Jeremiah 27:

• I realized this morning that I’m starting to be afraid to continue reading Jeremiah. I wonder how this actually felt for Jeremiah, who actually had to deliver these messages, not to mention the audience of his messages.Here we see that not only does God use Nebuchadnezzar (vs. 4-7), an evil king of Babylon, as His tool for His purposes, but He commands His people to willingly submit to this evil king (vs. 8).
  • “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25) – I must NEVER assume that I know God’s ways, but diligently seek God’s will and humbly submit to what he reveals.

Acts 16:

• I see more of God’s mysterious ways. For our part the Gospel must be spoken indiscriminately. Though God has His ways of determining the audience and location of our speaking, this is not for us to decide (vs. 6-10). Amazingly, Paul and Silas have enough perspective that, though they receive a severe greed-driven beating (vs. 19-24), they can see God’s hand and choose to pray and sing to God (vs. 25).
  • How easily my circumstances can cloud my vision of the meta narrative that I’ve come to trust. Help me, Jesus, to see all things through this grid and not be distracted by tempting lusts or selfish rage.