Justice served.
King Zedekiah inquired of the Lord by sending a priest to Jeremiah, hoping that the Lord would deal with them "according to all His wonderful works." But judgment was at hand.
Jeremiah responded at length. Ultimately, the Lord gave them an option: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him." Jeremiah 21:8-9
The Lord had shown His people an abundance of grace, but the time had come for them to face the consequences of their rebellion. Even in judgment, the Lord extended mercy by giving them a way to live. They could surrender to the Babylonians and live, or remain in the city and face judgment.
To truly understand the grace and goodness of God, we must also understand His justice and holiness. Sin cannot simply be overlooked. God is perfectly just, and sin must be judged. This is where the wrath of God is revealed: His righteous response to sin and rebellion.
And yet, God has provided the answer to our greatest problem: Jesus Christ.
The evidence of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished is given to us, but salvation comes through faith in Him. We are called to repent, believe, and trust in Christ. In Him, God offers us the way of life.
Justice will be served. God's judgment against sin is real. Scripture warns that wrath will come upon the sons of disobedience. But God's mercy, grace, and love are also being poured out. He patiently calls sinners to repentance and offers salvation through Jesus.
2 Peter 3:9 reminds us: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
The question is whether we will stand before God in our sin or trust in the One who bore the judgment for our sin.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.