Student Devotion Week 41: Prophet Jeremiah: Chosen For Bad News

Key Verse: Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

When I was in college, a girl from my youth group was killed in a car wreck. I hadn't seen her in five years, but the news still shocked me. The wreck happened on a weekend, and on Monday I talked with a close friend of this girl. After I told her to pass on my sympathy to the girl's family, I made a startling discovery: she'd been out of town, and no one had told her that her friend had died unexpectedly.

The prophet Jeremiah knew what it was like to be the bearer of bad news. God called Jeremiah to speak out against the sin of the people and warn them that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Needless to say, his message wasn't very popular. People plotted to kill him.

Jeremiah's prophecies were so vivid, he cried over what was about to happen. He was even nicknamed "the weeping prophet." Jeremiah always held to God's promise of protection from his enemies-and God kept his promise. After the reign of King Zedekiah, Judah was invaded by the Babylonians, and the people were taken into captivity.

People love to hear about God's love and grace, but the truth about sin, judgment, and eternal punishment isn't very popular. God may call you to risk it all and speak his truth to someone. Don't expect to be congratulated. People may respond with anger. Even so, you can be confident you'll experience the presence and protection of God.

Student Devotion Week 39: Prophet Jonah: God's Compassion

Key Verse: Jonah 2:6, "To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God."

The city of Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. God had seen the wickedness of the Ninevites and was preparing to judge that great city. They Ninevites showed disregard for God. They worshiped false gods. The Assyrians were vicious and did terrible things to their enemies. This evil and barbaric society was about to come under God's judgment. Enter Jonah.

The prophet Jonah was called to announce the judgment of God to Nineveh. He'd have to travel a great distance to get there. The prospect of meeting evil and cruel people face to face didn't appeal to Jonah, so he hopped on a boat and headed in the opposite direction. Running from the call of God may not have been about fear; Jonah may have actually wanted God to destroy Nineveh - the capital city of one of Israel's potential enemies.

Jonah's disobedience led him into a storm at sea and a trip into the belly of a great fish. In the dark and surely believing he'd die, Jonah finally realized that salvation is from God; he had no right to choose who'd hear the Word of the Lord.

When the big fish spit Jonah out, he went to Nineveh and spoke these few simple words: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned" (Jonah 3:4). Those words created such a revival that even the king repented and called all his people to do the same.

Why did God call Jonah to go preach in Nineveh? God loves all people, and he desires that everyone should have an opportunity to hear about him and respond to him. It's not for us to choose who hears about God. We're simply to Obey God and run to - not away from - his call.

Student Devotion Week 38: King Hezekiah: Repentance and Deliverance

Key Verse: 2 Kings 18:5, "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him."

Israel was divided. The northern kingdom was still called Israel, and the southern kingdom was called Judah. The spiritual climate of both kingdoms was determined largely by the king in power. Some kings were good and led the people to worship the true God; other kings were evil and led the people away from God. Hezekiah was a good king.

Hezekiah ruled Judah for 29 years. He removed pagan shrines and led the people to worship God. A lot of good things were happening in Judah, but then trouble started brewing. Assyria conquered Israel, and then the king of Assyria set his sights on Judah.

The king of Assyria attempted to intimidate Hezekiah with a letter detailing his military victories. Hezekiah knew Israel had been taken into exile by Assyria, and Judah was now facing the same fate. But Hezekiah prayed God would rescue Judah from Assyria so everyone would know the Lord alone was God.

Soon, the prophet Isaiah visited Hezekiah and told him God had heard his prayer; Assyria wouldn't overtake them. God sent an angel to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 troops. When the Assyrians woke the next day and saw the dead bodies, they quickly returned to their homeland. And when the Assyrian king got home, his two sons killed him in the temple of his pagan god. God is always bigger than anything this world can throw at those who truly trust in him.