DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-09-09
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Jeremiah 44:21-23
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ²¹ “Do you think the Lord didn’t know that you and your fathers, your kings and princes, and all the people were burning incense to idols in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? ²² It was because he could no longer bear all the evil things you were doing that he made your land desolate, an incredible ruin, cursed, without an inhabitant, as it is today. ²³ The very reason all these terrible things have befallen you is because you have burned incense and sinned against the Lord and refused to obey him.”

OBSERVATION: What if Almighty God has looked on our world in its current state, compared it to Judah and Jerusalem, and it brought back way too many bad memories to Him? What if our current ‘plague’ is just the beginning of the destruction He has set out to hit us with? Are you ready to go with Him when you are marked absent from this world? Should He decide to bring total desolation, are you satisfied with spending eternity in the lake of fire, or have you completed your arrangements with God’s Son, so that you will joyfully join me at the throne of God? There’s lots for us to consider as we meditate further on these questions, so plan to stay with me during the whole blog today!

APPLICATION: If your teenage daughter traveling abroad had to call you from the Atlanta airport and say that her flight stopped there for 2 hours and will continue at that time, if the weather subsides, you would probably be besides yourself with worry, and you would be on the phone endlessly as you give her warning upon warning about the huge airport, getting lost, and making sure that she returns to the gate in lots of time for her next flight. As I read this Scripture today, my heart sank, because God gave us His very special Book – the Bible, that contains everything about how He created the world, and mankind in His very image, yet He dreadfully watched as mankind chose to go his own way and commit crimes against His commands, and even worse crimes against the laws of the land. Our God loves us so much that He shared with us how upset He got with our original ancestors and how it caused Him to retaliate exceedingly. So He had all this included in His Book in order to warn us that the same thing could happen to us, if we sin like our ancestors. Well guess what, it seems like the sin being committed in our cities, and in our states, and in our country as well as other countries around the world, far exceeds anything our ancestors could possibly have done. Additionally, look at the number of churches we have today, where pastors are standing several times a week to simplify what the Bible says, so that we could never claim that we didn’t know. Sorrowfully, I would imagine that our county is no different to yours, for it is estimated that less than 10% of the population attends church each week, and this was recorded prior to COVID. So basically, our people have either refused to read the Bible, or otherwise chosen to totally ignore the warnings, and they won’t attend church because they consider it antiquated. Dear friends, I’m not meaning to paint a picture of doom and gloom, but just like the mother mentioned above, I feel compelled to share the warnings with you so that you are not left behind. Obviously God is seeing how He has been rejected, and how awful His servants are being treated by so many that refuses to hear or obey the commands of God. Please don’t wait any longer to make a decision for Jesus Christ, the Bible is clear that no one knows the day or the hour, but God could decide to call His church home to glory before you ever complete reading this devotional. There are many things in the Bible where our eyes have been opened to understand what will indicate the return of Jesus for His church. Many, if not most, of these things have already been put in place. If you have not taken time to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, may I encourage you to not wait, but instead seek Him now, while He may be found. Please take time to read my Footnote below, especially the information you will find by clicking on ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternately, stop by and see a local pastor, or drop me a note, we will be overjoyed to help you with your decision!

PRAYER: Loving Savior, thank You for making a way for us, and thank You for speaking to the hearts of each one about accepting You as Lord. Lord, I’m ashamed at all that is occurring in our world today. It seems worse than anything we have every read or heard about in Bible days, or in our past history, and it seems to only be getting worse. Please Lord, use simple things like our churches, and these types of devotional, to help people see and understand the need for the Savior of the world. Please Lord, don’t give up on us yet, but I kindly ask that You melt the hearts of those who need You. Draw them close Lord, and cause them to seek Your face while You may be found. You wiped out the cities of Judah and Jerusalem, and it may take that to get the attention of some today, but I plead with You to once again speak gently to the souls of my family, friends and my readers. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!