Isaiah 27-46

It has been early in the morning, and I have just finished reading my 20 chapters.  I have been reading about Jeremiah speaking to the King of Judah, Zedekiah, to the people of Israel, and then to the different countries around Israel.  He is telling them of the captivity.  Jeremiah is a captivity prophet.  The Babylonian captivity comes during his ministry.  He warns everyone, but no one receives his message.  He is thrown in a pit of mire because of the message he gives.  The false prophets call him a traitor to his country for preaching the truth.  But, it all comes to pass shortly and Jeremiah sees the prophecy all unfold right before him.  He is not happy that it happens, for he loves his country, but He knows what God is doing.  Here are a few thoughts from this passage: 1) OUTCAST- Jer. 30:17, says ".... they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after."  Oh what a difference sin makes!  David felt differently about Zion (Jerusalem).  Psalms 48:2  "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King."   From the "joy of the whole earth" to being called "Outcast" and becoming a city "whom no man seeketh after."  What makes it so..... sin!  Disobedience.  Pride.  Arrogance.  Rebellion.  Wickedness.  Turns a beautiful city of praise into an burned up shadow of a place; a slum. Don't let this happen to your life.... stay obedient.  2) MY PRAYER PROMISE- Jeremiah 33:3  "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."  For all these years, this has been one of my great prayer promises.  I quote it often.  I love the ring of it, the sound of it, the promise of it, the expectation of it.  I am nothing, but I have a God who asks me to call on Him and will show me great and mighty things.... things I could never have imagined!  Thank you Jesus.... thank you for your promises. 3) NEVER TO BE FOUND- In Jeremiah 37:19, it reads:  "Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?"  These people who pronounce things contrary to the Word of God are just never to be found when the evidence comes in that they are wrong!  They influence a people to go a different path from God, but then the path falls apart, they are never around.  They tell you how to raise children, but they never march their children in front of you.  They tell you how to live life, but they don't want you to examine their lives, their marriages, their contentment, etc.  And, when it all comes down around them, their is never a book written with the title:  "I WAS WRONG!".  So, dear child of God, follow His ways in faith, and one day, you can write a book entitled:  "GOD WAS RIGHT!".   Jeremiah 44:28 says it this way:  "Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah....... shall know whose words shall stand, mine or theirs."   Mine or theirs..... I'm going with the One who said "Mine". 4) O JACOB- In Jeremiah 46:28, it says:  "Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD:  for I am with thee; .... "  In Isaiah 41:13-14, it says:  "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.  "14"  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." *Instead of Israel, or Judah, God is calling the nation "Jacob".  Why?  Well, since they go into captivity, it is the end of any divided kingdom.  It is one nation again, even though they are a people in captivity.  It was Jacob who had a name change to Israel, remember?  So God comforts the righteous remnant with "fear thou not, O Jacob".   LORD, thank you for another great time with you today.  I have heard your voice as I've read your Word, you have drawn my heart once again next to yours.  I have delighted in my time with you.  I look forward to a time of prayer.  I want to seek your face, not your hand.  Your blessings are great, but your presence is greater.  I love you LORD, and I want to abide in you and with you all day long today.  Help these dear friends to do the same.  Amen. Have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler