Don't Give Up

O. T. #1784  "Don't Give Up"
Sept. 23, 2020
Jeremiah 25

LET IT GLOW 

Jeremiah's message in this chapter was given his 23rd year of prophesying and 20
years before it happened. This chapter occurred during the fist year of Nebuchadnezzar
reigned as king of Babylon. He is first mentioned in 21:2 by name. Verse 11 is the
first mention of the length of the Exile-70 years.

Israel had failed to let the land rest according to the Sabbath law (Lev. 25:1-7). Every
7th year they were to not till the ground. They failed to do this for 490 years, so they
missed a total of 70 Sabbath years. God saw to it that the land received its rest-with
His people's obedience or without it. 2Chronicles 36:21 confirms this happened. The
Lord is slow to anger, but that doesn't mean He forgets. (Tony Evans)

The Medes and Persians later conquered Babylon. King Cyrus of Persia sent Jews
back to Jerusalem to rebuild it. He even provided materials for this.

Jeremiah did not give up. God never stopped living and providing for him. God never
stops loving us, either. He doesn't give up on us, even if we give up. Is your faith
holding on by a string, dear one? Keep holding onto Jesus. He's got this. Our God is
faithful and His Words are Truth.

LET IT GROW 

In verse 15, what did God tell Jeremiah to do?
Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all nations, to whom I send thee, 
to drink it. 

This intoxicating cup was a symbol of divine wrath. Nations and kings are mentioned that
would drink from this cup of judgment. Sadly, Jerusalem and Judah were the first ones.
Judah had mistreated the poor and defenseless among her people. The other nations had
harassed the Jews on their journey to the Promise Land, picking off the weak and
defenseless. God never forgot this.

But this cup can in no way compare to the cup of  divine wrath our Lord Jesus
drank to atone for the sins of the world.   (Luke 22:42).

Atonement means exchange; reconciliation; restoration to (the divine) favor. 

Does Jesus deserve our love, devotion, service, and our all? YES! For sure!

LET IT GO
Jesus, I owe my life, breath, and salvation to You alone. 
I can never pay this debt of love that I owe to You. 
Cleanse me, Use me for Your kingdom work.