July 31, 2021
What does it say? |God’s message promised the captive remnant in Babylon that He would restore them to their land where their descendants would serve Him in peace and security.
What does it mean?
Because God is just, He could not ignore Israel’s rejection of His commands. Yet one of the most amazing aspects of God’s character is that He disciplines out of love for the purpose of restoring His people. Because of their sin, Israel would experience great suffering, both in Jeremiah’s day and in the future. In fact, the future wound of the nation will appear to be incurable. However, God promises not only to hear Israel’s cry, but also to physically and spiritually heal them. His judgment on Israel’s oppressors applies to Babylon as well as the nations of the world during the Great Tribulation. God will justly save the nation and restore their land.
How should I respond?
It’s unpopular in our culture to believe that every person is born with a sin nature, but it is clearly taught in Scripture. Like God’s people in today’s passage, we each suffer a spiritual wound for which there is no cure from a human standpoint. Regardless of the fact that we deserve the wounds from our sin, God mercifully provided a complete cure through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who believe and receive Him are no longer separated from God, but are free to live in the peace and security He provides. Have you received this incredible gift?