Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"You are great in counsel and mighty in work"
Text: Jeremiah 32:19
A PRAYER OF JEREMIAH II
Jeremiah’s prayer to the LORD was couched in history and theology. His words uttered in prayer reflect a man who knew the history of his nation and one who was steeped in theology as well.
“You are great in counsel and mighty in work,
for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men,
to give everyone according to his ways
and according to the fruit of his doings.
You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, to this day,
and in Israel and among other men;
and You have made Yourself a name, as it is this day.
You have brought Your people Israel
out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders,
with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror.”
Jeremiah 32:19-21
1. “You are great in counsel and mighty in work,
for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men,
to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings”
a) Jeremiah’s understanding of the Person of God.
i) He is great in counsel.
ii) He is mighty in work.
b) His understanding of how God relates to mankind.
i) His eyes watch the ways of the sons of men.
ii) He rewards in reciprocation what man does,
according to his works (fruit of his doings).
2. “You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,
to this day, and in Israel and among other men;
and You have made Yourself a name, as it is this day”
a) Jeremiah recalled what God did in the land of Egypt, in the days of Moses.
b) He performed many signs and wonders in Egypt,
to make Pharaoh release the children of Israel from bondage.
c) Many signs and wonders were also done in Israel.
d) And among other men as well.
e) God obtained a great name for Himself through His mighty deeds.
3. “You have brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders,
with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror”
a) The children of Israel were brought out of the land of Egypt.
b) God’s strong hand and outstretched arm brought forth:
i) Signs and wonders.
ii) The Egyptians saw these mighty deeds of God with great terror.
4. Jeremiah’s way of praying
a) His thoughts about God and His mighty deeds were very strong.
b) His words in prayer to the LORD were framed by what he knew about Him.