August 26, 2017: SOAP #2823: Jeremiah 50-51; 3John

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 50:18 Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.  19 But I will bring Israel back to his own pasture and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.

Observation:   God makes a difference.  He does not treat all people the same.  He punished Israel by having the Babylonians rule over them.  God was also preparing to punish the Babylonians for their sins.  The difference was that God would restore Israel, but there was no promise of restoration for Babylon.  Through Israel would come the promised Messiah!

Application:  If I want to endure tribulation—if I want the promise of a blessed future, then I must become a part of what God has promised to bless!  I must place my life in position to receive God’s promised blessings and to avoid God’s promised punishments!  God has promised to punish the sinful world; if I remain depending on the world I will share in its eternal punishment.  However, God has made great eternal promises to The Church!  If I become a part of His true church, I will share in its eternal blessings.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I repent and turn away from sin.  With my words, I confess that Jesus is my Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me and taking the place as the Complete Sovereign in my life.  Align my life to receive your eternal blessings.  My life is now yours, to be lived for your joy and benefit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!