THE PRIZE
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 39-41
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This statue of Cola Di Rienzo was erected in 1877 near Campidoglio, Italy, where he was killed. Di Rienzo was an Italian medieval politician and popular leader in the mid-14th century. As far as we know, the people of Jerusalem did not make sculptures of their most famous leaders, otherwise there would’ve been statues of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah. These men all accomplished great things, unlike the king in today’s reading who was disgraced and executed by the Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 39:18
“…For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.
Our key verse gives us the eternal perspective of God as He sees the future deliverance of His people. This should help us to realize that when we put our trust in God, regardless of present circumstances, we’ll eventually win the “Gold.”
Chapter 39 – After 18 months of siege, the Babylonians broke through Jerusalem’s walls, burned the city, captured King Zedekiah, killed his sons in front of him, blinded him and took him to Babylon in chains, never to return to Jerusalem. Such was the end of one who had repeatedly heard the Word of God but ignored it. Zedekiah brought this on himself. God had done His best through Jeremiah to warn the King (2 Kings 25:4-7).
Chapters 40 & 41 show us why Jeremiah won God’s prize for his life. The Babylonians released him from Zedekiah’s prison and offered him position, land and freedom in Babylon, but he chose to stay home and minister to those left behind in the ruins of their country, where wicked and violent men such as Ishmael were creating continued havoc. Our choices also should be to stay where we are most needed, serving the Lord faithfully.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will consistently do my very best to win the prize of life, here and now, as well as eternally. Lord, Your Word tells me that my works will be “revealed by fire.” The “wood, hay and straw” will be burned up, but the “gold, silver and precious stones” will remain (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). I’m asking for grace to “strive for the prize.” In the Name of the One Who has gone before me, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I cannot help but recall the first gathering ever of the leaders of various Christian denominations in the history of communist Russia and the former 14 additional republics of the Soviet Union. Undeservedly, I was invited to be the speaker at two nights of this conference. With the help of a Finnish ministry, we had earlier released across the Soviet Union the first ever Christian-produced TV series in the Russian language on prime time television. I had the privilege on these telecasts of interviewing leading scientists, philosophers, etc. about God’s creation. The USSR was officially atheist, and our goal was to create doubt in the minds of those who believed that God did not exist. As was the case with Jeremiah, pastors had been severely persecuted. One pastor I met had badly twisted fingers on his right hand. I asked him what happened. He said that the local authorities had broken his fingers, one at a time, to try to make him deny his faith in God, but he refused. I felt like crawling under the table at which we were sitting. I was not worthy to be in his presence, let alone be the guest preacher. I weep at the memory.
Yours for striving for the “gold” that will remain through the fire,
David
P.S. Prior to the invasion of Iraq (Chaldea/Babylon) by the American coalition of nations, billboards were everywhere which pictured the brutal dictator, Saddam Hussein, with his hero, Nebuchadnezzar.
Saddam Hussein and King Nebuchadnezzar on a billboard in Iraq. This modern would-be emperor tortured and murdered tens of thousands of his people. He allowed his sons to have “rape rooms” to which they took any woman that they wanted. This was evil personified!
Father, there is great mourning in Canada over the murder of school children and families in BC. Please comfort all the community and bring healing to the wounded. Please help this country to take this time to turn from its blindness to You, the Giver of Life, I ask in the name of Jesus.
Rob, I agree with you in prayer for this country
to turn to Jesus Christ and trust in His Almighty
Power to save them from sin, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, Amen!
Amen Rob
Following is an email I recd.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Crossroads eNewsletter
Date: February 11, 2026 at 3:06:45 PM CST
To:
Subject: Special Live Program | Praying for Tumbler Ridge – Thursday at 9am & 9pm
Reply-To: crossroads@crossroads.ca
Special Live Program | Praying for Tumbler Ridge – Thursday at 9am & 9pm
In the wake of the devastating school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, our hearts are heavy as we grieve the loss of 9 precious lives and pray for the 25 injured, some still fighting for their lives.
In moments like this, Canadians need space to grieve, to process, and to pray together.
Join us for a special live edition of
100 Huntley Street on YES TV Thursday, February 12 at 9am and 9pm ET / MT
This special program, brought to you by Crossroads, will offer pastoral care, practical guidance, and prayer for a shaken nation.
We will be joined by:
Pastor George Rowe, of Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Church, who is walking alongside his grieving community in real time.
Dennis Curley, registered psychotherapist and survivor of a school shooting in Ottawa in 1975 when he was a student, who will help us understand how to process trauma, support young people facing community violence and loss, and begin the long journey toward healing.
Crossroads’ Chief Content Officer, Melissa McEachern, shares:
“In moments like this, the Church must not retreat. We must draw near. That is at the heart of 100 Huntley Street. Our calling is to pastor the nation, to create space for grief, and to lead Canadians in prayer when words feel impossible.”
Anchored in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” this special broadcast will bring our hearts together with those who are mourning and seeking hope.
We also want you to know that Crossroads’ prayer line is open 24/7 at
1-866-273-4444 for anyone who needs prayer support during this time. If you or someone you love would like someone to listen and pray with you, we are here.
Ways to Watch:
• Live on YES TV — Thursday, February 12 at 9am and 9pm ET / MT
• Streaming live Thursday on the YES TV app
• Airing on affiliates across Canada on Friday
We invite you to join us as we stand in prayer for Tumbler Ridge and ask for the peace of Christ to cover our nation in this critical hour.
Together, we draw near in prayer.
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A difficult read today and a very difficult news report from BC. May we stand in the gap for BC especially right now, in Jesus Name. Amen