But again, this is what the Eternal promises: "Just as I am not about to stop ruling the universe with fixed laws so that they day and night become confused, I will likewise keep My promises to the descendants of Jacob and David, My servant; I will not reject them. I will not forget the covenant I made with David that one of his descendants will rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will restore their fortunes and have mercy on them.
Observation
Imagine the scene as this message to Jeremiah unfolds. Jeremiah is held prisoner by the king of Judah. He is shackled and surrounded by guards in the kings court. Meanwhile Jerusalem lay under siege of the Chaldeans. Each day that passes by Jerusalem is losing hope of escaping the ever tightening grip of Babylon. The king, is taking out the his frustration on Jeremiah. See, Jeremiah prophesied that such things would come to pass because of the immense wickedness and rebellion that God's chosen had embraced.
In humiliation Jeremiah sits, and a message of hope comes to him. God reminds Jeremiah that this is just a moment. One day He will bring His people back, they will have peace and stability. They will be ruled by one of David's descendants; they will have a new king who will be a Faithful Shepherd. Then God sends two more messages to Jeremiah sharing the certainty of His promise to the children of Israel. This promise is the rope that Jeremiah and those for generations to come will hold on to.
Application
When life gets tough, we need reassurance of God's promise. Yesterday 18 children were shot at an elementary school in CT. Such tragedy! We need reassurance of God's promise. This week a man carved a pentagram in his sons back, because demons told him to. We need reassurance of God's promise. A little boy in Elena's class was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. We need reassurance of God's promise.
In a little over a week, we will be celebrating one of God's most incredible and world changing promise come to fruition, the birth of Christ. God reassured Jeremiah in the midst of incredible uncertainty, God reassures us today the same way. I am choosing to allow tragedy to create a deeper longing for Christ in my heart. Because there is another promises I am looking forward too, the coming of Christ. God gives us reassurance that His promises are sure, hold fast to them my friends.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your promises and how they give us hope. Thank You for reminding me that I can hold on to Your promises, because they are solid and sure. I pray for the families who lost their sweet babies, I pray for the parents whose children are suffering in the hospital and those dealing with extreme loss and tragedy; please surround them with Your hope and comfort, that through terrible tragedy they would experience a deeper relationship with the One who always holds, loves, and cares for them. May Your goodness be seen in the midst of such atrocities.
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