Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Jeremiah 33:1 (NIV)
“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time…”
Jeremiah 33:1 (MSG)
“While Jeremiah was still locked up in jail, a second Message from God was given to him…”
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“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still confined in the court of the guard, saying…” -AMPLIFIED
“While he was still shut up in the court of the prison: As in Jeremiah 32, this word came to Jeremiah during the terrible final siege of the Babylonians against Jerusalem in the last years of King Zedekiah’s reign. Zedekiah put Jeremiah in the royal prison for preaching in the name of the LORD that Babylonians would succeed.” ~David Guzik
As we closed out Jeremiah, chapter 32, we were reminded that God already knows what the future holds. For He is the God of our yesterday’s, today’s, and our tomorrow’s, the Omniscient One.
“Fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying, ‘It’s a desolation without people or animals; it has been handed over to the Chaldeans!’ Fields will be purchased, the transaction written on a scroll and sealed, and witnesses will be called on in the land of Benjamin, in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in Judah’s cities—the cities of the hill country, the cities of the Judean foothills, and the cities of the Negev—because I will restore their fortunes.” This is the Lord’s declaration.” -Jeremiah 32:43-44 (CSB)
And as we begin Jeremiah, chapter 33, we are told that Jeremiah is still being confined in the court of the guard, he is still imprisoned. We learn that the Lord speaks to him once again while he is in confinement.
“For a second time the message of the Eternal came to Jeremiah as he was being held in the court of the guard.” -(VOICE)
The chapter begins in this way: “The word of Adonai came to Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah)…” -Complete Jewish Bible
The Lord speaks to Jeremiah again, it almost appears as if this happens fairly quickly, on the heels of the Lord’s last Message to Jeremiah in the last chapter. (Actually, we have no idea of how much time has passed.) What we do know is that Jeremiah was still being held prisoner. He was still in the courtyard of the guard.
And we find the Lord speaking to Jeremiah once again. The Lord gives to Jeremiah, while he is imprisoned, another Message for the people. Isn’t the Lord so good, coming to visit with Jeremiah, to speak words of encouragement and hope to him when he was feeling low and discouraged.
“While Jeremiah was still in jail, the Lord sent him this second message…” -(TLB)
“Men may shut up God’s servant, but they cannot shut out God’s Word. The Word comes to you-no matter where you are-if your heart is open to the Lord. God sometimes has a “second” message for you, so be alert.” ~Warren W. Wiersbe
Scripture reminds us that God lovingly takes the time to encourage us. Why? Because He loves us and He is rooting for us, He wants us to succeed.
Consider a few people from the Bible that God encouraged: Moses, Joseph, Gideon, David, yes, Jeremiah, Mary, Peter, and Paul. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but you get the idea, God does encourage us. He cares for us deeply, and He wants us to succeed.
Let us look at a few of the ways that the Lord encourages us.
1.) God speaks to us words of encouragement in His still, small Voice: “Your ears will hear sweet words behind you: “Go this way. There is your path; this is how you should go” whenever you must decide whether to turn to the right or the left.” -Isaiah 30:21 (VOICE)
2.) God speaks to us and encourages us through His Word: “All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right so that God’s people may be up to the task ahead and have all they need to accomplish every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17 (VOICE)
3.) God often speaks to us and encourages us through our friends: “A true friend loves regardless of the situation, and a real brother exists to share the tough times.” -Proverbs 17:17 (VOICE)
4. God encourages us through suffering: “What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement.” -2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (TLB)
5.) God encourages us through our personal growth: “Because of all that God has done, we now have a new perspective. We used to show regard for people based on worldly standards and interests. No longer. We used to think of the Anointed the same way. No longer. Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun! All of this is a gift from our Creator God, who has pursued us and brought us into a restored and healthy relationship with Him through the Anointed. And He has given us the same mission, the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others back to Him.” -2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (VOICE)
“As inhabitants of a fallen world, we oftentimes face heartache, intimidation, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But as children of God, saved and secure in Jesus, we are never beyond the reach of the Lord’s encouragement. Sometimes it comes through Scripture or the timely words of a fellow believer, but God can also use circumstances to raise our spirits and increase our trust in Him.” ~Charles Stanley
My friend, are you experiencing a trying time today? God wants to encourage you. You are not alone. He walks with you, and wishes to give you hope. He reminds you that He loves you with an everlasting love. He wants you to succeed. He wants to bless you. Do you have your listening ears on? He is speaking to you today. Be encouraged.
“Believe – you are never alone, God is always with you.” ~Catherine Pulsifer
My Prayer:
Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I hear your still, small Voice, reminding me that I am yours. I belong to the Most High God, and nothing can touch me unless you have allowed it. You walk with me through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, so I need not fear any evil. You are my Strength, and my Song. You are my Shelter and my Hiding Place. You send people to me to give me hope and encouragement. Lord, thank you for all that you do for me. Thank you for loving me, and caring enough to encourage me. You know exactly what I need, even before I ask for it. You are so good to me and I am so blessed. ❤
Growing with God 