When They Say, "Peace, Peace...."

 I've mentioned before that I've been reading Jeremiah. Have you ever really dug into it? Something has really jumped out at me this morning. All of the prophets who were claiming that God would not punish or destroy the nation were reprimanded, punished, or even killed by God. He rebuked them because their message of "peace" was false. Jeremiah was trying to warn the people that the nation WOULD BE ruled by dictators. They would be scattered. Punishment WAS coming. It was inevitable.

Some didn't want to scare the people, so they spoke in God's name falsely, and assured them that their nation would be saved. They were wrong, and their false message was causing people not to repent because they believed that God would never really punish their whole nation.

The nation that turns against God, worships idols, committed all sorts of sexual sins, murdered babies, was not going to be rescued from the evil dictators who ruled over them. They would see their nation fall. Jeremiah's message was a warning that it was coming, but that God would protect and look out for the righteous...not for the entire nation.

I don't claim to know what is coming for America... but that message of "peace" and rescue for a nation that has spit in the face of God is one that I, myself have suggested. This morning I repented of that. God will do as He wills. Those who turn from evil and repent will be His people and He will watch out for them, no matter what happens to their nation.

That is what I'm getting from Jeremiah. My faith isn't to be in a belief that God will protect an entire nation of evil people. In fact, God told Jeremiah not to even pray for these people...for their good. At first, this seems to contradict Jesus saying to pray for your enemies, and I contemplated on that for a bit. It seems there is a difference between personal enemies...that bully at work/school, that family member who's harmed you, that neighbor who offended you...there's a difference between those personal enemies, who Jesus said to pray for, and the enemies of God: those who've pushed idol worship, adultery, and other rebelliousness against God, who have used their power and political influence to get rich from harming their constituents...the people they are supposed to represent.

God may not save America...but if you've repented and put your faith in HIM and not in some politician or political party to save you, God's plan for you is for a future and a hope...plans to prosper you and not to harm you. That's what I'm getting from Jeremiah right now. Faith in God means EVEN IF He doesn't choose to save America, I believe that He WILL save me if I follow and trust in HIM.

The thought that the nation would fall wasn't the popular one of Jeremiah's day, but it was the truth...and Jeremiah was sent to speak that truth, not to save the nation, but to inform the people how to escape the wrath of God. People see that as a message of fear, but that's a lie from satan himself. The message isn't "doom as gloom is coming to all!" The message is "God has made a way of escape...here's the map!" And in the end, God promised to restore that nation through those who followed that map, and not false teachings and political idols.