The Lord's Side 08.30.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are completing our studies on the book of Jeremiah, please read Chapters 51-52 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2051-52&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the judgement of Babylon; the fall of Jerusalem; and the captivity of Judah. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that the time is swiftly coming when enemies of God will be judged. Be sure you are on the Lord's side.

The spectacular and gigantic empire of the Chaldeans surpassed anything that the world has ever known. It's capital, Babylon, appeared invincible with walls 360 feet high and 80 feet broad. They were enjoying absolute rule over all the nations when Jeremiah declared the judgement and destruction upon them. "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed." (Jeremiah 51:6-8).

And as foretold by the prophet, the Babylonian capital "suddenly fell." This was on the night that Belshazzar the king made a great feast (See Daniel 5). Babylon's defeat came at a time when its leaders were filled with pride and feasting, and were fearless of all the world. It was the signal for freedom and redemption for the faithful Jews in captivity who were warned more than once to flee from Babylon and ater its defeat by Cyrus, they were at liberty to remain in Babylon and enjoy its luxury and new-found freedom; but they were commissioned by prophecy to restore the desolations of the once-magnificent Jerusalem.

The unwillingness of the majority of the Jews to forsake the luxuries of Babylon for the poverty and hardships they would experience in returning to Jerusalem is a reflection of what we are facing throughout the world today. How accurately this describes some who love the pleasures of the world and will not respond to the invitation of Christ. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:23-24).

More often than that, many will accept Jesus and consent to follow Him, but quickly fall away when things become difficult. Jesus illustrates the life of a Christian/ Non-Christian with seeds sown, "Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:3-8).

God gives us a choice, we can either follow Jesus or follow the world. Whether we choose to follow Him or not we will still face trials and tribulation. Without Him the result often leads to depression and dependencies on worldly things or people, however with Him we can be at peace and prevail knowing that He is with us and will carry us through every step we take. God never gives us any obstacle that we can not handle, He knows our strengths better than we do and the more we seek Him the stronger we become and are able to prevail against any person or thing that the devil uses to get us to dry up and wither away. Trust in Jesus and You will prevail!

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the Creator of the universe (Jeremiah 51:15). All things were created for Him and by Him. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You reign over all the earth and You also reign in my heart! What an awesome blessing this truth brings to me today. As I consider that it is not by my might, nor by my power but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts that my personal mountains are removed. Jesus, I know that many of the mountains I face are not just blown away by a simple prayer of faith, but these mountains are often the very essence of how You work through my life to reveal Your faithfulness and Your power in the midst of my struggles. You develop godly character as I am challenged to remain steadfast and faithful in my Christian walk. It is You who I put my trust in and will prevail. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day and be blessed.
God Bless,
Christina

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