"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 17 October 2016 with Scripture Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 17 October 2016 with Scripture Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
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Jeremiah 14:

7 Although our crimes witness against us,

take action, Adonai, for your name’s sake;

for our backslidings are many;

we have sinned against you.

8 You, hope of Isra’el,

its savior in time of trouble,

why should you be like a stranger in the land,

like a traveler turning aside for the night?

9 Why should you be like a man in shock,

like a champion unable to save?

You, Adonai, are right here with us;

we bear your name — don’t leave us!

10 Here is what Adonai says to this people:

“They so love to wander,

they don’t restrain their feet;

so Adonai does not want them.

Now he will remember their crimes,

and he will punish their sins.”

19 Have you rejected Y’hudah completely?

Is Tziyon loathsome to you?

Why have you struck us irreparably?

We looked for peace, but to no avail;

for a time of healing, but instead found terror!

20 We confess our rebellion, Adonai,

also the crimes of our ancestors;

yes, we have sinned against you.

21 For your name’s sake, do not spurn us;

do not dishonor your glorious throne.

Remember your covenant with us;

do not break it.

22 Among the nations’ idols,

can any make it rain?

Can the skies, of themselves,

send showers?

Aren’t you the one,

Adonai, our God?

Don’t we look to you?

For you do all these things.

[Complete Jewish Bible]
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There are many things in our life that can distract us. There are even more things that cause us frustration. Jeremiah is speaking the truth when he says that the people love to wander. We often go and do things that we want to do, but we do not stop to think what God is calling us to do. When things go wrong, we turn and wonder why God is not giving us all that we want. What we fail to realize is that God is there giving us all that we need. Every day we need to remind ourselves that God is our hope, our trust and the giver of a promise that does not end. Even when we falter, God still upholds the promise out of love. Keep turning to God in your struggles and in your joys. 

Good and gracious God, help us keep our hearts and minds on you and your calling. Let us not be distracted by this world, but help us keep our word and work for your glory. Amen.

Nathan Strong, '11

Senior Pastor, Portland Lutheran Parish, Portland, N.D.

Jeremiah 14:7 Although our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; our apostasies indeed are many, and we have sinned against you.

8 O hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler turning aside for the night?

9 Why should you be like someone confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot give help? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not forsake us!

10 Thus says the Lord concerning this people: Truly they have loved to wander, they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them, now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins...

19 Have you completely rejected Judah? Does your heart loathe Zion? Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? We look for peace, but find no good; for a time of healing, but there is terror instead.

20 We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you.

21 Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.

22 Can any idols of the nations bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Is it not you, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you, for it is you who do all this.

[New Revised Standard Version]

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