DATE POSTED
Saturday, March 8, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible or click Jeremiah 15 to read it in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Some religions are so confident that we serve a loving and kind God, that they struggle to believe that He would discipline His children or refuse them into His Heaven. The Bible demonstrated over and over again how the God we know, love and serve is a loving and forgiving God. But for the student of God’s Word, interested in reading and understanding all the attributes of God, it becomes evident that love often requires discipline in order to change the sinful hearts of mankind. I would encourage each reader of this devotional to click on the Scripture reference above and read this short chapter of 21 verses. Like me, I believe your eyes will be opened to the just and fair hand of God as He deals with His people. We can see how Jeremiah was challenged to the extent that he questioned in vs 19 what might happen to him, Gods chosen vessel. Please allow me to point out a few verses where the Holy Spirit really got my undivided attention:
—> Vs 1: In response to the pleading of Jeremiah, God responded that even if Moses and Samuel came before Him, He would not change His mind about the harm that would come to the Israelites that sinned against Him. Don’t we frequently practice calling in the pastor, or the bishop or someone we honor in Christian leadership to call on God on our behalf because, we feel, He has refused to answer our prayers? So often we forget that ‘no’ is just as much of an answer as ‘yes’! After all, why ask God, if you have the expected answer already? Friends, the God who created heaven and earth, you and me, and holds this earth together, He knows what’s going on, and what will happen, so He knows the right answer for the right time, and He will not lead us astray.
—> Vs 2-3: I found it interesting that nothing was mentioned of the saved in the bunch of disobedient folks that God was dealing with! I was so impressed with what one commentator offered on this: (Courson’s Application Commentary (3 Vols.)) It’s important for us to understand that sometimes the Lord has to take us through hard times. We think it’s oh, so cruel, but in reality, it’s loving because He’s freeing us from certain tendencies, habits, and problems to which we’re in bondage. The Lord deals with us, chastens us, and breaks us that He might ultimately free us, bless us, and build us.
—> Vs 6-7: God is tired of giving us another chance. In these verses God chose to destroy His own people because they continued in sin after being warned repeatedly by Him. Don’t forget to recheck your opinion about our God being a ‘Just’ God. Remember, that works for the good, and also for the bad. In the New Testament we are reminded to not grieve the Holy Spirit by continuing to sin. Also, that God’s Spirit will not always thrive in us if we continue to ignore His Sprit. God is totally opposed to sin, for He has never sinned. If we strive to follow in the steps of our Master, then we also will seek His guidance to avoid sin.
—> Vs 15-19: In vs 15 Jeremiah applies this whole Scripture to himself, just like we do today when the Word of God is taught, preached and studied. The challenge that God gives to Jeremiah in vs 19 is something that I believe we should strive to live out daily, with the help of Almighty God. If we return to God, He will restore us so that we can continue to serve and represent Him before sinners. If we speak good words rather than worthless ones, we will be His spokesman. We must influence them and not let them influence us! All this is possible if we make it our priority to please God, and if we submit to His power, guidance and ultimate direction in this life here on earth. The ways of this world are totally opposite and different to God’s ways, so it will take His awesome power to redirect us and show us the way, the truth and the life – eternal life. With God, all things are possible.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for your love and for being fair in everything You do. We love the times that You bless us with good news, good things, and hope for an awesome future with You and the Father in heaven. But we consider it challenging when, out of total love for us, You work on our attitudes, our bad choices and our desires to please those in this world, rather than in total obedience and commitment to You. Please help us today to stop and meditate on Your words, and the deep concern shown through Your teachings. Without correction or challenge, we might question whether You love us. So Lord, please help us to listen closely to Your voice, Your correction, and Your teachings so that we can follow in Your footsteps, for Your people need to hear from You, not from sinful folk like us. May we recommit ourselves to following You and living like You Lord. May You be glorified in everything we do and say. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!