INTERESTING FACTS : Timothy Pickering, REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; JUDGE; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; POSTMASTER GENERAL UNDER PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON; SECRETARY OF WAR UNDER PRESIDENTS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JOHN ADAMS; SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS

"Pardon, we beseech Thee, all our offences of omission and commission; and grant that in all our thoughts, words, and actions, we may conform to Thy known will manifested in our consciences and in the revelations of Jesus Christ, our Savior. [W]e do not grieve as those who have no resurrection to a life immortal. Here the believers in Christianity manifest their superior advantages, for life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel of Jesus Christ [II Timothy 1:10]. Prior to that revelation even the wisest and best of mankind were involved in doubt and they hoped, rather than believed, that the soul was immortal."

Daily Reading : JEREMIAH 46 - 48

TEXT : Jer 46:26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD. Jer 46:27 But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid. Jer 46:28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

THEME : SALVATION

Always, salvation is of the LORD. Repeatedly, the LORD states in the Bible that He and He alone saves. You will benefit greatly if you consider and learn this truth, for in it lays the secret of peace. If you believe you control everything, alarm and worry will fill your mind and confuse it. True, you have control over some things. Yet, only the LORD has control over everything!

The great secret of life is to discern the sovereignty of God and His Lordship over all creation. Again, you are responsible for some things. Still, God is in control of all things. Knowing the difference is the secret of inner tranquility. You see this in Jeremiah 46, where the LORD states how He will judge Egypt and Babylon, while rescuing a remnant from Judah according to His power, might, and will. He judged His own people the Jews, sending Nebuchadnezzar to take them captive, and He will send deliverance. He is the Creator of all people, and all are His servants. Again, you must understand you have individual responsibilities. However, for the true child of God, the truth of God ruling as "king of kings," in the person of Jesus Christ, is a stabilizing thought for the troubled mind.

1Ti_6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "THERE IS NO NEED TO FEAR WHEN YOU HAVE CHRIST!"

The LORD tells the suffering Jews to "fear not." They are in deep depression and discouragement when God tells them not to fear, and promises them a future deliverance. Moreover, He also states He will judge those that afflicted them. Perhaps this seemed a small consolation while they suffered so badly. Still, for those Jews who mixed God's Word with faith, it became their hope and foundation.

The Bible is clear that for those who trust in Christ, they do not need to fear - anything! Consider the 14 New Testament verses below. Each one contains a "fear not."

Mat_1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Mat_10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Mat_28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Luk_1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Luk_1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luk_2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luk_5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luk_8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luk_12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luk_12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luk_18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Joh_12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

Act_27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Rev_1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Clearly, there is no need to fear when you have Christ. Your challenge is to mix what you read with faith; otherwise, the promises of Christ will not benefit you.

Heb_4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.