August 17 | Jerusalem Falls!

Today’s Reading:

Read Jeremiah 39:1-5; Psalm 74; Psalm 79

Parents, start off today’s time by asking your kids a question that you already know the answer to. (For instance, “What is 2+2?”) Have you ever asked a question that you already know the answer to? Sometimes we ask those questions to help us work through what the answer is. Consider this- your parents tell you it’s time to go to bed and your first question is, “Why?” Chances are you already know the answer to that question. It could be your normal bedtime, it could be that you have an early start to your day the next day, or most importantly, the answer could be as simple as it’s time for bed because your parents said it was time for bed. No matter why you have to go to bed, the chances are good that you already know the reason!

As we read Psalm 74 and Psalm 79, we see a similar situation. The Israelites continued to ask questions that they definitely knew the answer to! Jeremiah’s prophecy regarding the fall of Jerusalem had come to pass. And the temple that Solomon had built had been destroyed. Everything Jeremiah had prophesied was coming to be! In their sadness, the Israelites called out to God with questions!

Psalm 74:1 – Why have you rejected us forever, God?
Psalm 74:11- Why do you hold back your hand?
Psalm 79:5- How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?

The prophets, from Amos to Jeremiah, had been very clear with the Israelites as to what was going to happen if they continued to worship false gods. God had told the Israelites that there were going to be consequences. The Israelites knew why God was holding back His hand. That didn’t stop them from asking the question, though, did it? The Psalmist’s words showed that the Israelites knew all that God had done and they trusted in all that God could do. Their issue was being patient and waiting for God to carry out all that He had promised to do!

Application/Prayer:

Thank God today that he never gets tired of hearing from us, even when we question situations and circumstances we are facing. Thank Him for always doing what He says He will do. It’s a big deal to know that we can trust that everything God says He will do, He definitely will do!

August Memory Verse:

“Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Using the daily reading prompts from George H. Guthrie’s Read the Bible for Life, here’s how to use this devotional:

Bring your Bible! Your kids need to see that everything you are reading to them or learning about comes from an actual Bible!
Each day starts with a reading prompt. Read the selection as a family. If your kids are readers, encourage them to read along with you.
After you’ve read the passage, read the short devotional thought that goes along with each passage.
Prayer and application are important any time we read God’s word! After each devotional, there is a challenge to help apply what your family has read that day.
There is a reading for six days of the week. The last reading of the week is a Gospel Conversation Prompt to help you connect the reading from the week with God’s plan for salvation.