God Gives Us A Way Out - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) February 2, 2021

Welcome to a new month! Is it just me or is 2021 speeding by? That said, I thank the Lord because no matter how fast life seems to be, God is always by our side. This knowledge gives me great confidence in the moments when I feel down.

I am also encouraged when I read the Book of Jeremiah and understand that even when we've messed up, the Lord gives us a way out of our mistakes.

Prophet Jeremiah prophesied to the Jews that they would be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon for their sins. Despite that declaration, the Lord also gave them an out. Actually, a few - repent, serve Him, reject idols and observe the Sabbath day (Jeremiah 18:11; Jeremiah 21:11-14; Jeremiah 17:19-27). He also instructed His people to give Him glory (Jeremiah 13:15-17). And to the King of Judah, He said "...Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place" (Jeremiah 22:3).

Alas, the people did not take to God's multiple warnings and eventually, they were led into captivity.

Sounds like a sad story except when you realize that right in the middle of their excessive sin and disregard for their Creator, the Lord reached out His mighty and righteous arm to them. As a loving Father, He sought to rescue them and as a good Father, He knew they had to make the choice and take the necessary steps if they were ever to learn their lesson.

God is so kind, that even after declaring His judgment - captivity in a foreign land - He also let His children know that they would only be in Babylon for 70 years. After which, He would bring them back to the land He'd promised to their ancestors. Don't balk at the 'sentence'. Remember, the two nations of Israel had rejected God for 390 years (Kingdom of Israel) and 40 years (Kingdom of Judah) according to Ezekiel 4:4-8, God was just.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

What messes do we need an 'out' for? What mistakes have we made that offend the Lord? Let us in humility take this opportunity to ask God how we can remedy the situation. He will answer us, IJMN, Amen.

Please join us at Noon EST to praise the Lord, intercede for others and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is a blessed 'way out' of the messes we've created in our life and it lifts a sweet smelling fragrance to the Lord. Let us fellowship together and cause the Lord to overlook our mistakes.

God bless.