Reading
SAA Notes
In this series of messages to the nations, God uses Jeremiah to prepare the way for the exiles to return. Think about the effect of verse 8 over the next seventy years in the hearts and minds of believers back then. Jesus said similar words about Jerusalem.
SJA Notes
* Gracious Lord God, thank You for Your steadfast faithfulness that we see write large in Your word.
“Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.”
We read hear of the Lord speaking against the great kingdom of Babylon.
We know that within a generation and a night or three of Nebuchadnezzar the forces of the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon with much swiftness (in the night).
God opposes the proud and arrogant.
In the new testament book of James chapter 4 (and 1 Peter 5 as well) we read,
“There it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
We should realise then reading today’s passage that God opposes pride in individuals and also in groupings upwards, towns and cities and states and territories and nations themselves.
From the 1 Peter 5 passage we read on that the true mark of humility is submissions under the mighty hand of God (which is His will at work guiding us).
So this passage can be an exhortation for us to pray for those around us.
To pray for the lost! Those who reject God in their lives, by their behaviour, in little ways or big ways, by trying to ignore their Creator or by working actively against Him.
We are to be a people who pray for God to save (because it is Him alone in whom salvation rests).
So let us do that today.
* Mighty God,
Please save the lost around us Lord God. Our loved ones and our friends, the people we see around, and those we barely know.
Please teach us Your people true humility Lord God – Your mighty hand upon us, us submitting underneath it.
Yours is the kingdom Lord God, the power and the glory.
Amen.