God is working out a plan to redeem His elect people from all the nations of the earth. We can be confident of His ultimate success and we must play our part in this grand plan.
Today’s reading: Jeremiah 3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3
15 “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16 And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the Lord, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again. 17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. Jeremiah 3:15-17
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3
Jeremiah paints a sad picture of the spiritual adultery of Israel and Judah, but, against that backdrop, he superimposes the triumph of God’s plan to gather to Himself all nations, redeemed and righteous, before Him. Again and again, the prophets assure us that God will win and His plan will succeed.
When we turn to Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, we find him diligently laboring to instruct them in the gospel of Jesus Christ and to exhort them to live holy lives. He asks for prayer “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored…” As zealous, disciplined, and knowledgeable as Paul was, the work he did would fail, but for God’s working in the hearts of the hearers. Prayer is needed because God’s power is needed.
God’s purposes cannot fail for He is sovereign. At the same time, you and I have a part to play. It may be to pray. It may be to heed the call to go proclaim the good news of life in Christ to some unreached group or even to your neighbor or coworker. God raises up shepherds to feed His people (Jeremiah 3:15) and He gifts each one in His Church to serve (1 Corinthians 14; Romans 12:3-8). If you have not done so, find your calling and do your part.
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