“The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, saying, 2 “Please inquire of the Lord for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps the Lord will deal with us according to all His wonderful works, that the king may go away from us.” 3 Then Jeremiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to Zedekiah, 4 ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the walls; and I will assemble them in the midst of this city. 5 I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger and fury and great wrath.” Jeremiah 21:1-5 NKJV
Awesome and Mighty God,
Ten years after Daniel and the leadership has been taken into exile, the Chaldeans (A tribe of the Babylonians) return to attack Jerusalem. They lay siege around it walls. King Zedekiah is naturally afraid, mainly for himself maybe? He asks Jeremiah for prophecy as the other prophets are silent. Having been proved wrong in the past.
Jeremiah does not give him any options this time as You, God are not going to. This time Jeremiah warns him that even You, God, will fight against him and Jerusalem. They knew what we are told in the New Testament (Hebrews 10:31), “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The Psalmist says, “I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” (119:60) He rushed not out of fear but because he wanted to serve You. A God of mercy and generosity.
So Lord, Am I afraid of You? Yes I think there is a little awesome fear as You are almighty, the Creator and Holy One and I am sinful. But You are also my Saviour, my Redeemer and my friend. I want to show my gratitude by doing what is right in Your sight. With no delay? Judgement and mercy. We deserve the one and You grant us the other – if we choose You and Your way.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 28th July 2026
A simple chorsu I like to sneak in once a year or so. It so reassures and blesses me.
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
That is wider than the deepest sea
And so I know it covers even me.
There’s a depth to His compassion
That is deeper than I’ll understand
And so my life is safe within His hands.
His love is deep enough for me
To cause these blinded eyes to see
To set this lowly captive free from sin.
His grace is flowing from above
Reflected in the Saviour’s love
O precious Father help me take it in.
Repeat
Lyrics: Geoff Baker