So all the warnings of Jerusalem and the Temple being destroyed came true...not a favorite prophecy fulfilled, but it was something that God said would happen...and it did. Jeremiah was criticized for speaking such words to the people, but they thought there is no way that this would happen, thus they continued to walk in their arrogant ways and now they are walking as captives to a foreign land 800 miles from Jerusalem. I am sure that was the hardest and saddest walks of their lives. Some of them would never see sacred Jerusalem ever again. The Word of the Lord was fulfilled. Isn't it crazy to figure out how God works? Habakkuk confessed that there was no way that God would do something like this, that He was too holy...but God is not controlled by men..EVER! It is His story and so this is what He decided to do and He did it.
Here is what strikes me though. God's love for His stubborn people has not changed at all. Even though they are being led to captivity, He is with them. He still gives them instructions (Jeremiah 29) on how they can still worship Him and who knows what people in Babylon were impacted by some of the Israelite's attitudes. Think about our lives today and how our behavior can impact someone around us. We may feel like we are in some "captivity" ourselves, but take heart friends, nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is constant and unchanging. He loves us today just as much as He did yesterday. He will love us tomorrow just as much as He did today, even if I blow it big-time. Thus, I hope that my attitude is strong enough at my weakest moments that people see my worship of Him and are drawn to Him. Why? Because He is faithful, loving, and good. Now, we will jump into Lamentations starting tomorrow.
"Believer, when you are on your knees, remember you are going to a king. Let your petitions be large". - Charles Spurgeon
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