His words are true, His timing is perfect.
Jeremiah delivers his final recorded prophecy concerning Babylon's fall at 593BC, during Zedekiah's fourth year. Jerusalem wouldn't be destroyed until 586BC, and Babylon wouldn't fall until 539BC (Daniel 5:28). Over 50 years before its fulfillment! Likely a prophecy Jeremiah wouldn't live to see fulfilled.
"Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, As I have punished the king of Assyria. But I will bring back Israel to his home, And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and in that time," says the LORD, "The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve." Jer 50:18-20
When we look at the bigger picture, we should recognize something: His words are true, and His timing is perfect!
Jeremiah remained obedient to the Lord regardless of his circumstances. It couldn't have been easy to deliver these words or to receive them. During his lifetime many likely questioned whether these words were from the Lord or would ever come to pass.
Yet God's words stood the test of time. What He declared came to pass according to His purposes & timing.
And just as God's words concerning Babylon proved true, we can trust His promises concerning what is still to come: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."" Rev 21:4
What a glorious promise! We may not know when that day will come, but we can trust the One who promised it!
His words are true. His timing is perfect.
Do you believe that? Does it shape the way you live?
It should! It should affect how we live, love, & respond to the circumstances around us. Even when we don't understand, let's trust Him!
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.