August 14, 2016: SOAP #2446:  Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 16:14 “However, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when men will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’  15 but they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ For I will restore them to the land I gave to their forefathers

Observation:   In the days of the Gospels and the Book of Acts, one can find many references to God’s great miracle working power in delivering Israel from Egypt.  But those who are alive today do not have to go all the way back to the book of Exodus to see God’s had at work in Israel.  We need only to look at 1948 when Israel was re-birthed as a nation and people came from all over the planet to the homeland God gave the Jews.  (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:7 and 18-21)

Application:   If I ever think that God does not keep His promises, I need to just consider Israel.  If I ever think that God cannot work out the circumstances surrounding my live, I need to just consider Israel.  If I ever doubt God’s concern in the affairs of man, I need to consider Israel.   Israel is a nation planted among the nations of the earth as a banner of testimony to God’s judgment on sin and willingness to restore.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, in your holiness you judged Israel for their backsliding; in your love you have and are restoring them.  If I ever doubt your desire to be involved in my life, bring Israel to my mind.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!