It is sometimes difficult to see the silver lining, to see God’s gracious hand in difficult times.  Our Scripture readings help us to do just that…In Exile – The exiled people of Judah would one day rejoice to learn that they were returning to their homes…we rejoice in the most difficult times knowing that heaven is our home. True Repentance – It is embarrassing when we are led into sin; but it is cause for rejoicing when the Spirit leads us to sorrow over sin and trust in Jesus for forgiveness. Evil Times – No matter how evil this world becomes, we keep on ‘eating’ Jesus’ Word and are strengthened and comforted for life apart from sin and death…which is surely coming to us in Christ.

We live in a time when very few value human life.  Some would kill unborn children. Others have killed only because of the ethnic background of the other. The Lord God values every human life and sends us to speak of His Son, that others may be saved for eternal life. The LORD God sent Jeremiah to the capital of the unfaithful nation of Judah to foretell destruction.  God’s purpose was that they repent of their sin and return to Him. The Lord Jesus’ disciple Peter calls upon us to turn from sin and return to the Savior, preparing our hearts by looking to Jesus. Jesus refused to be distracted from saving sinners…for He came to save people’s lives…not destroy them.

It was God’s Mercy that did not abandon the unfaithful Israelites…but instead promised to go with them.  So also, even as Moses could not see God’s Face and live, so we cannot stand in the presence of God except in Christ. It was God’s Mercy that made those to whom John wrote…God’s Children and kept them in faith and made them strong with His Word. It was God’s Mercy that enabled 70 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom and cast out demons.  It is His mercy that has written our names in the Book of Life.

Unfortunately, in the process of enduring difficult times we sometimes think that WE are the only ones suffering.  Such thinking is truly foolish. Abraham’s Trial of Faith…he was called upon to offer up his only Son, Isaac.  It was unthinkable, and yet Abraham passed the test and was willing, believing that God would raise up his son. Jesus’ Trials and Temptation…He was tempted as we are, yet without sin.  For this reason He is a real help when we are under trials and temptations. Jesus’ Focus in Trial…while Peter thought Jesus should avoid it and stop talking suffering and dying.  Without Jesus’ death we cannot be delivered from sin. 

What face do we see in our mind’s eye when we think: Human Wisdom?  Is it Albert Einstein (E=MC²) or Carl Sagan or Stephen Hawking? The people of Jeremiah’s day counted themselves wise yet proved themselves fools by rejecting the Word and Wisdom of God. They would be judged. God didn’t reveal the way of Salvation by Human Wisdom, but  through a message often rejected, that Jesus the Son of God died for sinners.  God still uses the message to save, and to lead people to boast in Jesus.  The Religious leaders of Jesus day were smart enough to see Jesus’ miracles and understand they were real, but they were still foolish enough to dismiss them and kill him…seems foolish to me.

Be assured that Satan wants to keep the Gospel of Jesus from being proclaimed in this world. 

It was Satan that led the nations of Judah and Israel to reject God’s Word and silence God’s Prophets…but God sent Amos.

It was Satan that led the Jews to have Paul arrested for proclaiming Christ.  Paul refused to be silent.  He told his captors about Jesus and this made others bold to speak.  People’s motives for sharing Christ may be wrong…but God can still bless the message.

It was Satan that first distracted Martha. When she heard the word of Christ, she found real lasting comfort.