God’s promises that happiness will come again to Jerusalem finish in chapters 34 with a final flourish: “In these places you will hear again the shouts of gladness and joy and the happy sounds of wedding feasts. You will hear people sing as they bring thank-offerings to my Temple….”

And then the gruesome predictions begin.

Jeremiah tells how he tries to stop the king from total destruction, but for his troubles Jeremiah ends up down a well. By Chapter 39 the walls of Jerusalem are down and King Zedekiah has seen his sons put to death.

Psalm 138 is a psalm of thanksgiving and ends in the lovely chant: His Love is eternal, and the plea: Complete the work You have begun.

Dear Father God, Thank You that Your love is eternal. Thank You that You love me despite the days when I do not love You with all my heart. Please help me to put You first, to love You most and to serve You gladly. Please forgive me for all the times I fail in this. Please keep working on me, giving me Your Spirit and remaking me more in the image of Your son, my Lord, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen