SEARCH!!!
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 29-30
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here is the tel Herodian. It is located just southeast of Bethlehem. Excavations have revealed Herod’s Fortress Palace. Perhaps he was in this stronghold when he ordered the slaughter of the children in Bethlehem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Our key verse is true for all people at all times, a good verse to memorize! It’s a guarantee of strength when one feels under pressure and vulnerable!
David Reynold’s photograph above speaks to the practice of empire builders of appointing puppet kings in the conquered regions. Everything was O.K. as long as the king ensured that taxes were paid to overlords (in Herod’s time, the Romans, and in Zedekiah’s time, the Babylonians).
Most of us do this blog for inspiration, but here’s some information. King Josiah, a king who did right before God, had sons who were corrupt and did evil in God’s eyes. The ones that ascended to the throne were Johannan, Shallum, Jehoiakim (his son Jeconiah), and Zedekiah (1 Chronicles 3:15). All reigned for very short periods of time. Jeconiah was taken to Babylon in the first captivity with others, including Ezekiel and Daniel. These displaced persons were treated rather well. The Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar obviously believed that Zedekiah would be content to be a puppet ruler and submit to every order from Babylon. That was not the case and when Zedekiah asserted Judah’s sovereignty, Nebuchadnezzar invaded again (11 years later) and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon. He took Zedekiah and the people as slaves to Babylon (modern-day Iraq).
Words worth noting are “diminished” and “increased” (Jeremiah 29:6b). It’s our choice.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray fervently that I will, 24/7, do as Jeremiah’s letter exhorts me… search for You with all my heart. You are not hiding! I see You clearly in the Life and Words of my Saviour and Lord, Jesus, Messiah, in Whose Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Several times I have walked to the top of Herodian (pictured above) and meditated on the life of a king who, like Zedekiah, owed his throne to a foreign emperor. King Herod was totally spooked by the possibility of rebellion of his own family members and the people of Jerusalem. He murdered family members and anyone suspected of disloyalty, but he never rebelled against Rome. He constantly pandered to Caesar and with brutality collected the tribute from the Jews, sending great amounts of money to Rome.
I must not pass up the opportunity here on today’s blog to testify to the fact that the promise of our key verse is so very true (Jeremiah 29:11-13). The week I turned 17, at the altar in the tabernacle at Lakeshore Pentecostal Youth Camp in Cobourg, Ontario, I believe that I did seek God with all my heart. He found me, and I found Him in such a life-changing new direction that I’ve never been the same! He gave me a “FUTURE” such as I could have never imagined, and a “HOPE” which has been a constant throughout 62 years since that pivotal moment!
Yours for our “search” for God with the help of daily Scripture readings, daily prayer and this daily blog!!!
David
On top of Herodian recording a Christmas Special, November 2013. Bethlehem is in the distance behind me.
This is a model of Herod’s fortress palace. Herod’s fears were not of the Roman overlords, but of his own people.
Wonderful history lesson, prayer, and inspired by David’s message and photo atop Herodian. Yes Lord, Your plans for us are certain. They are to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. We will call on You and pray to You, and You will listen to us. We will seek You and find You when we seek You with all our heart, Lord. Amen. Praying for fellow beautiful saints, today, with blessings from the heart, and giving thanks to God for this wonderful blog.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV
You Said by Robin Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p53tfgXngCU
Well said,Beverlee.Thank you.The key words are “with all your heart.” !
yes well said Beverley
Dear Lord God, thank You for speaking to those before us, and thank You for speaking to us today. Please help us to listen and obey You. Please soften all leaders’ hearts and give them Godly wisdom, so they will do the things needed for their people. That goes for each one of us in whatever roles of influence You have entrusted us with. Please help us to be faithful to You, Lord, we ask in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen!
Amen,Rob.He desires obedience,not sacrifice.
Amen
Amen…a precious prayer!!!!!
AMEN! Rob
“Imagine this for breakfast: grilled sausage, cheese, bacon, eggs, more cheese, and more bacon, all covered in swiss cheese sauce. Wendy’s calls it the “Breakfast Baconator.” It’s 770 calories in a bun.
Your physical breakfast, whether you risk the Baconator or something less caloric, will stay with you for a few hours.
Time spent with your Lord will change your life forever.” Dr. Jim Denison
https://youtu.be/76GUR-OEw8Y Nearer my God to Thee
I love all the old hymns. Have a blessed day precious souls:-)!
😁
Breakfast Baconator! 😁
Amen
Amen Lynda D
Amen.
Amen Linda D. Brought a smile to my face😀.
Thanks again for a wonderful encouragement and prayer , I prayed with you in repentance, and am so encouraged to carry on again after meeting in his presence , I began my walk or sometimes it was more of a stumble , in 1961 at age 21 after a Billy Graham Crusade, I was taught about the Savior and often fought guilt ,but I so wanted to “try” the world first! But our Lord is Faithful and so patient ,and so many things more. I was often convicted by a Catechism verse we were taught as children where it list who is God , that He is the only God ,forever ,unchanging almighty, Holy , righteous, and many more!! Lord bless those handsome young men for His Service is my prayer,
thank you Reynold for the pictures; the one of Herod’s palace is spectacular:
I did hear David’s Christmas story, and enjoyed it,
Prayed David’s prayer.
Jeremiah stood firm in prophesying[ the Word he received from the Lord, even though the people did not receive it.