Devotion 6.24.26

Jeremiah 28

"5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, 6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. 7 Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

It's an interesting thing to take all the readings for the week, read through them and then reflect on this question: What is a theme you hear as you read through all of them?

Yesterday (Psalm 119:53 - 60) and today, we hear burden (affliction) and delivery. Jeremiah, responding to Hananiah's prophecy of delivery from Babylon's occupation, is hitting the pause button on the hoped, desired, and prayerful request of that prophecy. His response is simple: We shall see.

See what? See what is in our future according to God. See if the prophet bringing ultimate peace is truly the deliverer by the peace being present in our lives. This prophet will be where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. As a local construction firm likes to say in their ads, "The proof is in the puddin'." In this case, Jeremiah is saying it will be in the puddin'.

Our hopes and desires for a better world can at times be sincere, and sometimes it is driven by weariness from constant struggle. Sadly, earthly struggles didn't disappear when that "prophet," Jesus Christ, true God and true man, came. His peace is found in our salvation; the only true peace we find is in eternity and knowing that now while on earth.

Pray with me; Gracious God, Help me to know the true joy and peace through your Word, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.