Jeremiah 51

For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has not abandoned Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. ­– Jeremiah 51:5 NLT

Let's face it, this has been a bleak book. It is filled with messages of warning and descriptions of coming judgment. For more than 50 chapters, Jeremiah has had to deliver a sobering message of God's wrath and Judah's destruction. And in this sad story, no one walks away unscathed. Even Babylon would suffer complete and utter annihilation at the hands of God. God says, "Babylon has been a gold cup in the Lord's hands" (Jeremiah 51:7 NLT). In other words, God had treated them with great worth and importance as long as He needed them to punish His rebellious children. Their only value was to be found in His use of them as an instrument of wrath against His people. But He would still punish them for their role in the destruction of Judah. Why? Because in spite of their guiltiness, the people of Judah were still His chosen people. They were His children. He would punish them, but He would never abandon them. He assured them that He was still their God – even though they had filled the land with their sins against Him.

Compared to the all-knowing, all-wise God, the human race was foolish and ignorant. They worshiped idols made with their own hands. These lifeless gods were worthless. But the one true God is anything but an idol. He created everything, including His people, the nation of Judah. He set them apart for His own use. He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. He let them to the Promised Land and gave them houses they didn't build, vineyards they didn't plant, and victories they had no business winning. Yes, God had to punish them, but He was not done with them. He agreed to act as their lawyer, plead their case, and avenge their destruction – even though they deserved it. God showed them mercy and grace. He restored them to the land and back into favor with Himself.

God's wrath was going to be meted out and Jerusalem was going to fall.But He was not done with Judah yet. As Jeremiah wraps us his book, dark days lie ahead. Everything God had warned would happen was about to take place – down to the smallest detail. The people of Judah would end up in exile in Babylon for 70 long years. But God would not forget them. He would not abandon them. When the time was right, He would allow them to return to the land and begin the process of rebuilding their lives, cities, homes and relationship with Him. It would not be easy. but they could rest in the knowledge that He was still their God and they were still His chosen people – even though the "land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel." (Jeremiah 51:5b).  What a great God we serve. What a patient God we worship. May we never forget the depth of His patience, love, mercy and grace. He never abandons us or gives up on us. He is good.

Father, thank You for the message of Jeremiah. Never let me lose sight of your incredible mercy and grace and the way you shower them on me week after week.. Amen