Facing Opposition 08.23.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday August 23, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 29-31 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029-31&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the letter written to the captive Jews in Babylon; the foretelling of their freedom and a full restoration of things. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God's Word tells us to treat our enemies with kindness and in doing so we will overcome evil with good and be blessed.

Through Jeremiah, God repeatedly told the Jews that Jerusalem would be destroyed and the remaining Jews will be held captive in Babylon. This now became a reality and Jeremiah sends the Jews a letter, Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;" (Jeremaih 29:1).

God let them know that they would not be lost and disappear, but would remain a distinct people. "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace." (29:4-7). An amazing prophetic truth has been fulfilled and the once mighty empires of Assyria, Persia, Greece, and Rome have faded away.

During their captivity, Jeremiah taught them how to respond to the people who held them captive, "For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place." (25:8-10). This means they were to pray for, and be a blessing to, their captors; and the Israelites, in turn, would be blessed by God.

This is a reminder to us that we are going to face situations where we feel we are held captive, such as marriage, kids, jobs, where we are going to be taken advantage of or even mistreated. Instead of living in pity and feeling sorry for ourselves or trying to seek revenge we need to put our trust in God and seek the best for our enemies. I know it can be hard to forgive, but unless we forgive we can not be forgiven by God or receive the blessings waiting for us. Besides, forgiving our enemies let's God take care of them for us. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." (II Corinthians 10:3-7).

Let us remember that there is a God, a God who has purpose and design for both His people and the promised land.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the One who forgives sin (Jeremiah 31:34). Through Jesus we are forgiven of our sins and made righteous in the eyes of God. "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." (Romans 4:6-7).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life. You planned my existence in my mother's womb before I even drew my first breath. When so many people have come into my life and exited it throughout the years You have taken up residence and You forever rule my heart. When the path before me was unclear You have always gone before me sustaining me in my wilderness journey. Though all forsake me You remain faithful, and remarkable as it seems, even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful. Thank you, Lord for not giving up on us and using us as examples that through You we can face any opposition. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your daya nd weekend.
God bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net