Daily Devotion
Come Down!
LAMENTATIONS 3:42-54
Key Verse:
"Till the Lord look down,and behold from heaven"n(Lamentations 3:50).
The story of Zacchaeus'
encounter with Jesus is instructive. He was a rich man of high social
status, but diminutive in size. He was a sin- stricken man who needed
his life to be touched by the Sin-bearer. He wanted a contact with
Christ but felt the crowd would pose a hindrance because of his short
stature. He therefore, took an option of climbing a sycamore tree so
that he could catch a glimpse of him as he was passing by. Jesus spotted
him on top of the tree and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come
down...". He came down from the tree and entered into an experience
with Jesus. In our text today, prophet Jeremiah was lamenting the ordeal
of the people of Israel, particularly, the daughters of Jerusalem, as a
result of their sin. Their transgressions and rebellion pushed the face
of God away from them and caused the enemy to pursue them. God left
them alone because they had decided to join themselves to idols (Hosea
4:17). But when their affliction became unbearable, the prophet cried
out on their behalf. Today, many believers go through diverse challenges
as a result of meddling with sin. Some had even unknowingly joined
themselves to idols and brought severe consequences upon themselves.
Jeremiah bore the burden of the calamity of Israel. They suffered from a
national depression, and the future looked so bleak. In reality, the
nation was dead! You may have lost your joy as a result of your soured
relationship with God, but if you wholeheartedly seek His face and
humbly, like Zacchaeus, make a desperate attempt, He will pardon you.
But you must first come down from the tree. To become what God destined
you to be, come down from your height with haste! He is waiting to pick
you up at the base.
Thought for the day: Jesus forgives and forgets.
Bible Reading in one Year: JEREMIAH 5-6
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