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20. You Will Be Restored


Jeremiah 33:15-26
Key verse: "In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch sprout from David's line. He will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: 'The Lord, our righteousness.'"
Jeremiah 33:15-16

More time has passed since yesterday’s reading, perhaps 20 years.  The exile has begun. Most of the people whom God had chosen to survive are now in Babylon along with Daniel, Ezekiel and the others who are devoted to God's ways.  Rather than seeing this as God's preservation, however, it must have felt like God's punishment and abandonment.  The question must have been continually asked, "Where is God?  Has He forgotten us?"

Zedekiah is on the throne. He is the last king of Israel and he only has about a year before he too is destroyed.  Some people are defiant and rebellious, believing that God will not allow Jerusalem to be destroyed.  Others in Jerusalem are frightened.  They too are wondering where God is in all of this misery.  They may be questioning God's promises now that the situation looks so bleak.  Can Israel really be restored?  Those who are still in Jerusalem are under siege.  They are starving and they have no hope.

We are entering into the darkest days of Israel's history.  Jeremiah had said that God would send a good shepherd, but things are only getting worse and more corrupt.  Can you relate?  Have you ever tried to hold on to God's promises while your situation only seemed to become more dire with each passing day?

Yet God is saying here, through His prophet Jeremiah, "Yes, I can restore.  I can also rebuild.  I have not forgotten my promise to give Israel a righteous king.  I have not forgotten my people.  I made my promise to their forefather, Abram, and I will make it happen.  Messiah will come.  There will be restoration.  There will be life and hope again for My people.

The same promises are there for you.  Even though it doesn't look or feel like it, God is still with you, holding your hand.  Trust may be the hardest thing that you can do right now.  It was certainly hard for the people of Israel, but it's still what they, and we, are called to do.

Believe it or not, though it is dark, the mileage on the sign is lower for sure this time!  We are still on course with God's redemptive plan.  Hang on!  Messiah is coming!  God has promised.

Hymn: "O God Our Help in Ages Past" 

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