Today’s Reading, Jeremiah 51-52
Focal Scripture: Jeremiah 52:3 “Because of the Lord’s anger, it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he finally banished them from his presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.”
When I was younger I was not always the best child. I have heard stories that I used to be a terror. So bad in fact that my parents would put a lock on the outside of my door to keep me contained. Well they thought it would keep me contained. One day when I was locked in my room I decided to break the outside window and go several houses down to sit on a neighbors tractor. When my mother found me I was in big trouble and I was banished from her presence after I got my tail whooped. So why was I banished from her presence? Because my behavior stirred up anger in her.
In today’s reading we see the Holy God of the universe banish his people from his presence. Why does he do this? Because the people continually choose other gods over him and sin is their desire. God continually gave the nation opportunities to turn from their sin but they chose their own wants over God’s commands. In an act of love snd justice God banished his people from the land.
We know that the Lord is long suffering and gave them many chances to repent. We also know that he allowed them to return because he is full of mercy and grace. However, to fulfill his promise of judgement and to fulfill prophecy the people received judgment that was harsh and foretold. God made a decision to remove them from what was promised.
So what does this mean for us as believers today? It means that even though the Lord is long suffering he still has standards. Sin will be dealt with and dealt with powerfully. Sinners will be banished from the Lord’s presence. After all that is the worst part of hell and eternity.
The good news is that even though our sins require banishment from the Lord, he has provided a way out through his son, Jesus. You and I both deserve hell because we are sinners. However, God demonstrated his love for us that while we were yet still sinners Christ died for us personally and collectively. Those who would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life.
You see even though we are supposed to be banished from his presence he demonstrates love and compassion to his people. I urge you to see him as he is and accept his divine love and mercy.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Lamentations 1-2
