Psalm 56:3

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 56:3 

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” – Psalm 56:3   

This psalm of David addresses a time when Israel was at war with the Philistines.  As this conflict was going on, things must have been becoming more difficult.  He starts by calling out to God for assistance.  “Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me. My foes have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me.”  Psalm 56:1-2.  David and his soldiers were fighting an army that was large, much larger it appears than Israel’s.  The idea put forth here was that people came at them from everywhere with open mouths.  There were so many that there was no break in the action.  Whenever they were able to address one group, another came right after.   David felt as though they were pressing hard upon him and there seemed no protection or security was to be found.  It looks like David, during this battle, feared for his life.

However, in our focus verse, He declares a truth that we all truly need to understand and remember during our own difficult times.  “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3.  Like us, David experienced times where he was afraid.  He did not try to hide it but was honest and expressed it openly to God.  And who better to trust in times where fear has grasped us?  Who else knows everything that will happen before it does?  Who else is all powerful and can defeat any foe that can come against us, including Satan himself?  Who else knows our every need and is able to meet these abundantly?  He declared the following in an earlier chapter that fits with this idea.  “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:2-3.  David was afraid on multiple occasions.  But he also trusted completely in Him to bring Him through safely.  “In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”  Psalm 56:4

This is the secret to peace in the midst of storms.  There are so many things in this world that can make this life miserable, especially in this time what with all the uncertainty that abounds.  However, what we must always understand is that uncertainty affects only us.  There is never any uncertainty with God.  He knows the end from the beginning.  There is no time where something happens to us and God is surprised.  In fact, there is nothing we can do either that will surprise Him.  Therefore, along with the truth that He is all powerful, we can place all our trust in Him that He is always in control.  Give Him everything and leave it there.  Do not take it back. 

And in conclusion, in these things that trouble us, when we give it to God, we must not think about them.  We do what we can and then live our lives trusting and depending completely on God.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Job 19:25

Verse of the Day Devotion: Job 19:25 

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” –  Job 19:25   

In the beginning of the Book of Job, he basically loses all he had because of Satan, who takes them away from him in testing God.  Job was a very prosperous man and had much property and many in his family.  However, Satan takes away everything he has and then kills all his children.  Soon after this, Satan attacks Job and covers his body with sore boils, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.  And because of this, he was using a piece of pottery to scrape himself while sitting among the ashes. Not a pleasant experience.

And to make matters worse, three friends come by to sit with him.  Their names were Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.  There was a serious back and forth between Job and his three friends.  Each time one of his friends spoke, Job would respond.  And it seems each series of talks became more and more negative.  In chapter 19, Job is responding to the comments of Bildad found in the previous chapter.  Bildad seemed offended by the words of Job.  Some of Bildad’s words are, “How long will you hunt for words? Show understanding and then we can talk. Why are we regarded as beasts, As stupid in your eyes?” Job 18:2-3.  And, “The light in his tent is darkened, And his lamp goes out above him. His vigorous stride is shortened, And his own scheme brings him down. For he is thrown into the net by his own feet, And he steps on the webbing.” Job 18:6-8.  These three friends believed his trials were on account of his sins and that God was punishing him. 

Job then responds to his friends, particularly Bildad, with strong words of his own.  “How long will you torment me And crush me with words? These ten times you have insulted me; You are not ashamed to wrong me. Even if I have truly erred, My error lodges with me.  Know then that God has wronged me And has closed His net around me.” Job 19:2-6.  He hits back on Bildad, but then at the end, he says even if I have erred, it is God who has wronged me.  He then goes on to say God has stripped him of any honor he had, and He is breaking him down and has uprooted his hope.  He goes as far as stating, “He has also kindled His anger against me And considered me as His enemy.” Job 19:11.

Next, he asks his friends to feel bad for him.  “Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me. Why do you persecute me as God does, And are not satisfied with my flesh?” Job 19:21-22.  He feels he has been wronged and accused of hypocrisy.  He was letting out what he was feeling, however, his words were taken as something evil.  He then wishes his words were written to show others that he was struggling and was not as his friends portrayed him.  He was not being hypocritical but was expressing his thoughts and feelings. 

Job then abruptly breaks away from his previous sentiments.  He now settles back and says in our focus verse, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25.  He is essentially telling his friends that you may think I acted improperly, accusing me of being utterly wrong and hypocritical.  However, I know my redeemer lives.  The word redeemer is translated from the Hebrew word go’el, which refers to the kindred redeemer.  He believed that no matter how difficult things could be, He would redeem Him in the end.  This could be a prophetic word referring to Christ, but it could also refer to his current life.  He was confident in that, and he was to wait patiently for Him.

I want to encourage us to always remember as well that our Redeemer lives.  The one who died for us to pay the penalty for our sins and will come back to take us home.  We all go through difficult times, and with the enemy coming for us, we will continue to experience hard times.  But in the midst, we must always remember that our redeemer lives.  If we find ourselves being accused by people as being sinful and that is the reason for our trials, remember we know what we actually believe and that our redeemer lives. Therefore, do not focus on the problems and trials,  but focus on God, our redeemer and friend.  He will always bring us through and never leave or forsake us.  This is the best way to look at these situations for He will bring us through, both now and for eternity.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Psalm 119:9

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 119:9 

“How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.” – Psalm 119:9    

I want to first state that this is intended for all young men, basically any man who is still alive.  It should be applied to all men because we all can take the wisdom written here and put it into practice.  I would also go as far as state it should be applied by all people, either male of female.  The rhetorical question being asked is essentially, how can we keep ourselves pure before God? 

Lets look at this from the beginning of the chapter.  He starts out by declaring the following.  “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119:1  Being pure and blameless is a good thing, it is what God desires of us.  He wants us to obey and follow His laws.  Not just for the law’s sake, but to please God.  We are to walk blameless and in obedience to Him.  And not only observe and keep His commandments, but also seek Him with our whole heart.  Not just to do things because we are commanded to, but because we love Him and desire to do what He commands.  We are to do no unrighteousness but walk in His ways.  (Psalm 119:3). 

But how can we do this?  As our focus verse states, how can we keep our ways pure?  He has a truly short answer for us.  “By keeping it according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9b.  We must know His Word before we can keep it, therefore, we must take the time to study His word, read His scriptures and put them into practice.  This is well exemplified in the following, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11.  We must take God’s word and treasure it in our hearts and minds so that we can not only learn what we should do, but also what we should not.  And as Adam Clarke so clearly put it, “If God’s word be only in his Bible, and not also in his heart, he may soon and easily be surprised into his besetting sin.”

The world we live in is going quickly downhill regarding what it finds acceptable and good.  And there is no question that much that the world embraces is sinful and displeases the Lord.  Temptation abounds everywhere.  We must study His word regularly in order to learn what is good and what is not.  Satan will bring our way thoughts and desires that are not good.  And we may not even realize that something we do or desire is sinful.  This is why it is imperative that we dive into His word, read it, study it, and place it deep into our being and treasure it with all our heart.  Then, when we are tempted, we will know that it is wrong and it must be denied.  And if we apply these words of wisdom, “Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:6-7.

Note:  If you would like to receive these devotions by email, go on our website under Additional Resources and click on True Devotion Ministries email subscription and fill out the form and send to us. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Psalm 119:50

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 119:50 

“This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.” – Psalm 119:50 

This verse is found in the longest chapter in all of scripture, Psalm 119.  First, lets look at verse 49 which precedes our focus verse.  “Zayin. Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope.” Psalm 119:49  The writer of this chapter is using the language of prayer.  In this verse, he is telling the Lord that through the words God has given to him, he has derived hope in the midst of his afflictions.  And through this hope, as our focus verse says, he has comfort that all things will work out.  And all this is a result of the words the Lord has given us.

So, which words is the writer speaking of.  In essence, all that God has given us.   Lets look at a few of the verse in 119.  “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11.  “Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.” Psalm 119:24.   And, “I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32.  Many verses in Psalm 119 speak of the goodness of His words, commands, precepts, and ordinances.  Therefore, when he says, ‘your word has revived me’, he is speaking of all the words God has given us, His Holy Scriptures.

Paul, in writing to the Church in Rome said, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4.  Note the similarity of the final lines of the two verses.  “Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope.” and “and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  In both verses, it is the word(s) of God that the writers say give hope to those who read and follow them.  However, is it only the reading of the word that does it?  No!  There is another aspect of it the finalizes the idea.  The words must be believed.  You can read scripture all day, but if you do not have faith that it is truth, it will be of no value. 

We read earlier in Romans, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” Romans 10:14-15.  Paul starts out by asking how will the unsaved hear the truth that God proclaimed?  By people being sent to declare the truth.  He then sums up his argument by saying, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.  And through this faith, hope enters the hearts of people. 

Our hope, as Christians, come from God.  And He has communicated to us the hope we have.  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.“ Hebrews 11:1.  We have hope because God communicated to us.  Faith is the assurance that what He has told us is true and trustworthy, even if we do not see it now.  And in all this, we can be comforted because these words bring life to us, life everlasting.  Just as our focus verse says, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your word has revived me. Psalm 119:43. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Isaiah 1:18

Verse of the Day Devotion: Isaiah 1:18 

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18

This verse is part of a vision God had given to Isaiah.  “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” Isaiah 1:1.  God is revealing to Isaiah the wickedness and ultimately what He wants of Judah.  He starts off by saying Judah does not know Him.  “An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:3.  After all the time He spent with them, they still do not understand.  They had become a sinful nation and had abandoned Him (v4).  They were a rebellious people.  However, there was a remnant.  “Unless the LORD of hosts Had left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.” Isaiah 1:9.  In other words, God’s grace toward Israel, and specifically Judah, prevented Him from destroying all of Judah as He did Sodom and Gomorrah.  Paul in his letter to the Roman addresses this issue to the Jews in His time.  “And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,” Romans 9:27.  And again, “And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.” Romans 9:29.  Then, in the verse 10 the prophet intonates that spiritually they were as Sodom and Gomorrah.  “Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!” Isaiah 1:10

He then proceeds to rebuke them regarding their sacrifices, offerings and their keeping of the feasts.  He no longer delights in them because they are vain and mean nothing.  They have become nothing but rituals and habits.  He tells them to no longer bring them to Him.  But then goes further regarding prayer.  “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.” Isaiah 1:15. 

After stating what He does not want, God tells Isaiah to declare to Judah what He does want.  “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,” Isaiah 1:16.  First He tells them to wash themselves, clean their hands and hearts.  Cease doing evil.  Next He tells them to do good.  “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17.  These are probably some of the good they were neglecting. 

After pointing out wrongs they did, and the good they did not do, He offers grace to them in our focus verse.  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18.  God tells them if they will cleanse themselves, remove and cease doing evil, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the orphans and protect the widows in their midst, then He will, by grace, remove the stain of sin from them. They will be clean as God desires.  However, they must be obedient to Him. For obedience shows their hearts.   “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”  Isaiah 1:19-20.

Israel believed that by following the Law, giving the offerings, and doing the rituals, they were pleasing God.  However, this was not the case.  Here is what Micah declared to Israel.  “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:6-8.  Just giving offerings and performing sacrifices and whatever we wrongly believe pleases Him is not enough.  We are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.  In these things He is pleased.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Psalm 77:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 77:14 

“You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.” – Psalm 77:14

This is a great verse.  Our God, the one and only true God, has done amazing things, or as the writer said, worked wonders.  What are some of these things?  Well, first, He created everything.  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.  Also, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16. And finally, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone, Isaiah 44:24.  Before God created the heavens and the earth, there was only the eternal realm where God was and is.  What is more wonderful then creating something from nothing. 

Also, He created us, man, not by speaking us into existence, but by forming us.  “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7.  So, after created where we would live, He then created us, forming us from the dust of His creation. 

Now creation of everything is an incredible feat in itself.  No one other than God could have done this, and when we look at creation, seeing the wonders of the heavens, all the stars and galaxies in the sky, and the amazing objects from which all is created, such as cells, atoms and incredible energy that exists in both living creatures and objects we view, are amazing in themselves, and they work together in amazing unity. 

However, we also see that every act of God is beyond understanding.  Whether in creation as described above, but also in His interaction with all of mankind.  He knows absolutely everything that has happened, is happening and will happen.  He works in the earth for His purpose, which includes the good of His people.  Look at all the ways He has intervened in history.  He delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt, fed them in the desert with Manna which He provided to them, delivered Daniel from the Lion’s Den, and Israel from both Assyria and Babylon.  And He loves us so much, He provided a way of salvation by sending His only begotten Son to die in our place so we can live forever with Him. 

When I look at everything in the heavens, earth, history, His provision for us, the way everything works together so that we, mankind, can live here on the earth, I am in awe.  None of this could be by accident.  Every day, hour, minute, second and moment is known by our amazing creator.  And He guides those who commit themselves to Him, and when this era is over, we shall live with Him, in a new and perfect heaven and earth, which He will create after all things are done. 

I cannot lay out everything that shows His incredible power, glory and strength.  But, the more I think about these things, the more I am humbled and thankful for all God does.  I encourage everyone to think about these things, giving thanks to Him for His infinite actions, infinite knowledge, and infinite love.  Read the entire chapter of Psalm 77 and again ponder all that He has done and continues to do for you and those you know and love.  When I have done it, He has revealed amazing things to me.  I believe He will do the same for every one of you.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Psalm 37:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 37:7 

“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” – Psalm 37:7 

This verse comes from a psalm of David.  In verse 1 we see the following.  “Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.” Psalm 37:1.  The Hebrew word translated ‘FRET’ can be defined as a burning anger, displeasure, grief or jealousy.  Therefore the idea of verse one is do not be angry or jealous because of evil doers.  The writer of Proverbs has the same basic words in chapter 24.  “Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked.” Proverbs 24:19.  This general idea is important because if we fret over an evildoer’s success, what good will it do us?  In a word, nothing. It will only cause us to stress out and focus on them rather than God.  And we may ask the question why him and not me?  God has His plans and they are good.  Therefore, do we trust Him in this or not?  That should be the question we ask.

So how does God say we should respond to this situation?  Our focus verse gives us this answer.  “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7.  We are to sit back and be patient.   The Hebrew word translated ‘REST’ means to be mute , silent, and still.  The idea behind the phrase “Rest in the Lord” is to be silent to Jehovah.  Another way to put it is, be silent and leave the whole matter with God without being anxious as to the result.

A great example of this is Daniel.  If you remember, King Darius was tricked into signing a statute “that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den.” Daniel 6:7b.  Now notice verse 10.  “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Daniel 6:10. Daniel was going to pray to God no matter what.  The commissioners, those who convinced Darius to sign the edict, found him praying and forced Darius to be thrown in the lion’s den.  The next day. Darius goes near the Den and finds Daniel alive and well.  Daniel then explains how. “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Daniel 6:22. 

Daniel knew they had evil motives against him, but he proceeded as he normally would, in peace.  And in situations as these we should as well.  Anytime we see evil people succeeding where we are not but wish we were, we need to trust God and faithfully await the day when this ends.  For though they appear to succeed now, it will not always be so.  “For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” Psalm 37:9-11.  We need to trust God knowing that those who remail evildoers will one day be no more, and we who trust God shall inherit the land and have abundant prosperity.  We shall have eternal joy and peace,  they will not.  Trust God that all will be better.  Remember, it is better to have temporary pain and eternal prosperity, then to have temporary prosperity and eternal pain.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Proverbs 16:24

Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 16:24 

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24    

Have you ever gone through tough times?  I can assure you I have.  I can recall many instances in my life where things have not gone in any way like I wanted.  It can be brutal.  I can remember a time which particularly changed me.  I started attending a new church in Homestead, Florida.  The message that Wednesday evening caused me to go through much reflection of my past.  After church was dismissed I was just sitting there with my head down praying.  After a period of time, a man and his wife came up to me and asked if everything was OK.  I was honest and told them I was going through a difficult time.  I was at the time an extreme introvert which made it difficult for me to open up.  I also had trouble with making new friends because of how my parents raise me.

I was unsure how this would go, but they did not rush me at all while we sat and talked.  They were extremely kind and spent much time with me.  They listened and then helped me to work through my issues.  Then, after they prayed for me, they invited me to their home that weekend for a time of fellowship with them and other people from the church.  I did go and made several new friends that helped me going forward to move beyond my childhood and on to a new way of life.

And this blessing happened because they took the time to just be with me, encouraging me to open up and understand they wanted to be my friends.  These people at The Rock Church of Homestead did more for me than anyone else had up to this point.  I made so many friends on the base who also attended the Rock Church. There were others as well who opened their homes to me and said I was welcome there any time.  The couple eventually offered me a room to stay at once I left the Air Force.

This was made possible by God who brought us all together through their kind and loving words which brought a wonderful change in my life.  This shows the impact kindness can have on someone.  As our focus  verse says, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24.  Their words and actions did much to heal my spirit from the harshness I grew up with as a child.  Their words were so sweet and did much to heal the sores in my heart.  We ended up parting ways after I got married and moved away.  But I will never forget all the wonderful people I met for the love they showed me and the healing I am sure they had no idea they were a part of.

This was a difficult devotion to write, however, I want to encourage us all to speak kind and pleasant words to everyone God brings our way.  We do not know what many people have endured and/or are currently going through.  They may exhibit anger and hurt because of things inside them, or they hide their feelings so we cannot see the hurt. This is why we need to always speak kind and loving words and refrain from angry and negative speech.  As we also read in proverbs, “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” Proverbs 18:4. Let us strive for all our words to be as bubbling brooks and sweet honey which brings healing to the hearts and bones of all we meet.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Jeremiah 29:11

Verse of the Day Devotion: Jeremiah 29:11 

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 

Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, conquered Israel and took many of the Jews captive, taking them back with Him to exile.  After a time. there were several letters sent back and forth between Jeremiah and the Jews in Babylon recorded here in Jeremiah 29.  This verse falls within the first letter Jeremiah wrote to the exiles.  Let us look at the words God gave to Jeremiah for the Jews in Babylon.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,”  Jeremiah 29:4.  This is a remarkably interesting passage, for it declares that God SENT the Jews into exile.  The exile was God’s doing, not Nebuchadnezzar’s, done for reason’s not yet known to Israel at the time.  After revealing this fact, the letter goes on to encourage them to make the most of their situation.  “Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” Jeremiah 29:5-7.  He tells them to settle in, build houses to inhabit and plant gardens for food.  This makes it clear this will not be a short exile.  However, while they are there, they are to do what is necessary to take care of themselves.  This is a culture that does not follow the ways of the Jews; therefore they are encouraged to do what they can to follow the statues give them.  He also tells them to marry and have children so that their population does not decrease. However, they were to marry within their own people and not to intermarry with heathens.  This becomes clear on their return to Israel.  And they are to seek the welfare of Babylon, praying for them. 

He then warns the people of false prophets in exile with them, for they prophesy against what the Lord has actually said.  “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,‘ declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 29:8-9.

So why does God tell His people all this?  As encouragement.  “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10.  They will be there seventy years, and then they will go back to their own land.  And then, our focus verse. “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. God has an amazing plan for them.  Not one regarding the end of Israel, but on the contrary, one that will give them a future and something to look forward to.  A future not as the false prophets declare in pretending they know what is the will of God, but a declaration of a true truth. 

There is much to be taken from this verse.  However, this same thing can be said of us.  He has a plan for us as well.  One that is for our good and not for harm.  We may go through tough times; persecution, pain, and humility, but God has a plan.  We may at times feel He is far off, but God has a plan.  And we may feel at times that there is no hope for things getting better, just as some in captivity in Babylon no doubt felt.  But again, God has a plan.  And His plan is a grand one, eternal life in His kingdom where all is good and there is no more sorrow, suffering or death.  We must always remember this no matter what life brings our way.  God has a plan, and it is for our good.  Remember what my favorite verse in scripture says.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.  Always remember this, for everything He has planned is for our good, just like they were for the exiles in Babylon.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Psalm 146:2

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 146:2 

“I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” – Psalm 146:2

“One thing I find sad today is that many people are focused on the negative things occurring, filling their minds with fear and anxiety.  This does no one any good, in fact if has a harmful affect to the human mind and body.  With all this stress that is filling the hearts and mind of people, they become susceptible to illnesses that would in other times never make us sick.  Also, in living a stressful life, we tend to focus our conversations with all this negativity and feeding the anxieties of others as well.  This is not what God wants for us. 

It is important that we turn our minds away from all this turmoil and focus on all the positives in our lives. And the best thing we can do is focus on the one who loves us with an everlasting love.  The one who has promised to take care of us in all circumstances, no matter how bad it gets.  And the verse that tells us how to do this is, “I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Psalm 146:2.

First, “I will praise the Lord while I live” Psalm 146:2a.  We need to praise Him all the time, as long as we are alive on this earth.  He is worthy of any praise that is given, and as much as we can give.  We should take as much time as we can in worship and praise, and the focus of our thoughts are to be always toward Him.  We should lift our voices in praise to our Lord in our quiet times alone and with our brothers and sisters in group worship.  If we open our hearts in praise and worship to Him, we will not have the room to think of our trials and troubles.  They become less important as He becomes more important. 

Also, we are to spend time in fellowship with Him, which in itself is an act of worship.  Every morning when we wake up and every evening when we lie do to sleep should be a time to interact with God, hearing what He is saying and giving our adoration to Him.  He listens to us and knows our very thoughts and will answer our pray requests with again, our best in mind. 

There is so much that can be said about spending time in worship and praise to our glorious God.  We do not have any reason to focus on all the hardships we and many are suffering through.  He wants us to have peace and solace.  He does not want us to be weighed down with fear and anxiety.  And we do not need to be afraid.  Remember to keep focused on God and not our trials and tribulations.  Give Him all the praise and glory for who He is and what He does, and all your troubles will not seem so great.  And remember what Jesus said to us.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7.  Focusing on praising God  will mitigate fear and worry.  And the more we focus on Him, the less the other things will seem all that  important. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.