August
This month’s readings bring us to a painful time in the history of Israel. In one way or another, the readings deal with the time leading up to and the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem. It is important to keep in mind that God did not cause the devastation.
When you read parts of the Bible that talk of a painful event being the punishment of God on a disobedient people, it is better thought of as the result of the people not living according to the laws that God had established for life.
For example, if a drunk young adult is injured or killed in a car crash, you might hear a well intended person say, “Everything happens for a reason,” as if God caused the wreck to bring some sort of purpose out of it. God did not force the accident that took the life of the individual, but the individual had made a tragic mistake in not following the path of God. It is critical to understand that just because someone passes away as a result of their own mistake, i.e., “died in sin,” doesn’t mean that they are beyond the grace of God. Humanity is never beyond the grace of God.
There are times, however, that we have made mistakes and then must live through the painful consequences of our choices. Even during those moments, especially during those moments – God is with us.
The readings in August highlight God’s love for us even when our individual or societal choices bring about devastating results. No matter the pain we might have to endure, God works to bring healing, purpose, and joy.
As you read through the Bible take time each day to:
- Reflections on the Scripture
- What surprised or inspired you?
- What questions do you have?
- List three things you are thankful for.
This Month’s Memory Verse
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
The book of Jeremiah reflects on the personal life of the prophet Jeremiah and the people of Jerusalem. Jeremiah is called, at an early age, to speak on behalf of God. He is a prophet who speaks to a broad audience of nobility, priests, and ordinary people. The backdrop of this book is the political and religious behavior of God’s people. They fail to be faithful to God and God’s law. This ultimately leads to the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem. Reading Jeremiah, we understand that God calls us to live faithful lives. We will also see that despite going through dark and difficult times, there is hope. God will “pluck up and pull down,” but God will also “build and plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10). The prophet calls us to understand the hope of God while living a life that reflects our knowledge of a loving God.
When we stumble in life and realize we have no one to blame but ourselves, where do we turn? The Book of Lamentations teaches us that even when we experience the very worst in life, we are to have hope, not despair.
It is God who restores our soul and shows us the path forward. The Book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah to express the humiliation and suffering of Jerusalem as the city fell into the hands of the Babylonians in 587 BCE. Jeremiah reminds us that no matter how great our sins may be there is always a path
back to God. In the 3rd chapter of Lamentations, he writes, “Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord.” Sin does not have to have the final word in our lives when we confess our shortcomings before the Lord
and choose to trust in His mercy.
Ezekiel Synopsis
Ezekiel is one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) who lived and preached during the time of the Babylonian exile. He offers a strong message of judgment when he predicts the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple. More importantly, perhaps, is the hopeful vision he lays out when he describes how dry bones can live again. The dry bones represent all that is left of the Israelites who have been thrown into exile. God breathes His spirit into these bones, and they live again. The message: No matter how dire our circumstances are, there is always hope with God.
We encourage you to begin your Bible reading time by reciting the month’s memory verse and then the daily Bible reading. Reflect on the reading – did it raise questions or confusion; did it inspire you or warm your heart? Then, to live in a spirit of gratitude, write down three things for which you’re grateful. Finally, close your devotional time in prayer. While you might not feel the same way each day, the ongoing discipline of having a daily devotional time will have lasting impact on your life and certainly deepen your relationship with God.
Reading Plan
August 1: Jeremiah 1-3 and Psalms 27
August 2: Jeremiah 4-6 and Psalms 28
August 3: Jeremiah 7-8 and Psalms 29
August 4: Jeremiah 9-11 and Psalms 30
August 5: Jeremiah 12-14 and Psalms 31
August 6: Jeremiah 15-17 and Psalms 32
August 7: Jeremiah 18-20 and Psalms 33
August 8: Jeremiah 21-22 and Psalms 34
August 9: Jeremiah 23-25 and Psalms 35
August 10: Jeremiah 26-28 and Psalms 36
August 11: Jeremiah 29-30 and Psalms 37
August 12: Jeremiah 31-32 and Psalms 37
August 13: Jeremiah 33-34 and Psalms 38
August 14: Jeremiah 35-36 and Psalms 39
August 15: Jeremiah 37-39 and Psalms 40
August 16: Jeremiah 40-42 and Psalms 41
August 17: Jeremiah 43-45 and Psalms 42
August 18: Jeremiah 46-48 and Psalms 43
August 19: Jeremiah 49 and Psalms 44
August 20: Jeremiah 50-51 and Psalms 45
August 21: Jeremiah 52 and Psalms 46
August 22: Lamentations 1-3 and Psalms 47
August 23: Lamentations 4-5 and Psalms 48
August 24: Ezekiel 1-4 and Psalms 49
August 25: Ezekiel 5-8 and Psalms 50
August 26: Ezekiel 9-11 and Psalms 51
August 27: Ezekiel 12-14 and Psalms 52
August 28: Ezekiel 15-16 and Psalms 53
August 29: Ezekiel 17-19 and Psalms 54
August 30: Ezekiel 20 and Psalms 55
August 31: Ezekiel 21-22 and Psalms 56
