God's Message to His People in Troubled Days (Jeremiah 29:4-14)

Sermon Summary

Pastor David Yan

28 May 2023

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We live in troubled times. There is nothing new under the sun. Israel lived in troubled times. It was being chastised by God and would spend 70 years in captivity.

But God spoke to Israel in the midst of troubles as he does to us today. What does the Lord say?

He caused Israel to be in captivity. While Israel was unrepentant of its sins God was unrelenting of his wrath.

In captivity Israel was to live as normal a life as was possible. They were to build houses, plant gardens, enter into marriage and bear children.

They were to be good citizens. They must seek the peace of Babylon and pray for the Babylonians. Christians must pray for their leaders (1 Tim.2:2).

Israel was assured of a future. Chastisement was not the end. It was for the good of God's people (Jer. 24:5; Rom.8:28).

There would come a time of restoration of fellowship with the God. The Lord would again hear the prayers of his people when they are reconciled to him.

Babylon is a type of this ungodly world. Jesus entered his Babylon when he entered this world. His soul was deeply grieved when he saw the ungodliness around him. He endured pain and suffering for our good.

God's people must live in Babylon. In this Babylon we shall have tribulation. But the Lord is with us. The world may give us a hard time but we must not be cheerless; Jesus has overcome the world.

He speaks to us as he did to Israel. We shall be preserved. Let us acknowledge our Lord; live as normally as is possible always seeking the well being of our leaders. Be ever thankful for our reconciliation to our God through the Lord Jesus Christ.