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DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Sunday, August 14, 2016
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May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥
Today’s scripture reading:
The people must turn from their sins; they must sincerely mourn over their wrongs against God. The people had much to cry about. Because of their stubborn rebellion against God, they had brought great suffering to all, especially to the innocent. Was this suffering God’s fault? No, it was the fault of the wayward people. Sinful people brought destruction on themselves, but tragically, sin’s consequences affected everyone—good and evil alike.
Jeremiah had warned the people for years that this day of destruction would come, and it broke his heart to see it fulfilled. We are always shocked when we hear of tragedy striking the innocent. But often innocent bystanders are victims of judgment on a nation. Sin has a way of causing great sorrow and devastation to many. (NLT)
Lamentations 3:19-23 – Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer. Plead for you children as they faint with hunger in the streets.
“O Lord, think about this!” Jerusalem cries. “You are doing this to your own people! Should mothers eat their little children, those they once bounced on their knees? Should priests and prophets die within the Lord’s Temple?
“See them lying in the streets—young and old, boys and girls, killed by the swords of the enemy. You have killed them in your anger, slaughtering them without mercy.
“You have invited terrors from all around as though you were calling them to a day of feasting. In the day of the Lord’s anger, no one has escaped or survived. The enemy has killed all the children I bore and raised.”
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. –Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)
Jim Weems (Mississippi) titled his story “GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS;” here is a portion of Jim’s story:
“. . . When I tend toward despair, I remember Jeremiah’s great faith – and every morning I rise in prayer, thankful for my Creator’s mercies and faithfulness!”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – Where have I seen God’s faithfulness today?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the mercies you give every morning. When we despair, help us to turn to you. Amen.
Prayer Focus: FAMILIES WITHOUT BASIC NECESSITIES
To read the rest of the story in The Upper Room, click on the following link: http://devotional.upperroom.org/