August 19 (Daily reading: 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36) The final days of the kingdom of Judah were dark days, as king after king did evil in the eyes of the Lord. As the events of war and politics took place between Judah and Babylon, and as King Nebuchadnezzar disposed of three kings of Judah, God was revealing to the prophet Jeremiah all that would happen. The prophet’s role was more important to society than the role of the kings of Babylon and Judah. In fact, we read that Zedekiah committed a very serious mistake concerning Jeremiah: “He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD” (2 Ch. 36:12).
Governments today tend to overlook the role of those who speak for God. But God has not changed. He is involved in all that is taking place in our world. He sees America as we sink into godlessness: “The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made” (Ps. 9:15). We as individuals cannot speak for governments, but we can speak for ourselves. We must be sure of our position before God and recognize Him as the One who will have the final say in everything. Jesus is the King of kings! John said he saw “a great white throne and Him who sat upon it.” John “heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them’” (Rev. 20:11; 21:3).
Jeremiah suffered greatly as God’s spokesperson, but at the end of it all, he was still standing! May we also be faithful to stand for truth, clearly speaking the word of God. May we be like “Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD!”
– Al Gary
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