DAY 2 Going Further Back

From the day God made mankind, He gave a choice…to walk humbly, in obedience to God or to be masters of our own lives and live apart from God. When God made His covenant with Israel, He gave the same choice…walk humbly, in obedience to God or disregard Him and His laws. In Deuteronomy 28-30 where Moses urged the people to commit themselves to God, we find the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience.

Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20

1. Make two lists that compare the offer of life or death.

Death Life

2. How do we live resolved to choose life according to these verses?

3. What practical ways can we resolve more to know a God who is in control?

Day 3

God’s Purposes in Exile

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to those exiled in Babylon to give direction in their circumstances and hope in future restoration. Read a portion of that letter in Jeremiah 29:1-14.

1. To whom was this letter written?

2. What do you observe about God? (look for names, attributes, what He does)

3. What instructions did God give through Jeremiah for the people in exile?

4. What promises did God give to the people in exile?

Day 3

5. Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted and applied as a promise today. It’s important to recognize that the purpose for verse 11 is in verse 12. What is God’s desire for His children?

6. All of the Old Testament points to God’s provision for mankind to be reconciled apart from the Law. What is the Good News found in the New Testament according to John 3:16-17 and Romans 3:21-24?

On Right Now Media you can access Kay Arthur’s teachings on Daniel: Dare to Be God’s Messenger Sessions 1 & 2 align with this lesson. If you can only listen to one, Session 1 is recommended.

God is sovereign over all creation. Everything happens according to His divine will and plan.

• Not only is God at work in the grand scheme of human history; He is also personally and intimately involved in the details of your life! How have you seen God’s sovereign hand at work in your life?

Prayer

• We cannot control our circumstances, but we can choose to trust in the God who is sovereign over our circumstances. Are you facing difficult circumstances this week? How might remembering that God is in control change the way you respond to your circumstances?

Sovereign Lord, You have placed me in Your timeline of history. You have a specific plan and purpose for this world and I admit, sometimes I struggle with where I am in life and the circumstances I face. Please forgive me for trying to take up the pen and write my own story and for trying to solve problems in my own strength. Jesus, I ask today that you help me surrender my plans to You so I can see where You are working. Bring my heart into a full understanding of Your will for me as I trust in You and You alone. Help me to remember that You are over all that is happening in this world. You are the God of glorious wisdom, power, and grace who rules over every moment. I place my faith in the One who is allknowing, all-wise, and all-good. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.” Psalms 86:11-13 NIV