July 16, 2010 Still Hope

July 16, 2010
Jeremiah 40 – 42

Jer 40:11-12 When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom and all the other countries heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor over them, 12 they all came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, from all the countries where they had been scattered. And they harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit.

IN THE midst of death and destruction, God is giving his people hope. He is giving his people the opportunity to be born again! Yes, in his love, God wants to create new birth from Israel’s destruction in the form of Gedaliah, a Jew, appointed governor and bounty as they “harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit”.

God in effect said to his people, “I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. 12 I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.” (Jer 42:11-12)

But something horrible happened. Assyria sent Ishmael to kill Gedaliah, the new leader. Ishmael took death into God’s new life for Israel. And the remnant people were scattered again.

This is a picture of our world. Every day a loving God offers new life through Jesus Christ. And every day Saan sends evil to destroy that new life. We must guard ourselves against the assassins. We must listen to the warnings of faithful people to listen to God’s Word from his preachers and teachers. We must lock out death and invite in the life our King offers.

Satan seeks death for you. God gives you life when you trust his Words of faith, hope and love.