Our Vindication

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 51

Scripture Focus: The Lord has brought about our vindication; come, let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God. (Jeremiah 51.10)

Devotional Thought: There are times and seasons in history when it seems that God's people are under the boot of oppressive ideologies and powers: Joseph in prison, Israel in Egypt, Paul bound by Caesar, the Church under Rome.  But, God's people are always vindicated.  Jeremiah saw this vindication in the utter destruction of Babylon, the oppressor of Judah.

Though a very real and oppressive enemy of the people of God, Babylon is also representative of the spiritual enemy of God's people.  We see God vindicating his children when he turns the table on his enemies:

·       Babylon as the instrument of God's renewal: "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom" (Ezra 1.1).  God used the monarch in Babylon to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

·       Babylon as a place of God's people: "She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings" (1 Peter 5.13).  Peter, imprisoned in Rome (figuratively Babylon), sent a letter of encouragement to those oppressed by Rome.

·       Babylon as recipient of God's wrath: "Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come" (Revelation 18.10).  For shedding the blood of saints, Babylon was destroyed.

"For [Christ] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15.25-26).  Our vindication will be complete.  "Let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God!"

Prayer: Jesus, on the cross you defeated all your enemies and brought about our vindication.  We praise your mighty name forever!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 126.1-6

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them. ”

3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.