Devotion 1 of 2: Jer 12
This chapter can be divided in 2: 1) Jeremiah’s question (v.1-4) and 2) God’s answer (v.5-17). Jeremiah’s question was one that many people have: Why does God allow bad people to prosper, while ignoring my wish for them to be stopped? And how long will the terrible things from their evil continue?
God’s answer to Jeremiah was, if he found it hard up to now, how will he do when it gets worse (v.5)? It’s true that the men of Anathoth, Jeremiah’s hometown, threatened to kill him for prophesying (11:21). So, God caused them to die by the sword and famine (11:22). But in the coming days, Jeremiah would be tested more, by being put in stocks (20:2), in a muddy dungeon (38:6) and in prison (38:13). So, God encouraged him to get stronger.
God also answered that plunderers (from Babylon) would devour Judah and make it desolate (v.10-12). So, we need to learn patience because in the end, evil will be punished.
デボーション1/2：Jer 12
この章は、1) エレミヤの疑問(1-4節)と2)神の答え(5-17節)の2つに分けられます。エレミヤの疑問は、多くの人が抱く疑問でした。なぜ神は、悪者が栄えることを許しながら、彼らを止めてほしいという私の願いを無視するのでしょうか。そして、彼らの悪による恐ろしいことはいつまで続くのでしょうか。
エレミヤに対する神の答えは、今までのことで苦しんでいるのなら、さらに悪化したらどうするか、というものでした (5節)。確かに、エレミヤの故郷アナトテの人々は、預言をしたために彼を殺すと脅しました (11:21)。そのため、神は彼らを剣と飢餓で死なせました(11:22)。しかし、その後の日々で、エレミヤは足かせ(20:2)、泥だらけの穴(38:6)、監視の庭（＝牢獄、38:13)に入れられ、さらに試練を受けることになります。そこで神は、彼がもっと強くなるよう励ましました。
神はまた、（バビロンからの）荒らす者がユダを食い尽くし、荒廃させるだろうとも答えました（10-12節）。ですから、私たちは忍耐を学ぶ必要があります。なぜなら、最後には悪は必ず罰せられるからです。
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Acts 12
The Christian church’s 2nd martyr, James, is killed in v.2, while Peter is miraculously freed from prison in v.11! When AC persecutes the church, we will probably see this same thing happen, some will be martyred, and others will be rescued by God. We cannot object to this. We must recognize the sovereignty of God.
So, why was Peter rescued? 1st, because it was God’s will. 2nd, it was because the church prayed (v.5)! Let’s also be a church that prays and miracles happen! Then 3rd, it was because Peter had faith. He was not so worried that he could not sleep! He was sleeping so soundly that the angel had to hit his side to wake him up (v.7)!
This deliverance from prison was different from Paul and Silas’ deliverance. Here, Peter was sleeping, but in Acts 16, Paul and Silas were praying and singing (16:25)!
We cannot put God in a box. He allowed James to be killed but freed Peter. He answered Paul and Silas’ midnight prayers, but also rescued Peter even though he was sleeping! We must accept God’s sovereignty in all matters or we will stumble when some are martyred and others are delivered in the endtime!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku