Jeremiah had been tossed and chased and thrown by his own people for proclaiming the Word of God. But in a least expected way and from the least expected people he received kindness. God works in mysterious ways. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, handed Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard and told him:

📖 “Take him and look after him, and do him no harm; but do to him just as he says to you.” (Jere 39:12).

Wonder whether Jeremiah would have been surprised by this statement! We don’t know what made the Babylonian king utter this command. Perhaps the gentile king had heard about Jeremiah and his mission.

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon honoured and treated Jeremiah, the rejected, ridiculed weeping prophet with all the honour that was due to him in the midst of his people. Where his country men ashamed of treating Jeremiah in a harsh, cruel manner?

Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard found Jeremiah bound in chains among the exiles who were deported to Babylon from Jerusalem and Judah. Nebuzaradan told him:

📖 “And now look, I free you this day from the chains that were on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if it seems wrong for you to come with me to Babylon, remain here. See, all the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, go there.” (Jere 40:5)

Did Nebuzaradan find something different in Jeremiah that made him promise to take care of him? Was he in awe of the prophet who boldly kept on saying the word of God? Moreover he did not send Jeremiah empty handed. He sent him away with provisions and a present. Jeremiah was honoured in the midst of his people. Perhaps at last they realized their mistake.

Dear Ones in Christ, Christian life is not easy always. Neither is it thorny at all times. There are tough paths to tread on followed by unusual kindness from unexpected people. Never give up when the going gets tough.

It is God who is leading us in the way we ought to walk. Trust Him and keep moving forward. He will lead us, guide us and not forsake us. Never quit when life turns difficult. Good tidings are awaiting round the corner.

God bless us to be channels of blessings.

Mrs Sheela Jebakumar ✍️
January 02, 2021

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Jeremiah 37: 15-16 “They were angry with Jeremiah and had him beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary, which they had made into a prison. Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained a long time.”

Jeremiah was beaten and again imprisoned. He paid a significant price for remaining faithful to God and the message God gave him to deliver.

His message was not a popular one, because Jeremiah was not interested in popularity.
He was a faithful, diligent, burdened prophet who did what God called him to do.
The officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him and placed him in jail.

Faithfulness was no ticket out of trouble.
The situations that we pass through are not what we pick for ourselves.

Jeremiah would have certainly preferred to live in his own house in peace rather than sit in a prison
Yet he was able to see the good in his situation.

When life takes an unpleasant turn, stop and consider the situation.
Because God holds all authority, He directs all the events of our life.

Perhaps we may feel like a prisoner in our situation today….,
—– or maybe we’re even stuck in trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don’t despair, look up to God.
Even if we see only a glimmer of Him, trust in the Lord who has all authority.

Spend some time in prayer and cry out to God.
Intercede for others, those who are in trouble
Remain faithful even in difficult times.

Jooley Mathew Z
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