Day 242: Jeremiah 52; Lamentations 1; Psalm 71

O Lord, our God, there is no denying that You truly are gracious and forgiving, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness (Psalm 103:8). Knowing human nature, there is an awful tendency to take this for granted and live as we please. Thank You for the lessons from Your Word! May we never be like King Zedekiah and his cohorts. What a horrific judgment they earned for their blatant evil: "...and in the end he [the LORD] thrust them from his presence" (Jeremiah 52:3, NIV). Help us rather to be like King David. When confronted with his sin he prayed: "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (Psalm 51:11-12, NIV). Thank You that a broken and a contrite heart You will never despise (Psalm 51:17)! In the Name of Jesus our Savior we pray. Amen!