Day 219

By
Judah in Exile

Scripture

August 6—Jeremiah 21-25: Turning Too Late

Observation

The end has come for Judah. In panic the leaders of besieged Jerusalem turn too late to the prophet to seek the Lord's assistance. God's thundering reply through Jeremiah is chilling: The city will fall, its most productive citizens being deported to Babylon. Yet, sounding a more hopeful note, Jeremiah predicts their eventual return after seventy years, when the remnant will come home to a new day of righteous leadership and their captors will be brought to ruin.

Application

Parent and child are riding in a car down the highway. Suddenly they enter a tunnel—the first one the child has seen. The child is gripped with fear at the sudden eerie darkness. At this point, the child is faced with a choice: He can (1) try to grab the wheel away from the parent and turn the car around, or (2) trust the parent, shortly to make the happy discovery that tunnels have openings at both ends.

Judah was suddenly plunged into a dark tunnel of exile from which there appeared to be no light of hope. But Jeremiah knew better. He foretold Judah's return after the passing of seven decades. In addition, he announced the coming of a righteous Ruler to restore Judah in the glorious tradition of the great King David, one whose name would be "The Lord Our Righteousness" (23:6).

When circumstances are at their darkest, you need the confidence given by 1 John 1:5—"God is Light and in him is no darkness at all." God is not in the business of plunging his people into dark tunnels without also providing the hope-giving light they need to see their way through. Are dark circumstances crowding in on you, causing you to want to panic and "grab the wheel"? then turn to Romans 8:18-25 and read it as many times as it takes for God to show you the light at the end of your tunnel!

Prayer

Oh Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to guide us through every dark tunnel we may encounter in our life so that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that is You. We appreciate the guidance and the conviction that the Holy Spirit provides for us keeping us on the right track when we don't know which way to turn. We worship you and glorify your Holy name on high above every name. In the name of our Savior Jesus! Amen!

That Light at the End of the Tunnel!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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