Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 22:1‐23:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:1‐12, Psalm 83:1‐18, Proverbs 25:11‐14

Context: God is telling his people through Jeremiah that disobedience leads to punishment.  He reminds them that their father who did righteously was rewarded by God.

Jeremiah 22:15b-16

“Did not your father eat and drink
 and do justice and righteousness?
 Then it was well with him.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
 then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
 declares the Lord.”

Julius Frederck (my middle namesake) Holm

Observations:

• Did not your fathers
  • Eat and drink
  • Do justice and righteousness
• Then – it was well with him
  • He judged the cause of the poor and needy
• Then – it was well
• Is not this to know me?

Yesterday (after my Bible reading and journal entry) my grandfather passed away.  He “knew God (v16)” and was a spiritual patriarch for the Holm family.  You can read Opa’s obituary here.  Reading the verses in Jeremiah 22 above, I am reminded that Julius’ justice and righteousness needs to be remembered.  It should motive me to live the same way.

Apply: “Lord, thank you for Julius Holm’s righteous life.  As the Holm family focuses on his memory the next few days, inspire us to live in a similar way.”

Do you have a spiritual patriarch in your life?  Spend time thinking about the way he or she lived and how God has rewarded and will reward a righteous life.  Let it motivate you.