July 18, 2026 - Jeremiah 29-32

I always find myself pausing at chapter 29.  In the future, the people would be forced from their homes.  One day they would return (Jer. 25:11-12; 29:29:10).  But until that future point they were living in the in-between times.  To comfort and encourage the exiles Jeremiah wrote a letter to them.  The prophet’s advice to his fellow countrymen can be summarized in five statements:

1) Keep doing all the good things you have been doing (vss. 5-6).  Every season is a good time to do what is right.

2) Keep on looking outward (vs. 7).  In every season, good and bad, we must not withdraw into ourselves and forget to do good toward others.

3) Be discerning (vss. 8-9).  Jeremiah counseled, “Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you.”  We must always hold to the truth and reject falsehoods.

4)  Trust in the Lord (vss. 10-14).  Of course!  And so must we.  In every season of life.

5)  Let the Lord deal with your adversaries (vss. 15-23).  We do not seek revenge against those who harm us.  We know that God will deal justly with those people.  How faithful is our God!

Children of the heav’nly Father,

Safely in his bosom gather;

Nesting bird nor star in Heaven

Such a refuge e’er was given.

Lo, out very hairs he numbers,

And no daily care encumbers

Those who share his ev’ry blessing,

And his help in woes distressing.

God has given, he has taken,

But his child is ne’er forsaken;

His the loving purpose solely

To preserve us, pure and holy.   -- Carolina Sandell (1855)