the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 3
Jeremiah 41:2—Then arose Ishmael... and smote Gedaliah... with the sword.
This chapter is full of horrible atrocities. Blow on blow befell the already decimated remnant of Jews. Had it not been for Ishmael’s ruthless vandalism, the vine of Israel might yet have struck her roots downwards and borne fruit upwards.
We must ask for more of that profound faith which, through all blinding mystery, sees the Divine purpose, weaving events and men into its plans, and compelling all to work together for the discipline or aid of his children. "Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps; fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word." "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee; the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalms 148:7-8; Psalms 76:1-12 :l0).
What a comfort it is to know that all things in heaven, earth, and hell; all demons and men; all Nebuchadnezzars and Ishmaels—are under the control of our heavenly Father! They may hate us with all the power of their evil natures, but they cannot hurt us beyond his permission; and as soon as they have fulfilled what He deemed necessary, they will be withdrawn. There are no second causes for us. We are always dealing first-hand with God, though He may employ many strange servants to bring us his messages.
"A God-inspired Expectation, a Holy Patience, has always been the mark of a true believer, at the most critical periods in the history of the Church and of the individual. She first made hope vocal in the soul of Isaiah; fasted and prayed with Anna in her long widowhood; was at the cross with the mother; at the grave with the Magdalene; and hired the room for Pentecost."
