Jeremiah 49-50

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2049-50&version=ESV

Jeremiah 50:33-34 "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."

In chapter 50, we read of the judgment of Babylon. It is interesting that even though God used Babylon for His purposes in disciplining Israel, He still took note of how Babylon was vicious and cruel to His people. And that He promised to redeem them from Babylon, and He did.

This is a truth that holds true for us today as well. The Lord has redeemed us and has promised us a better life with Him. The world is a cruel place, especially towards Christians who stand up for their faith and are active in proclaiming the Gospel to the world.

We may not reap the better life, in terms of earthly tranquility and peace on this earth, yet we will fully inherit the better life in heaven. But while we are here on earth, we who are Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who gives us peace when we are going through trials and tribulations. So that even if our lives from an outward perspective to the world are mundane, not exciting in their eyes, involve self-denial from fleshly desires, we have an inner peace from the Holy Spirit that we are trying to live lives that are glorifying to God.

Babylon is reaping what it sowed. As Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7-8:

^"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Babylon sowed to the flesh and reaped destruction. So friends, I ask you today, what are you sowing to? The desires of the flesh or to the desires of the Spirit?

The fall of Babylon is a strong warning to us and our nation. God in His sovereignty can cause even the mightiest nations to fall. Let us pray that our people and nation would turn back to God and be spared a similar fate as that of Babylon.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.