The Resistance - Day 39
Day 39: Thursday, March 23
Read Jeremiah 29:1-23
Highlight
Jeremiah is writing to the people of Judea who have been captured by Babylon. They’ve been carried off to an unknown land, separated from their families, their language, their culture. They’re lonely and afraid. And Jeremiah’s message, while hopeful, isn’t all good news. They’re going to remain there for a while. In fact, the Lord basically says, settle in because going home is not an option. Many of us have heard Jeremiah 29:11 many times before. We see it on sneakers, notebooks and tattoos, and maybe we don’t know the full context. As it turns out, it may be more fitting for us today than we even realize. The Judeans are exiles in a foreign land, and so are we.
Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Philippians:
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior (v 17-20).
For those of us who have joined the Resistance, this is not our home, we are citizens of Heaven in a foreign land. We walk in a culture that glorifies the things of this world and it is easy to feel alone. But praise the Lord, we are part of a great Kingdom that is available to us here and now and we have brothers and sisters all over the world! The Lord’s encouragement to the Judeans is also for us, do not give up, “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (v 11).
We Want To Hear From You
It's our hope that this reading plan has been an impactful part of this series for you and we are excited for future projects like it. To help us stay on course, take two minutes to tell us about your experience: TAKE THE SURVEY
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read Jeremiah 29:1-23
Highlight
Jeremiah is writing to the people of Judea who have been captured by Babylon. They’ve been carried off to an unknown land, separated from their families, their language, their culture. They’re lonely and afraid. And Jeremiah’s message, while hopeful, isn’t all good news. They’re going to remain there for a while. In fact, the Lord basically says, settle in because going home is not an option. Many of us have heard Jeremiah 29:11 many times before. We see it on sneakers, notebooks and tattoos, and maybe we don’t know the full context. As it turns out, it may be more fitting for us today than we even realize. The Judeans are exiles in a foreign land, and so are we.
Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Philippians:
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior (v 17-20).
For those of us who have joined the Resistance, this is not our home, we are citizens of Heaven in a foreign land. We walk in a culture that glorifies the things of this world and it is easy to feel alone. But praise the Lord, we are part of a great Kingdom that is available to us here and now and we have brothers and sisters all over the world! The Lord’s encouragement to the Judeans is also for us, do not give up, “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (v 11).
We Want To Hear From You
It's our hope that this reading plan has been an impactful part of this series for you and we are excited for future projects like it. To help us stay on course, take two minutes to tell us about your experience: TAKE THE SURVEY
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
- What truth does this passage communicate about God? About us? About our world?
- Has God used this passage to highlight something that is wrong in your life?
- What does this passage teach us to do? What is one practical thing you can do to apply this to your life?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in The Resistance