But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see Thy vengeance on them: for unto Thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for He hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers. (Jeremiah 20:11-13)
GOD protected Jeremiah, not from the evil things that kept happening to him but through them. GOD knew the heart and mind of His prophet, just as He knows the hearts and minds of everyone. In His time, He will punish those that have wrought persecution against GOD's people, just as He did for Israel. He will deliver His people, not necessarily from disaster, or calamity, but will carry us through it for He cares for us. But, He also knows that trials strengthen our faith. Natural events are because we live in a sinful, broken world that was marred by sIn, and while GOD is still on the throne and in control, He allows such things to occur, and sometimes even uses them. We have to trust Him even in the face of disasters of every type, knowing that He is GOD and we are not. Our enemies, while seeming to prosper in this life, will be avenged or they will be saved and no longer our enemies.
In the meantime for the Christian, we are to pray for those that persecute us and despitefully use us, to forgive them so that a spirit of bitterness does not spring up, and that GOD will work things for good so that they might be saved. We are to do good, that they might be convicted by the Spirit of GOD and see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. It is not an easy task, but with GOD's help and in His strength we are to do it.
But, those of you who are not one of His, because you have never repented of your sIn and been born again by faith in His finished work on the Cross, GOD calls you to a different task. He is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth that GOD loves you, and while His wrath and punishment is upon you for your sIn, He has provided the only way you can be forgiven. He wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He wants you to receive Him by faith in His Word, and begin a life of discipleship and fellowship that is abundant and everlasting.
Praise Him for His deliverance, and share Him with those you meet.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
In the meantime for the Christian, we are to pray for those that persecute us and despitefully use us, to forgive them so that a spirit of bitterness does not spring up, and that GOD will work things for good so that they might be saved. We are to do good, that they might be convicted by the Spirit of GOD and see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. It is not an easy task, but with GOD's help and in His strength we are to do it.
But, those of you who are not one of His, because you have never repented of your sIn and been born again by faith in His finished work on the Cross, GOD calls you to a different task. He is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth that GOD loves you, and while His wrath and punishment is upon you for your sIn, He has provided the only way you can be forgiven. He wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He wants you to receive Him by faith in His Word, and begin a life of discipleship and fellowship that is abundant and everlasting.
Praise Him for His deliverance, and share Him with those you meet.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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