READING: Jeremiah 46-47, Hebrews 6
“. . . for without fail I will save you.”
Jeremiah 46:27
I love the Lord, for He’s a good, good God. Even when He must judge His people.
For example, listen to the words He spoke to His people even when He had orchestrated their exile into Babylon:
“But you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged, Israel, for without fail I will save you from far away and your descendants, from the land of their captivity!
Jacob will return and have calm and quiet with no one to frighten him.
And you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid—this is the Lord’s declaration—for I will be with you.
I will bring destruction on all the nations where I have banished you, but I will not bring destruction on you.
I will discipline you with justice, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.” (Jer. 46:27-28)
“Don’t be afraid or discouraged,” God told them, even when they had been in captivity because of their sin. That sounds almost strange, actually, for it was God who sent them there in the first place. He would rescue them from the very place to which He had exiled them. In fact, destruction would come on the nations to which He sent them—not on His own people who had, frankly, blatantly disobeyed Him and chased after other gods. He would chastise them but not leave them.
You see, our God often says both of these statements to us within the same sentence: “I will discipline you with justice” and “Do not be afraid.” The former statement comes from His holiness, and the latter comes from His grace. The combination erupts out of His love.
ACTION STEPS:
- Remember today that God’s love also includes judgment.
- Praise Him for not destroying us.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for loving me enough to discipline me and alleviate my fear.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 48-49, Hebrews 7