Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. –Jeremiah 38:6

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-18
Introduction

What must a man endure for God? Without argument, the prophet Jeremiah suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually-and he reached a boiling point where he desired for his persecutors (seemingly all of Jerusalem) to be wiped out! Elijah, on the other hand, asked for God to wipe

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. –Psalms 34:6-7

Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:15-22
Introduction

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were three Hebrew men who experienced an awesome deliverance by God. You probably know them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-the three friends of Daniel. They refused to worship the false god of Nebuchadnezzar. They were willing to burn rather than bow!

Yet we find their curious reply to the Babylonian king was one of bold confidence,

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God: we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. – Isaiah 25:9

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 26:1-12
Introduction

What does “perfect peace” mean to us? It would seem that those who live in peace may soon take it for granted. During times of war and conflict, we pray ever so hard for victory and divine protection upon our troops (and usually our enemies are praying the same thing). Peace

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. – Psalm 32:8

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 32:1-15
Introduction

What if the country you lived in was overrun by enemy troops, and the main body of their army was about to seize the capital city? Would purchasing a parcel of land near the capital enter your mind? Probably not. Most of us would probably think of running for our lives!

Buying real estate wouldn’t have crossed Jeremiah’s mind either unless God had told him to do it. And that He

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. –Habakkuk 2:1

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-17
Introduction

The book of Habakkuk, however short, is nevertheless beautifully descriptive of the prophet’s journey from doubt and anxiety to faith and worship. Habakkuk begins with a desperate agonized cry for the dire circumstances in Jerusalem, questioning God’s mercy and wondering if He remembers His people.

After God answers his first cry, Habakkuk begins to question God’s methods of answering his

He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. – Lamentations 3:6-8

Scripture Reading: Hosea 3:1-5
Introduction

The only thing worse than desperate circumstances to believers is to feel that God no longer hears our prayers. We know the power and ability of God to bless us and keep us through fire and flood, through sickness and despair, but what happens when the Master of all Ages stops

For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. –Lamentations 3:31-33

Scripture Reading: Lamentations 1:1-12
Introduction

When King Zedekiah rebelled against the Babylonians, to whom Judah was subject, Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem. While the Babylonians sieged the city, the people inside began starving and dying. When the city finally fell, Judah’s king escaped from the city with his soldiers, abandoning the population to their enemies. The Babylonian official in charge of

O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. – Hosea 14:1,4

Scripture Reading: Exodus 32:1-10
Introduction

God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt. Reading the Exodus account clearly shows that this was no easy task, for to prove His power and might to Egypt, God had “hardened” Pharaoh’s heart against letting the Israelites go. After the tenth devastating plague had fallen on Egypt, wiping out the firstborn from every

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Scripture Reading: Daniel 9:1-19
Introduction

While the book of Jeremiah’s “lamentations” focused upon the pain and oppression that fell upon Judah during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 focuses upon Judah’s need for inner change. Daniel cries out for God’s forgiveness, and pleads for the Almighty’s help in restoring obedience and holiness to Judah.

This prayer of confession shows this prophet’s true heart toward Judah’s sin. He openly admits

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to seek out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

Scripture Readings: II Kings 6:15-18 and Daniel 2:1-13
Introduction

Isn’t it amazing how much the young and inexperienced often think they know? Actually, the more we learn, the more we come to realize how much more there is that we don’t know! The wisest men of all understand how much they lack-and how desperate they are for the only Wise and True God! The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

It is impossible to learn