TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Please read Jeremiah 51:1–9
54 “A voice! A cry from Babylon! The noise of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans! 55 For the Lord is laying Babylon waste and stilling her mighty voice. Their waves roar like many waters; the noise of their voice is raised, 56 for a destroyer has come upon her, upon Babylon; her warriors are taken; their bows are broken in pieces, for the Lord is a God of recompense; he will surely repay. 57 I will make drunk her officials and her wise men, her governors, her commanders, and her warriors; they shall sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake, declares the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts. 58 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The broad wall of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned with fire. The peoples labor for nothing, and the nations weary themselves only for fire.”
Jeremiah 51:54-58
DEVOTIONAL
by Sandra Chua
In today’s reading, God has used Babylon to punish the sins of Israel. But Babylon had gone overboard, and God was grieved to see Israel suffer. He remembered His covenant, and God decreed the destruction of the land of the Chaldeans! The LORD made Babylon waste and stilled her mighty voice, bringing down her pride. The people of Babylon raised their voices in anguish because their warriors were taken. The once great city was now rendered defenseless. Their gates were burned. All their labor, everything they took pride in and wearied themselves for, was burned with fire.
Verse 56 declares, “for the LORD is a God of recompense; He will surely repay.” God was not blind. His heart was not unmoved. He loved Israel and has come to their rescue. But let us not also forget what caused the delay. Jeremiah 51:9 “We would have healed Babylon, but she was not healed. Forsake her, and let us go each to his own country, for her judgment has reached up to heaven and has been lifted up even to the skies.” God also gave Babylon time to repent. His mercies extended to them, but it was in vain. 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your righteous judgment and Your unfailing love for Your people. We pray for those who have strayed far from Your ways that they may hear Your call to repentance and turn back to You. May we also remember your patience and mercy, that we may not take Your grace for granted but strive to live in obedience and proclaim Your salvation to all. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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