 & Psalm 40

 Julie

This sounds as if the people of the city are whining about what God did to them and for what they are going through. I am sure that I missed the point of this chapter, but it just seemed to be more complaining than anything.

The Lord delivers us from our pain and suffering through his steadfast love and faithfulness. We must be patient and trusting as well.

Michelle

I can see how you would think they are whining.  It sounds like they are telling us all the things that the people are going thru or have gone thru.  Early on in the chapter it actually says "the Lord is like an enemy" which can be disturbing to think about.  They knew this was coming or were told it was coming though.  It goes on about what God has done to them and to all he built and then come the questions.  The end says that no one escaped the Lord's anger.  

The beginning is a reminder to be patient.  "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry...blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to the false gods."  This seems to say keep our focus on God and keep your trust in God, do not be swayed by those around you and wait patiently for him.

Day 411 - Lamentations 1 & Psalm 39

 Julie

Apparently, this is describing the destruction of Jerusalem and it's interesting that what they have done is frame this as if the city is talking to God itself.  The author describes this as if the city is a woman. It's almost as if the city itself it confessing to God for the people in it.

It's as if David is looking at how he is lived his life thus far. He talks about not sinning and then about losing his way. At this point it's not that he has done anything more than speak to someone in anger, but probably said something that we shouldn't. I feel like I am doing this right now. Unfortunately, when I am hormonal I lose my patience faster and tend to say things out of anger that I would not have said otherwise.

Michelle

The preface to this book says it is a list of poems of lament in which God is grieving with his people for the destruction of Jerusalem and the hard times the people are facing.  It does sound like the writer/speaker is confessing all the sins they have committed over time and admitting to rebelling against God.  

It's hard to hold our tongues when we get angry.  But those are usually the times we really need to as we tend to say things we regret, even if we think them at other times.  When we harbor feelings for too long and then are faced with adversity or challenges, in our frustration and feeling overwhelmed we can tend to do the opposite of what we know is right.  And it's usually on impulse when we can't take it anymore.  It's those moments when we need to pray.  That in itself is a challenge.

Day 410 - Psalm 38

 Julie

It seems like David is overwhelmed and frustrated because of the way his enemies are treating him. He is asking God to not forget him and he asks for forgiveness for any sins that might have caused this to happen. He also ask God to not forsake him and be his salvation. I think that we feel this way more often than we should. We wonder why God let's bad things happen and wondering if we are having to go through these things because we have sinned in some way. While sometimes that I might be true I don't believe that is always the case.

Michelle

I agree it seems like he is overwhelmed with all the negative actions against him.  He seems in the beginning to be asking God not to bring his wrath on him.  The part that stands out to me most for some reason is, "Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God".  How powerful is that?  Even when he is feeling overwhelmed and defeated, David is telling God he knows he is working and that he must be patient and he is waiting for God to answer his prayers.  This is not always the reaction we have when we are feeling this way.  This is something to remember. 

Day 409 - Psalm 37

 Michelle

 This psalm starts of telling us not to fret about those doing evil or be envious of them because they will eventually wither and die.  It seems a psalm where David is seeing the wicked prosper and finds a bit of jealousy creeping in.  But he reminds us to turn to God when we are feeling this way.  The devotional attached says something similar.  It tells us that life is not always fair and that even though we follow the righteous path, things may still not go our way.  But it is our responsibility to stay on the path of righteousness even though things don't always go our way and gives us things to remember from this psalm while doing so.  Kind of an instruction manual for when life is hitting back at us or our enemies are turning against us.  Trust in the Lord, Do good, Dwell in the land, Take delight in the Lord, Commit your way to the Lord, Be still before the Lord. 

Julie

This psalm also had a lot of great inspirational verses in it that would remind us to continue our trust and faith in God. "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;" (v. 7), and so many others. I found this psalm to be helpful in trying to understand the current times we are living in. 

Day 408 - Jeremiah 52 & Psalm 36

 Michelle

This chapter ends Jeremiah.  It speaks of the fall of Jerusalem and where the people were taken and by whom.  At the beginning it says that Zedekiah was the grandson of Jeremiah.  This seemed surprising to me at first as I questioned why he wasn't following God as he should.  But then I think about Khristopher and how we raised him and try to guide him even now and he continually makes poor choices and that these choices are what has put him where he is today.  So really it remains all about the choices we make.  Who and what we choose to follow.  It goes into detail about what happens to the people and where they are taken.  At the end it gives a count and it is a small number to me.  I was expecting a much larger accounting of the people, but then I remembered that this was over many many years, decades even and they had been scattering for quite some time.  

The beginning of this psalm speaks of how the wicked flatter themselves too much to see their sin and how their words are deceitful.  He then goes on about how the righteousness of God is like the mountains and that's God's love is unfailing.

Julie

It's interesting the way we have been reading about history constantly repeating itself, and most of these people either never had God or turned away from God. We do have freewill to make our choices, but that doesn't mean that all of our choices are right. It does amaze me that God gives us chance after chance after chance...

He also ends by asking God to help him not to stray and become wicked.

Day 407 - Jeremiah 51 & Psalm 35

 Julie

The Lord is destroying Babylon. It seems that he is telling people to leave because there is no chance of saving and that all that are there will be destroyed for the things that they have done.

David is asking the Lord to be there and protect him, but to also protect those that see the righteousness that he has through God. Then David tells God that he will tell all of his righteousness.

Michelle

I agree.  That is what it sounds like.  Is he telling the people that so they will go back to following his commands?  Is this just a warning or is it a promise based on past behaviors?  I know he's been speaking about past behaviors, but I wonder why this comes about now.  If they change before it happens will he not do what he is speaking of?  Not sure why these questions are coming up.

It sounds like you got the gist of the Psalm.  Not sure what else to add.

Day 406 - Jeremiah 50 & Psalm 34

 Julie

The Lord explains his judgment on Babylon and all that he will do to them. 

Seek the Lord and he will answer you. Our lives will be redeemed if we take refuge in him.

Michelle

This seems a continuation of God explaining what will happen.  He likens it to the pain a woman has during child birth, which I kind of find interesting.  It is said at least 3 times in this chapter that what they will feel will be like that of a woman in childbirth.

It sounds like the Lord is saying stay away from evil actions, thoughts and words and you will be saved.

Day 405- Jeremiah 49 & Psalm 33

 Julie

God is continuing to explain the judgments on the areas and ending them all with telling them that he will restore the fortunes in latter days.

Be righteous, shout to Lord our thanks for his steadfast love of all.

Michelle

I don't know why but these passages are starting to annoy me.  He tells us that he is destroying these areas and explains how and then says but I will restore you.  Like it is ok that you continue to sin because all is forgiven.  Maybe it's this job because so far I have seen that some people just don't learn from their mistakes.  And maybe God is just trying to give second chances and third and fourth and....but at what point do they learn they need to change.  I guess these readings are different generations so they aren't necessarily the ones from before so it's not exactly the same thing.  He is trying to give the next generation the opportunity to do better.  Maybe that is it.

God looks down on us all and sees all.  His love endures forever.

Day 404 - Jeremiah 47-48 & Psalm 32

 Julie

God explains and places his judgment on the Philistines and Moab. He explains in detail what will happen to them, but then ends with saying that he will restore their fortunes.

We are blessed when our sins are forgiven and the steadfast love of the Lord surrounds those of us that trust in the Lord.

Michelle

I feel like this is a recurrence of past events as well, the part about placing judgment and then restoring them.  God give alot of grace over and over and is constantly forgiving the people.  Knowing that should bring comfort, but leaves me questioning why he continues to do this for us.  I know the bible says it's because he loves us, it just sometimes seems unbelievable.  

The psalm says the ones who are faithful will be blessed.  

Day 403 - Jeremiah 46 & Psalm 31

 Julie

God seems to be explaining how he will be disciplining them and what they are going to have to endure. He also ends by telling them not to fear as those who are faithful will be saved through this and they will be able to live on unpunished.

Today I feel like this was such a powerful psalm for me. I feel very much like David and this makes a wonderful prayer for courage and strength and remind me that God is there to protect me through the adversity that I am facing. 

Michelle

At first I didn't realize it was God explaining.  It seemed it was someone else.  I found it interesting at the end that it says that God would be punishing all the other gods people were worshipping.  

Verse 5 stands out to me.  "Into your hands I commit my spirit, deliver me, Lord, my faithful God."  

Day 402 - Jeremiah 44 - 45 & Psalm 30

 Michelle

In chapter 44 it talks about the disaster the people will endure because of the idolatry they have been practicing.  They argued with Jeremiah saying how when they gave offerings to others, they prospered and when they stopped they witnessed their downfall.  So they felt like they should reinstate these offerings.  Jeremiah tries to explain to them that God was giving them a chance, grace, in order to refocus on God.  But they don't seem to be believing him.  I think I understand this way of thinking, I know it's not right, but I understand it.  I think we see people around us doing bad things and prospering and wonder why they are being allowed to continue and prosper even though they are not following God's commands.  It makes me think this is a lesson in minding our own business, or the grass is always greener, but really it's not that as green as we think.  It's just a facade as God will bring them to reckoning when the time is right.  As with all people, he allows us to make choices and calls us back to him, but it's our choice to turn to God.  That's the whole point.  God wants us to choose him and it's a choice to believe and follow.  As it is with anything, it's a choice.  And I choose God today and everyday.  I pray I continue to make this choice.

The psalm sounds like a song of praise from David for God sparing him and lifting him up and healing him after his enemies torn him down.  He says God turned his wailing into dancing, and clothed him with joy.  I don't think we always see our circumstances this way when God brings us out of our troubles or struggles.  But we should.  We need to recognize that we made it through whatever the issues are/were and that we can give thanks and praise for what we went through and that we have been brought out the other side of it.  Giving joy and praise to God.

Julie

I understand that too, because I always wonder why those that are doing evil or wrong seem to prosper. You are right we don't see the whole picture so maybe they aren't as successful or prosperous as we think. I also pray and continue to choose God over anything else.

This kind of reminds me of something that has shown up in things I have read for the last couple of years and that is that we need to find the joy in those moments of struggle or sadness. Maybe too this is saying that it's ok to be sad, but we should not wallow in it and to remember the joy in the difficult moments and see how God has worked.

Day 401 - Jeremiah 41.16 - 43 & Psalm 29

 Michelle

Those that are left of the people have asked Jeremiah to pray to the Lord and seek guidance on what they should do and they tell him that they will follow God's instruction.  However, after he prays and finds out what they should do, he tells them and they call him a liar.  They then do the opposite of what God says.  There are so many times I can think of that people in our day have acted in this way.  We have an adult child that acts like this.  They ask advice or for direction and then do the exact opposite of what you tell them.  I can understand how God could get frustrated with this.  So I expect that these people will be destroyed as it has been told.

This psalm is describing the voice of God.  It is using nature sounds and weather events to describe God's voice.  It says the Lord gives strength to his people and blesses them with peace.  If only we felt peace more often.  But we tend to fight against God in many ways. 

Julie

Thank you for seeing more in this than I did today. Your explanation really helped me. I am really struggling in trying to stay focused as I read these chapters lately.

Boy do we tend to fight against God. I kind of feel like I have been doing that a lot lately too and I don't want to but...

Day 400 - Jeremiah 39 - 41:15 & Psalm 28

 Julie

The fall of Jerusalem is what stands out the most here. I am not sure that I understand the rest of what is going on or the significance of it.

David is asking the Lord to hear his pleas and to save him. 

 

Michelle

Jerusalem falls and Jeremiah is freed and allowed to go where he wants but is directed somewhere specific.  I am not sure the significance of this though.  It does also talk about Gedaliah being assasinated, and he is currently overseeing the people that were left, as instructed by the king I think.  The devotional with this speaks about denial and how some people ignored God's warning that he gave through Jeremiah.  It says that there is hope after this kind of judgement and that the people returned after 70 years and were old by then.  It tells us to look at our own lives and see what we are in denial about right now.  What are we thinking that God will overlook?  God will discipline us, as we have seen throughout the bible.  "More than likely, something in your life - a thought pattern, an attitude or an action - needs adjustment today so that you can stay on the path God has for you.  You have been thinking about addressing it, wondering if it  was God's voice you were hearing.  Don't stay in denial."  I found this thought provoking and it's made me look inward to figure out if there is something I am in denial about.  Although I always overthink things so need to be careful with this one.  But it's something to consider as we go through things.

It does sound like David is asking to be saved.  He does not want to end up like those with malice in their hearts and seems fearful that he is headed down that path.  He asks the Lord to hear his cry for help and to be his strength.  

Day 399 - Jeremiah 37-38 & Psalm 27

 Julie

Jeremiah seems to be enduring a lot of pain and difficulty as he is sharing the Word of God. He gets imprisoned and cast into a cistern all for warning the king of things to come.

The Lord is our light and our salvation.

 

Michelle

You are right.  Jeremiah does seem to be going through alot of hardship as he tries to share God's word with the people.  His imprisonment was a little confusing to me as far as leaving him in the courtyard and then taking him to the cistern, which sounded like he would die by sinking in the mud, which sounds terrible.  But then he is brought out and taken to the king who seems to listen to him, although he doesn't want his people to know that he is doing so and has Jeremiah tell them a bit of a story it sounds like.

The devotional with this psalm says it speaks of fearlessness.  That as we go through life and have difficulties with others, whether it be our bosses, or neighbors, or friends, we know that God is with us.  In this psalm it speaks of David retreating into the tabernacle into God's presence as he is escaping the pressure and fear from the things and people around him.  David reminds us to "wait for the Lord and be strong".  God's answers may not come when or how we expect them, but they will come nonetheless.  Just remember that we must trust in God as he will be there for us and we should find safety in God.

 

Day 398 - Jeremiah 36 & Psalm 26

 Julie

I don't really understand what the point is of the burning of the scroll. However, after it is burned God tells Jeremiah to write it again and to add that he will be destroying the king and his family for burning the Word of the Lord.

I hadn't noticed this before, but verse 2, "Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind." David actually asks God to test him, which God does do. I know that God does test us all in some way to see if we are being faithful and trusting of him, but I hadn't realized before that David had specifically asked him to. 

 

Michelle

I don't understand it either, or the way it's done.  But Jeremiah is instructed to write it again.  I just really don't understand this chapter.

That's a very good observation.  He does ask God to test him and you are right that we get tested all the time.  He also says that He has trusted the Lord and that is why he asks God to test him.  Through it all he maintained his trust in God, even through the tests. 

 

Day 397 - Jeremiah 34-35 & Psalm 25

 Julie

The Lord tells them that because they did not follow his instruction and they took back the slaves that they had set free that he would destroy them.

"All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies." If we are faithful to God he is faithful to us and he will protect and guide us through everything.

 

Michelle

This reading starts with the slaves being freed only to be retaken by the people.  And as they did not follow God's instruction to allow them freedom, he will bring upon them terrible things.  He also shares with them an example of what he expects his people to do thru showing them the Rekabite family who has kept their forefather's command of not drinking wine and they refuse it again when they are given it.  

Ok, I have a headache and can't seem to focus well, but yes I got that as well.  The other part that stood out was, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior".  He is asking God to guide him in all he does.  This is something I have been trying to do.