Mid-week Devotional:
Week of April 28, 2025
Scripture for this week’s Mid-week Devotional comes from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 42:18-22.
Hear the word of God.
“‘18 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Just as my anger and my wrath were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so my wrath will be poured out on you when you go to Egypt. You shall become an object of excretion and horror, of cursing and ridicule. You shall see this place no more. 19 The LORD has said to you, O remnant of Judah, Do not go to Egypt. Be well aware that I have warned you today 20 that you have made a fatal mistake. For you yourselves sent me to the LORD your God saying, ‘Pray for us to the LORD our God, and whatever the LORD our God says, tell us and we will do it.’ 21 So I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God in anything that he sent me to tell you. 22 Be well aware, then, that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go and settle.’”
This is God’s Word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
The prophet Jeremiah told the people of Judah what God’s response would be if they chose to turn away from God’s direction to remain where they were. If they leave Babylon and return to Egypt they will “be cursed and ridiculed” (v. 18). If they leave, they will only suffer loss.
The people of Judah were not receptive. They were so wrapped up in their decision that they did not truly listen to Jeremiah’s words of wisdom. They were so focused on what they had chosen in their minds to be the best choice that their hearts and souls were closed to God’s presence.
I can identify with the response of the people of Judah being not receptive to God’s presence.
One day this week I found myself sitting in our golf cart in the driveway of a neighbor. Our neighbor was not home so I was there to open the gate for a man who was coming to do some outside work. I kept looking down the road hoping to see the man’s vehicle.
As I waited, I thought about all the items on my “to-do list” for the week and the day’s forecast of heavy rain and the possibility of a tornado. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that worry never helps.
It was then that I heard the birds singing all around me.
It was then that I heard the rustling of the leaves in the trees.
I had been so wrapped up in my thoughts that I hadn’t heard the presence of life around me.
I had been so focused on me, me, me that I wasn’t in tune to the world God had created surrounding me.
I wasn’t open and receptive to God’s presence.
I was like the people of Judah written in the book of Jeremiah.
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that my heart and mind were closed to God’s presence and God’s direction.
My experience at my neighbor’s gate reminded me that the focus of my daily life is to be receptive to God’s presence and God’s voice wherever I may be.
I do not plan ahead what scripture will be within each Mid-week Devotional. God led me to this week’s scripture from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 42 after this week’s experience.
In the days ahead it is my prayer that you take time each day to stop, to take a deep breath, and feel God’s loving presence wrapped around you.
It is my prayer that you listen for God’s loving voice filled with grace and guidance for the day before you.
I will be praying for you.
Peace be with you.
AMEN.