Daniel 9:2

December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.” (Daniel 9:2)

Here, Daniel is referencing Jeremiah 25:11-12, “This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste.”

1. Daniel viewed Jeremiah as a prophet. 
2. Daniel believed Jeremiah heard from the Lord. 
3. Daniel used Jeremiah’s writing to make sense of his own circumstances. 

Lord, help me to follow Daniel’s lead in trusting your word and using it to make sense of my life circumstances. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Ezekiel 37:3-6

November 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ And I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” (Ezekiel 37:3-6)

This is the fairly well-known vision of the valley of dry bones. God used the imagery of dry bones being restored to life to communicate to Ezekiel what God saw as Israel’s future.

My thoughts are drawn to God’s involvement in this scenario. These dry bones cannot seek restoration. They are long dead. But God insisted on their new life by telling Ezekiel to prophecy over them. Note that Ezekiel’s prophecy didn’t bring the bones to life. It was the spirit of God that would give them life. Additionally, God was restoring life to them so that they would know that He is the Lord.

There is something greater than being alive, and that is knowing the Lord. Jeremiah put it this way, “But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬)

Father, please help me to know you better each day. Help me to live in a way that shouts, “I know the Lord.” Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Restoring Israel

Jeremiah 52:1-2

October 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.” (Jeremiah 52:1-2)

Note the historical markers in these verses: Zedekiah’s age, length of reign, his mother’s name, etc. All of these types of details tell us that this report is tied to history. We are not reading a story that “happened a long time ago in a land far, far away.”

The Lord wants us to learn from history. We can verify these names, places, and kings, etc.

So, what’s the point of Jeremiah? God calls his people to walk in righteousness, and when they don’t, he punishes them. However, He does not break his covenant with them.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness to your people. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament

Jeremiah 51:5

October 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord of hosts, but the land of the Chaldeans is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.” (Jeremiah 51:5)

This word of assurance may seem unbelievable since Israel is still in captivity. How could they feel anything but forsaken?

Of course, our feelings have some value – we were created as emotional beings – but we are not to be driven by our feelings. At times, our feelings may tell us the wrong thing, particularly if we are in a difficult situation. We have to allow truth to guide us.

When Israel was in Babylon, they had not been abandoned by God. No doubt it felt like they had been abandoned, but they hadn’t. In those circumstances, the only thing they had to go on was faith. They had to believe what God had said and kept saying.

We will find ourselves in circumstances that suggest God has abandoned us … but He hasn’t.

Father, help me believe in you without wavering. Amen.

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament

Jeremiah 50:17-20

October 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones. Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and his desire shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead. In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.” (Jeremiah 5:17-20)

While God uses the nations of the world to accomplish His purposes, He does not give them free rein to do as they please. When they go too far, there is a price to be paid. We see this in 50:39-40. Babylon will be destroyed and never inhabited again.

Also, Israel will be returned to their land. However, all of this prophecy has not been fulfilled yet. For “iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah, and none shall be found.” So, we have something to look forward to.

I look forward to the day that Israel doesn’t sin, and I don’t sin. Amen.

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament
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