“How to be Blessed in The Coming Judgment”
April 14, 2013
Jeremiah 40:1-5
“The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon. When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster for this place. And now the LORD has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the LORD and did not obey him. But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.” However, before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.”
Then the commander gave him provisions and a present and let him go.”
Last week I talked about the Judgment that was coming on America and why. It was kind of scary. We, as a country have sinned greatly, and consequently, judgment is coming.
This morning I want to share with you some things that will help you prepare for that judgment; things that will give you confidence and hope -not fear. Don’t get me wrong. America had better wake up. She better be very afraid of the Coming Judgment- to do otherwise is foolish. But I have discovered even in the midst of the destruction and death - there is hope. The man or woman of God can have a peace that is beyond understanding. We can have a confidence that is amazing. We can possess a joy in the midst of any storm that is awesome.
In the midst of all the scary stuff going on; in the midst of the warnings from God; even when things begin to fall apart- remember that God loves you. Don’t take that love for granted like the people in Jeremiah’s time did – but don’t forget it either. Because of that love you don’t have to fear. How is that possible? The Bible says,
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment...” 1 John 4:16-18
We can have confidence on the Day of Judgment. We do not have to fear the Day of Judgment. How can that be? Because if we are in a love relationship with God – First of all, Remember - He has a hedge of protection around us. Remember Job? Satan says to God,
“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.” Job 1:10
God has a hedge of protection around His loved ones. He loves to bless His children. Sure, bad things happen to God’s people sometimes because we live in a fallen world. Those that choose to live godly will experience persecution, the Bible says. But nothing will happen to you that God can not use for your good. One of our favorite verses is Romans 8:28,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Another is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
When we walk with Him we are in His care and under His protection. We don’t even have to fear the Great Tribulation that is coming soon. Jesus says,
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” Revelation 3:10
God is able to keep us from the trials that are coming. I don’t know how – but I know why. Because He loves us. We may escape the trials and tribulation that is coming by having God rapture us out first. I don’t think so, but it’s possible. It may be we will be here like the Children of Israel in Egypt – but like them – we will be protected in a sheltered place. It doesn’t matter to me so much HOW it will happen – as it does that it WILL HAPPEN.
We need to understand that God is a God of love. He LOVES to love.
The people knew that. In another place they prayed,
“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Nehemiah 9:1
God is abounding in love. He is forgiving. He is gracious. He is compassionate. He is slow to anger. Protection is just one expression of that love. In our Scripture, poor old Jeremiah had been thrown in a muddy well, he had been put in chains, locked up for a long time in an underground dungeon. Adam Clarke says, “The dungeon was probably a deep pit; with the cabins or cells, niches in the sides, where different prisoners were confined.”
When Nebuzaradan found him he was bound in chains among the captives being taken into exile to Babylon. But God never left him. And when everyone was being taken from their home – Jeremiah was freed to do as he wished.
See – God is not limited to the physical. When everything is being destroyed – He can build. When everyone’s finances are disappearing – God can prosper you. When all are being cursed – God can still bless you.
Jeremiah was imprisoned and abused by his own people. But God used the enemy to bless him. Even those people who were faithful that were taken to Babylon prospered there. The Judgment is coming – but let not your heart be troubled – put your faith and trust in the Savior. He will protect you in times of trouble.
Because of God’s great love for us, 2. He will deliver you in times of trouble. Remember Daniel? He was taken into captivity to Babylon. He went through his trials; he faced the lions - but God delivered him. He came out of it as one of the greatest leaders in the entire kingdom.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were taken captive to Babylon. They wouldn’t compromise. Instead of being killed they were delivered from the fiery furnace and then put in places of honor and leadership. David was pursued by King Saul. He had spears thrown at him and armies attacked him – but he was able to say,
“You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me.” Psalm 18:43
God is not only our fortress; not only does He protect us – but He is also our deliverer. David testified,
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:16-19
I love that! “He rescued me because he delighted in me.” God loves you. He is delighted with His children when they walk with Him. In that loving relationship He doesn’t take us out of the world – but He will deliver us when we need Him to.
He protects us. He delivers us. And one more thing I want you to remember. 3. God prepares us. One of the most quoted and best loved Scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11. But we lift it out of its context. Let me read it with the Scriptures that are before it.
“This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Jeremiah 29:10-14
These people have sinned and they are suffering the consequence of their sins. They are going into captivity for seventy years. Last week we mentioned three huge sins they were guilt of.
1. They shed innocent blood. (abortion)
2. Their sexual practices were an abomination (homosexuality)
3. They willfully broke God’s law (hedonism)
But God still loves them. God has plans for them. He has wonderful plans to bless and prosper them. That’s what He desires to do. Because of their sins God has to hide his face from them. Sin separates from God. But God gives them this promise as they go into exile. He reveals His heart to them. He reveals His plans to them. He wants them to know that He loves them. So He gives them hope.
One of the things they did that caused God’s judgment to fall on them was to serve Him in form only. They served Him half-heartedly. They only had a form of religion. God said,
“The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched
and the pastures in the wilderness are withered. The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly. “Both prophet and priest are godless;
even in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 23:10-11
See, they didn’t ‘reject’ God per se. They still went to the temple. They still said their prayers. They still burned their sacrifices. But it was all form. It was just a shell of religion. There was no relationship. There was no seeking after God. They did their own thing and went their own way and then threw a few coin in the basket and said a few prayers. Sound familiar? That’s the state of the Church in America. Paul warned Timothy of the End times,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
If that doesn’t describe our world today – I don’t know what does. “Having a FORM of godliness...” But there is no power in it to change lives. 80 to 90 percent of Americans claim to be religious. They claim to believe in God. They claim to have a relationship with Him – but few pray; few go to church; fewer yet seek to live a life of obedience. We are just like Israel as judgment was about to fall on them. But – and here’s the good news – even this judgment was an expression of God’s love. He still had plans for them and even in exile He was preparing them for the future.
Folks, judgment may fall on America, but I want you to know that even in the midst of it God will be preparing you for future glory. The Word says,
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.” 2 Timothy 2:11-12a
God is preparing us for the future. God has great plans for us. We are going to rule and reign with Him. He is going to honor us with glory. I have no idea what all that means – but I have enough of the word of God; I have enough of His promises to make me think that even during the Coming Judgment He will use it to prepare us for honor and glory. God will –
1. Protect us
2. Deliver us
3. Prepare us.
So what does that tell us. It tells me to be faithful. It tells me to trust in God. It tells me that though things may be dark for a time – good things are coming. HOLD ON! Endure to the end! Folks, God is saving the best for last. May God find us faithful. It will be worth it.
SONG
