October 15, 2018
Jeremiah 46:27
“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;
    do not be dismayed, Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place,
    your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
    and no one will make him afraid."

New International Version (NIV)
                Have you ever experienced the Lord’s discipline?  Parents who love their children discipline them.  This is no excuse for abuse.  But the undisciplined child is an unloved child.

                God loves his children.  After many warnings, he sent them into captivity in Babylon.  Jeremiah had the job to tell them it would happen, and the pain to watch it come about.  Near the end of his book, his tone turns conciliatory.  “Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.  Without fail I will save you.  You will have calm, quiet and no fear.

                Later the writer of Hebrews would say, “Endure hardship as discipline.  The Lord disciplines those he loves.”  Not every bad thing in our lives is punishment.  But we can see every difficulty as an opportunity to learn.  Instead of asking, “why?” we may ask, instead, “What are you teaching me through this God?”  The difficulties of our lives often offer the greatest opportunities for growth.

 Pray with me:  
Father, please do not waste this pain.  The difficulties of this day could decimate us.  Instead, please disciple us through your discipline.  Help us to learn from our past mistakes.  Out of the noisiness of this sadness bring us to unfrightened calm and quiet, we pray.  In Jesus’ name.    Amen.  
  This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story.  With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
 
Joyfully, 
 
Duane 
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