Jeremiah
July 23
Jeremiah 38:5-13
Things get messy
Jeremiah told those who were still in Jerusalem that they would not be killed in battle or die of starvation if they surrendered to the Babylonians. But when the leaders heard Jeremiah’s message, they went to tell King Zedekiah and asked that he be killed.
The king answered, “Do whatever you want to do with him.” So the men took Jeremiah and threw him into a deep, muddy pit, thinking that he would soon die.
However, when two of the men working in the palace heard what the others had done, they went and told the king, who ordered them to go pull Jeremiah out.
The men went to the storeroom where they got old clothes for Jeremiah to put under his armpits. Then they let down a rope and pulled him out.
Can people change God’s plan for my life?
Nothing and no one can take you out of God’s will or change His plan for your life! God already knew about every part of your life before you were born. He has a wonderful and perfect plan worked out for you.
There were three kinds of people who changed things for Jeremiah: those who were against Jeremiah because of his message; the king who didn’t really care what happened to Jeremiah; and Jeremiah’s friends who risked their lives to help him by speaking to the king.
When Jesus was on earth, there were people who wanted to crucify Him; there was Pilot the governor who didn’t want to get involved; and then there were the disciples who were friends of Jesus. God allowed people to bring trouble and change in the lives of Jeremiah and Jesus; and through people, His will was done—just as Jesus prayed that it would (Luke 22:42).
Verse for today
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me…no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
