GOD's Secret Wisdom Daily

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Jeremiah 33:1-26: While Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonian army and Jeremiah is imprisoned in King Zedekiah’s palace in Jerusalem, the LORD delivers a message of hope, promising to rebuild Judah and Israel and make them prosperous again. The LORD will also fulfill the promise concerning the Davidic dynasty by choosing a righteous king who will rule with justice. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 33:26B [The LORD said:] “I will be merciful to my people and make them prosperous again.” TODAY'S READING Another Promise of Hope 1 While I was still in prison in the courtyard, the  Lord 's message came to me again.  2 The  Lord , who made the earth, who formed it and set it in place, spoke to me. He whose name is the  Lord  said,  3 “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about.  4 I, the  Lord , the God of Israel, say that the houses of Jerusalem and the royal palace

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Jeremiah 31:23-40: Jeremiah says that God will restore the people of the southern tribes of Judah and bring them home. God promises to make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah, putting the law within them and writing the law on their hearts. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 31:34B “I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs. I, the LORD, have spoken.” TODAY'S READING The Future Prosperity of God's People 23 The  Lord  Almighty, the God of Israel, says, “When I restore the people to their land, they will once again say in the land of Judah and in its towns, ‘May the  Lord  bless the sacred hill of Jerusalem, the holy place where he lives.’ 24 People will live in Judah and in all its towns, and there will be farmers, and shepherds with their flocks.  25 I will refresh those who are weary and will satisfy with food everyone who is weak from hunger.  26 So then, people will say, ‘I went to sleep

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Jeremiah 31:1-22: Israel was made up of twelve tribes named for the sons of Jacob. After King Solomon died, the ten northern tribes formed their own kingdom (Israel), while the two southernmost tribes formed the kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah envisions a time when the LORD will rebuild Israel, the people will return to their own land, and the twelve tribes will be restored as one nation. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 31:17 “There is hope for your future; your children will come back home. I, the LORD, have spoken.” TODAY'S READING Israel's Return Home 1 The  Lord  says, “The time is coming when I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they will be my people.  2 In the desert I showed mercy to those people who had escaped death. When the people of Israel longed for rest,  3 I appeared to them from far away. People of Israel, I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love.  4 Once again I will rebuild you

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Isaiah 42:1-17: Verses 1-4 comprise the first of four “Servant Songs” in the book of Isaiah (see also 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13—53:12). In this passage, the servant is described as one whom God chose to see that justice is done on earth. The reading concludes with a reference to light as providing an image of God’s saving power. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 42:8 “I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise.” TODAY'S READING The  Lord 's Servant 1  The  Lord  says, “Here is my servant, whom I strengthen— the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation. 2 He will not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches in the streets. 3 He will not break off a bent reed nor put out a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all. 4 He will not lose hope or courage; he will establish justice on the earth. D

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Isaiah 35:1-10: The land of God’s people is pictured as blooming and rejoicing because the LORD will bring his people back from exile. The people will travel on a highway called “The Road of Holiness” that the LORD will prepare. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 35:2B Everyone will see the LORD’s splendor, see his greatness and power. TODAY'S READING The Road of Holiness 1 The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wastelands. 2 The desert will sing and shout for joy; it will be as beautiful as the Lebanon Mountains and as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see the  Lord 's splendor, see his greatness and power. 3  Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. 4 Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.” 5  The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear. 6 The lame will leap

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Esther 9:20-32: Today’s reading describes the origin of the festival of Purim, an annual celebration to commemorate the triumph of the Jewish people over their enemies. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, who had become a high official in the king’s court, writes a letter to all the Jews with instructions for observing the festival. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ESTHER 9:22B They were told to observe these days with feasts and parties, giving gifts of food to one another and to the poor. TODAY'S READING The Festival of Purim 20 Mordecai had these events written down and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, throughout the Persian Empire,  21 telling them to observe the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as holidays every year.  22 These were the days on which the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies; this was a month that had been turned from a time of grief and despair into a time of joy and happiness. They were told to observe these day

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Esther 9:1-19: In today’s reading, the Jews destroy their enemies, along with Haman’s ten sons, in the capital city, Susa, and throughout all the provinces. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ESTHER 9:16A The Jews in the provinces also organized and defended themselves. TODAY'S READING The Jews Destroy Their Enemies 1 The thirteenth day of Adar came, the day on which the royal proclamation was to take effect, the day when the enemies of the Jews were hoping to get them in their power. But instead, the Jews triumphed over them.  2 In the Jewish quarter of every city in the empire the Jews organized to attack anyone who tried to harm them. People everywhere were afraid of them, and no one could stand against them.  3 In fact, all the provincial officials—governors, administrators, and royal representatives—helped the Jews because they were all afraid of Mordecai.  4 It was well-known throughout the empire that Mordecai was now a powerful man in the

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Esther 8:1-17: Today’s reading reflects a pivotal reversal. Esther receives all the property that had belonged to Haman, and Mordecai is appointed to a new and influential position. While the king could not revoke the proclamation that ordered the Jews to be destroyed, he tells Mordecai to issue letters written in the king’s name that would allow the Jews to defend themselves. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ESTHER 8:16 For the Jews there was joy and relief, happiness and a sense of victory. TODAY'S READING The Jews Are Told to Fight Back 1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther all the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was related to her, and from then on Mordecai was allowed to enter the king's presence.  2 The king took off his ring with his seal on it (which he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman's property. 3 Then Esther spoke to

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise INTRODUCTION Esther 6:14—7:10: Esther invites the king and Haman to a second banquet and tells the king about the plot to destroy her people. When she reveals that Haman instigated this plot, the king orders that Haman be executed on the very gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ESTHER 7:3 Queen Esther answered, “If it please Your Majesty to grant my humble request, my wish is that I may live and that my people may live.” TODAY'S READING Haman Is Put to Death 14 While they were still talking, the palace eunuchs arrived in a hurry to take Haman to Esther's banquet. 1 And so the king and Haman went to eat with Esther  2 for a second time. Over the wine the king asked her again, “Now, Queen Esther, what do you want? Tell me and you shall have it. I'll even give you half the empire.” 3 Queen Esther answered, “If it please Your Majesty to grant my humble request, my wish is that I may live and that my people may live