October 22- Time's Up!

October 22, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18;
Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18

Well, you can't say that they weren't warned...  Today, Jeremiah's prophecies come true.  As the reading begins, the Babylonian troops return to Jerusalem and break through the walls. As the Babylonian army sits in triumph, King Zedekiah and his royal guard flee the city at night.  What a coward!  The Babylonians chase Zedekiah and capture him.  When he is brought before King Nebuchadnezzar judgment is pronounced upon him and he is forced to watch all of his sons killed, along with all of the nobles of his land. Zedekiah's eyes are gouged out and he is bound in chains and led away to exile in Babylon.  All that Jeremiah prophesied came true.

Meanwhile, King Nebuchadnezzar is aware of Jeremiah and wants him protected.  He is allowed to live wherever he would like.  Jeremiah chooses to stay in Jerusalem with the other poor people who are left to work the land. Jeremiah stays with the newly appointed governor of the land named Gedaliah.  Life is never easy and we learn that this new governor has enemies in a group of Judean guerrillas.  He is eventually assassinated by the lead guerrilla named Ishmael. This causes a group of the remnant who stayed in Jerusalem to want to escape to Egypt.

Today's passage confirms that God is true to His Word.  He controls history and uses all things to work for His good purposes.  Do you see His hand in your life?  Do you trust that He is involved in the details of your existence?

2 Timothy 1:1-18

Today we begin Paul's final letter written prior to his death by beheading in Rome in the year 68 A.D.  It is a letter tinged with sadness.  Many references are made to the people who were part of Paul's ministry on earth. Advice is given to his spiritual son, Timothy, with emphasis being put on proving himself to be a workman approved by God.

Paul expresses his love for Timothy and his desire to see him again.  There is complete trust in Timothy's faith in the Lord and his heritage of faith passed on from his mother and grandmother.  What a beautiful example of how important a mother can be in the life of an individual. Paul encourages Timothy to never be ashamed to tell others about the Lord.  He also ask that he not be ashamed of his association with Paul, who is facing death. Paul even asks Timothy to be willing to suffer with him for the Good News.

Paul explains that it was God's plan from long ago to send Christ as the Redeemer who would provide everlasting life and redemption.  This is the Good News for which Paul is in prison. Paul states that he knows the One that he trusts, and he is sure that that One is able to guard what he has entrusted to him, namely, his soul.

The Holy Spirit has been entrusted to Timothy and Paul encourages Timothy to be trustworthy with the Holy Spirit by living a godly life. Paul mentions that some of the Asian Christians have deserted him, but Onesiphorus and his family have visited him and encouraged him. Paul hopes that God will reward them when He returns to earth. 

What will God reward you for when He returns to rule on this earth?

Psalm 90:1-91:16

Moses is wise in asking the Lord to teach us to number our days, so we may develop hearts of wisdom.  This is my prayer.

Proverbs 26:1-2

Fools don't receive honor from the Lord.

What did you notice as you read today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton