“Go out of the midst of her, my people! Let every one save his life from the fierce anger of the Lord!" -- Jeremiah 51:45

As this warning speaks of a literal removal from the ultimate judgment coming upon Babylon, there is further food for thought. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:17 (quoting from Isaiah 52:11), "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord..." This word of counsel is repeated again and again. God's people should live lives separated from a world system that is already under condemnation. John the Baptist said in John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." The distinction is clear.

It is the teaching of the Scripture that true believers will be caught up to be with Jesus before He comes to earth again. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) If you are living with such expectation my friend, don't root your life in a world slated for the wrath of God. Follow the counsel and direction of God as recorded in 1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 

"Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the Lord of hosts is his name." -- Jeremiah 51:19

The child of God has a wonderful privilege. Our portion in this life and the one to come is the Lord Himself. All our "stuff" will pass away or be left behind, but the Lord will be our blessed sufficiency throughout all eternity. Furthermore, the redeemed are precious to Him and are highly valued because they are His inheritance. No wonder Jesus says in Matthew 10:31, "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

The hymn writer Fanny Crosby tells us, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what foretaste of Glory divine, Heir of salvation, purchase of God..." When you walk with God, your life will be full my friend. Your cup will overflow because HE is your portion.

“In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to theLord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.’" -- Jeremiah 50:4-5

The work of God is focused on the bigger picture. Present days may seem incredibly dark and distressing, but future days of renewal are in view. The Lord desires the return and restoring of His people Israel to the everlasting covenant. Time is of little concern when the finished product is true repentance.

May we take heart from these verses my friend? For many lost souls, seeking the Lord will take time and much prayer by others. Patience and focus on the bigger picture will be needed. As the Lord has never given up on Israel, may we never give up on those wayward pilgrims in our lives? Wait on the Lord and look for the day when they will come to Him with true repentance.

"The horror you inspire has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as the eagle's, I will bring you down from there, declares the Lord." -- Jeremiah 49:16

This weekend is set apart every year to remember those who served in the military and gave their lives for their country. We honor these soldiers for their loyalty and faithful devotion. We are grateful for the freedom they have preserved for us to enjoy. But, while we remember those who gave so much, may we be careful to consider the One "who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness." (Isaiah 40:23)

Nations rise and fall as the Sovereign Lord determines. There has never been any nation that was so protected and firmly planted that was not brought down in its pride. As an American I speak with tremendous concern for our nation. We have been blessed by God in more ways than words can express, but we often act as if it we did all by ourselves. When our pride becomes more godless arrogance than grateful patriotism we are no different than the Edomites of this passage.

While you plan to picnic and relax in the "land of the free and the home of the brave" my friend, take time to pray for her. Come before the Lord in humility and express your gratitude for His blessings. Confess the sins of this nation of which you and I are citizens. Seek the face of God for a spiritual awakening and revival. Find your security in the Lord alone as your rock!

"For, because you trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken; and Chemosh shall go into exile with his priests and his officials.... Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he magnified himself against the Lord." -- Jeremiah 48:7, 42

I just read a short note from a good Christian friend. She spoke of her daughter who has concluded that God doesn't exist and lives life self-sufficiently. She grew up with two very gracious, gentle and godly parents who served the Lord in teaching and evangelism. The message and example was clearly provided every day of her early years, but she came to the personal conclusion that there is no God.

I truly grieve for this young lady and many others who are just like her. They are following in the path of the Moabites. They trust in their works and treasures. They literally magnify themselves against the Living God. And at the end of the day, without any repentance on their part, the words of Hebrews 10:30-31 will be sadly realized, "For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

You can reject the Lord, deny His existence and ignore His grace my friend, but a day is coming when "... at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11) Judgment Day didn't come on May 21, but it will most certainly come. And only those who bow the knee to Jesus in this life will be ready for that day.

"But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid." -- Jeremiah 46:27

No matter how we turn the pages, the Lord occasionally needs to discipline his people. Yet, while He will bring judgment upon the lost and unbelieving world, He will only correct and renew His children. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 30:5, "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

When the corrective hand of your heavenly Father rests upon you my friend, don't be dismayed. His purpose is far greater than you can understand. He will bring out the very best in you and ultimately give you "quiet and ease". Remember, "... He also predestined (us) to be conformed to the image of His Son" and, "...neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:29, 38-39)

"And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go." -- Jeremiah 45:5

When our disappointment and dissatisfaction comes down to the basics it's all about us. Serving the Lord can lead us into very demanding and far less rewarding situations than we imagined. Baruch had much higher hopes for his future than being an assistant to a ridiculed and rejected prophet. While God was dealing with the hard hearts of a very rebellious people after years of blessing them, this servant was more concerned with his own sorrow than with God's.

When you are greatly discouraged in the service of God, remember that He is at work in ways you cannot see, Yet, He will be sure to care for you in His way and His time. As the Lord heard Baruch, He assured him that he would be cared for in all places to which he might go. Seek not great things for yourself my friend, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)