Pastor Stephen Dedman

”Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭14‬

The prophet Jeremiah received a message of hope from the Lord for the people of Israel and Judah. They were in captivity and exile but God promised to fulfill His covenant with them and bring about a time of renewal and blessing.

In the midst of our challenging and uncertain times, God assures His people that He will perform the good things He has promised to them. As believers, we are heirs to the promises of God through Jesus Christ. Just as God remained faithful to His covenant with Israel and Judah, so too will He remain faithful to His promises to us.

Furthermore, Jeremiah 33:14 points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises in the person of Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the promises of God and establishes His kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy.

Today, let us hold fast to the promises of God and trust in His faithfulness to bring about His purposes in our lives. Take comfort in the assurance that God is at work, even in the midst of your difficult circumstances. He will bring about His good and perfect will in His perfect timing.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to fulfill Your promises. Help me to trust in Your goodness and to rest in the assurance of Your faithfulness. I hold fast to Your promises and look forward with hope to the fulfillment of Your plans in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬

The story of Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison illustrates the incredible power of prayer in times of trouble. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, the church fervently prayed for Peter, trusting in God’s faithfulness and ability to intervene on his behalf. Their prayers were answered in a miraculous way, as an angel of the Lord intervened, freeing Peter from his chains and leading him to safety.

This account reminds us that, as believers, we serve a God who hears and answers prayer. When we face trials, challenges, or persecution, we can turn to God in prayer, confident that He is able to work in ways beyond our understanding. Like the church in Acts, we can unite in prayer, seeking God’s intervention and trusting in His faithfulness to deliver us according to His perfect will.

The example of Peter’s deliverance should challenge us to prioritize prayer in our lives, especially in times of trouble or adversity. Instead of relying solely on our own strength or understanding, let us turn to God in prayer, seeking His wisdom, guidance, and intervention. Whether facing personal struggles, challenges in our communities, or global crises, prayer is a powerful weapon that can move mountains and bring about God’s purposes.

Additionally, let us cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, continually seeking God’s presence and aligning our hearts with His will. Through prayer, we can experience intimacy with God, find peace in the midst of turmoil, and witness His miraculous intervention in our lives and the world around us.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer and the assurance that You hear and answer my cries for help. Teach me to pray with faith and persistence, trusting in Your power to intervene in my life and circumstances. May I never underestimate the power of prayer to bring about Your purposes and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬

Hebrews 9:11 paints a picture of Jesus as our High Priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest held the honor and responsibility of entering the Most Holy Place of the temple to make atonement for the sins of the people. However, Jesus is described as the High Priest of the “good things to come,” and His tabernacle is “greater and more perfect.”

This verse is a reminder of the extraordinary nature of Christ’s priesthood. He doesn’t enter an earthly sanctuary but the heavenly one, not made by human hands. His work is not confined to temporary rituals but secures eternal salvation for those who believe in Him. In Christ, we have a High Priest who mediates for us before God, ensuring that the “good things to come” are ours to inherit.

We should be grateful for the perfect High Priest we have in Jesus. He has accomplished what no other high priest could—eternal redemption. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that Christ’s work is complete, and we are welcomed into the presence of God. May this truth fill us with hope and assurance as we live out our faith in Him.

We are blessed that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is our atonement for our sins. We are forgiven and made righteous before God. Thank the Lord we are forgiven!

Pray

Lord, thank You for being the perfect High Priest and entering the heavenly tabernacle to secure my eternity. Help me to grasp the significance of this wonderful work. Give me confidence and assurance as I anticipate the “good things to come” that You have promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.