Light Through The Tunnel 08.24.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday August 24, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 32-33 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to yout browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2032-33&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jeremiah's inprisonment; him buying a field; Jesus Christ, the branch of Righteousness promised. Today's mesage focuses on the importance of realizing that we can rest assure that, regardless of how things appear, whatever God says will come to pass and we will see light at the end of the tunnel.

It is God who decides the fate of all battles, no matter how many soldiers; how strong or skillful they are. Jeremiah is confronted by King Zedekiah as he sits in prison, "For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house. For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;" (Jeremiah 32:2-3).

Under such adverse circumstances when the destruction of the nation was imminent, God spoke to Jeremiah, "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:" (32:17-19). He later instructed him to purchase land, "And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans." (24:25). Without hesitation Jeremiah paid for the land, took receipts, registered the purchase, then handed over the documents in the presence of many witnesses.

This business transaction would have seemed ridiculous to those who had heard Jeremiah's repeated warnings of approaching destruction and captivity. But, Jeremiah had also proclaimed that the people would be restored to the land, and this purchase of land was evidence of his faith that the Sovereign God would fulfill His Word. Although Jeremiah could not see how God would accomplish the prophecy concerning the regathering of His people, Israel, his faith was in the unfailing Word of God.

Our faith in the Word of God can be measured by its effect upon our conduct. Even through failure of plans we can be sure that God is working in all things. In the midst of darkness and confusion we can maintain our faith that out of the darkness God can bring forth light. "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Jeremiah who acted as a kinsman-redeemer by purchasing the land of his cousin Hanameel even though he was in prison (Jeremiah 32:6-14). Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer who purchased our freedom from sin, hell, and the grave with His own blood on Calvary (I Corinthians 6:20).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
The day to day circumstances in our lives are so uncertain. The solutions to our problems can be very perplexing and seem beyond our grasp. You don’t expect us to have all the right answers or to fully understand all that concerns us, but You do want us to trust You, as we hold on to Your unchanging hand. Jesus, we have trusted You over and over throughout the circumstances of our lives, and today we pray for grace to trust You even more. In Jesus's name.....Amen.

Enjoy your day and week.
God Bless,
Christina