Jeremiah 46:27a “But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, And do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar,

There were times in my growing up when my mother took me into another room and spanked me. She was very effective at this and when it was about to happen I knew I was in for it! I am thankful for the way I was raised. That’s much easier to say now. At the moment it was painful! But I knew she was in control. No one else was coming to make it end. It would stop when she felt it best.

Jeremiah, like many prophets before him, had told of coming judgment. God was not happy with their idolatry and other sins. If they didn’t change their ways, He would punish them. He would use Babylon to do it.

Babylon was the super power of their day. No one could stand before them! Nation after nation fell. They came and Judah joined the list. They laid siege to Jerusalem. Some thought they could turn to Egypt for help. Egypt! The historical enemy of Israel! They were so afraid of Babylon they considered going back to Egypt! Back to possible slavery!

They were desperate! Who could possibly save them?! But Jeremiah had the answer. He’d been given the answer from God. Their problems came from God. Their disobedience to God was the source of all of them. God would punish. God would use Babylon. But God wouldn’t just destroy them. He would save them. He would stop when He felt it best.

Many people still run from God. They feel that He has too many rules. They fear they can’t be themselves if God were to be in charge of their lives and so they run. They consider all sorts of other ways to manage their lives. But God is trustworthy. And God is loving. He wants to save from afar still today.

We don’t need to be dismayed. We can return to God. When we do, we will find Him gracious.

Blessings,

Pastor Russ