Jeremiah – Chapter 50

In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant. Jeremiah 50:20 – Our chapter today speaks to the destruction of the enemy of God’s people within the time of Jeremiah’s ministry, Babylon. Complete destruction was foretold for the enemy that had plundered the people of the Lord. While that would have been a refreshing message to hear for the people of Israel and Judah, prophecies like our verse above would have been even more delightful to hear. God was promising to forgive and to restore. Israel and Judah had experienced such devastation in their own lands due to their continual sin. Idolatry, pride, and many other sins were rampant in the lives of God’s people and Babylon was brought to execute God’s judgement. Yet that judgement was not forever, God would turn from carrying out consequences to offering His hand of reconciliation and healing. God would forgive all their sin to the point that even if one were to look for it that it wouldn’t be found. We must understand that this is how God sees our past sin too. Through Jesus He has completely washed us clean of our sin and forgiven it. It’s not as if God let us off the hook but still is holding our wrongs against us like a criminal charge we can’t drop. Our sin is not found by Him anymore for we have been made clean by Jesus. Our sin isn’t hiding under some layer or in a back closet somewhere. Our sin is gone, and we can search as far as the east is from the west for it but it will not be found. Praise Jesus that what we have with the Father is not some relationship that has sin still looming in the background causing division between us. Our sin is forgiven. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3280

Thus says the Lord of hosts: The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon. Jeremiah 50:33-34 – Those against us are strong, but our God is stronger. I love how it speaks of Israel being taken captive and those that are holding her refuse to let go. Then the very next verse simply says the one with Israel is strong and that one is the Lord. This is our story too. We do have some pretty powerful enemies in our life. We have pretty powerful things holding us back from the life God wants for us. But our God is strong. He is more than powerful enough to take on any of the enemies that have overwhelmed us. Seek a new mindset where you remember often how strong God is compared to the things bringing your down and holding you back. In Him, you have all the strength you need to live the life you know He desires you to have. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 969

Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones. Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. Jeremiah 50:17-18 – Finally we see a judgement being placed on the nation of Babylon who has been delivering such horrific judgement on God’s people. Yet, if you were one of God’s people and heard that Babylon was going to fall, it would be sweet to the ears but hard to believe. This nation is more powerful than anything you have seen before, how could it fall? Here is why God reminded them of Assyria. Just like Assyria was an enemy that looked too big to fall and God took them down, Babylon will fall as well at the hands of the Lord. What opposition do you have right now that seems too big to fall? Know if God says it will fall, it’s going down. We know God’s promise in these passage concerning Babylon is true, for that nation is long gone. So is the Persians and then the Romans who came after them. Any enemy that stands in opposition to God’s people God can take down. Even death itself can be defeated by our God. So take courage when opposition and enemies arise when you are seeking to live a faithful life. Know this opposition is sure to come, but God is sure to come as well. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2182