Bible Reading: Jeremiah 50:28-46
“A voice! They flee and escape from the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, vengeance for his temple” (Jeremiah 50:28)
Our God is just and holy. In His love, those who repent are forgiven. However, those who continue to rebel against Him will face God’s wrath and judgement. Those who defy the Lord deserve retribution. God says concerning Babylon, “Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has proudly defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel” (Jeremiah 50:29-30).
God’s wrath was real and is continually real to all those who proudly oppose Him. This should encompass all people, including you and me. By God’s grace, there is salvation in Christ for all who would believe and repent. However, it still stands that our God opposes all those who proudly deny God’s ways and truth. This is what God declares, “Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up, and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all that is around him” (Jeremiah 50:31-32).
Where do we stand? Do we proudly oppose God by living according to our own desires? Do we proudly oppose God by governing our own lives and altogether rejecting His will and righteous ways? There is only repentance in Jesus Christ or imminent wrath and judgement.
Our God is a jealous God. He is jealous for His people. Jeremiah 50:33-34 says, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name, He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.” God is the refuge and protection of His people. However, to those who oppose God, nothing is promised by sure unrest.
We must know that our God is the almighty God who controls the nations. He brings down all the proud and wicked, and He upholds His humble people. There is no one like Him. There is no one that can compare. Jeremiah 50:44 proclaims, “Behold, like a lion coming up from the thicket of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make them run away from her, and I will appoint her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me?”
Yes, our God is a God of love to His people. But, He is also a Holy God. He opposes sin, and He punishes sin. Sin is not to be toyed with, and our heart’s position before God is the most important matter. Are we right with God? Only in Christ is there forgiveness of sins. It is only for those who will humbly repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, all who proudly live their own lives will face the judgement that the Babylonians faced. May we grow to know who our God really is.
Lord, forgive us when we have misconceptions of who You are. Teach us to understand Your Holiness. You despise sin and all those who live proudly before You. Forgive us because we are apt to forget You and proudly walk in our own ways. Create in us a broken and humble heart and remember us in the perfect blood of Christ. Praise be to You for who You are. You are incomparable and like none other. In Jesus’ name, amen.
