Safe in the midst of destruction

June 5, 2007

By Greg Ebie

God gave Jeremiah a difficult assignment, prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah stood before kings and told them of their downfall if they did not repent. Though he tried to remain silent, Jeremiah had to speak the Word of the Lord because it was like a fire burning within him. (See Jeremiah 20:9.)

The kings and many of the officials of Jerusalem despised Jeremiah, having him arrested and put in prison. Some wanted him killed because of what he spoke against them. They must have been afraid to take his life by the sword, so they had him lowered into a cistern to starve to death. But God rescued Jeremiah.

The time had come for God’s judgment to begin. The Babylonians laid siege against Jerusalem just as Jeremiah had prophesied. I can only begin to imagine how Jeremiah must have felt. It is one thing to speak of destruction; it’s another to see it come to pass just as the Lord had told you. Yet as Jerusalem was overtaken, the city burned, and the people killed and taken into exile, God again rescued Jeremiah.

“Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: ‘Take him and look after him; don't harm him but do for him whatever he asks’ ” (Jeremiah 39:11,12, NIV).

God kept His promise made to Jeremiah when the Lord called the prophet years before. Before Jeremiah spoke of the destruction that was to come, the Lord had said, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8). God not only saved Jeremiah’s life when threatened by his own people, but God caused the Babylonians to show favor to Jeremiah and give him whatever he wanted.

We are living in days much like those of Jeremiah. For centuries Christians have been looking for the return of Jesus. The Bible warns us of what will happen in the days preceding Jesus’ coming. Some of those events are happening even today. Are these the last days? It has never been later than it is today. And this world will only get worse before Jesus comes.

As we see events long prophesied begin to be fulfilled and evil raise its ugly head we may begin to fear. But Christ’s followers need not be afraid. God who rescued Jeremiah has promised to be with us too.

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.