Read Jeremiah Chapter 52
Hey! Remember When….!
The last chapter of Jeremiah looks back at the fall of Jerusalem mentioned in chapter 39 when Zedekiah was King of Judah. The king rebelled against the words of the Lord. He was told if he surrendered to Babylon, God would let him live. But if he didn’t, he and his family would die. However, the king rebelled against the Lord and as a result the Babylonians captured the city of Jerusalem, killed the king’s sons, plucked out the eyes of the king and put him in jail where he died, killed many of the Jews while burning down the city. A bad decision from the king, with severe consequences.
Do you ever look back on your life? As a kid, I have amazing memories being with my cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. As a married man, I have great memories of being with my wife and kids. When our families get together we reminisce of the “good ole days.” We laugh a lot. We share story after story. What I find, is we very very rarely reminisce of the bad or negative memories. It seems the only time I think of the bad or negative memories is when I’m by myself. It’s then I feel guilty or ashamed; or disappointed if it’s something one of my loved ones did. No one has a perfect life. There are joys and there are failures with small or severe consequences.
When I think of the failures of my life, I have to remind myself not to let the devil beat me up. But instead, I strive to learn from my past mistakes so as not to go down the same path the second time. I try to learn from my mistakes so that I can become a better person for the Lord.
1 Peter 5:5-11 is a great passage. Read it!
[5] In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
