Loss Of Hope

Jeremiah 52

On September 11, 2001, America watched as terrorists attacked our nation. 4 passenger jets were crashed, 3 of which struck their intended targets. One struck the Pentagon, two struck the Twin Towers, and one crashed into a Pennsylvania field. 2,996 died in the attack and many others would later die from exposure to chemicals in the rescue attempts. As the rest of America watched, a sense of hopelessness struck many. Three well known symbols of America had been attacked and two of them were destroyed. People dying, symbols destroyed, and fear of the unknown led to others sinking into depression, substance abuse, and suicide.

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Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, †captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, 13 And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire: 14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.

Jeremiah 52:12-14

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If this is how Americans felt following an attack that we survived, can you imagine how the people in Jerusalem and Judah must have felt? Nebuchadnezzar was fed up with their rebellion and he decided to squash it once and for all. The city was surrounded and people were literally starving to death. Some tried to escape but they were captured and killed. The king was captured and taken to Nebuchadnezzar. There, he watched as his sons were killed in front of him. Then, they gouged out his eyes and put him in prison until he died.

Still not satisfied, and wanting to completely crush the Jews spirit, Nebuchadnezzar sent his captain to burn the city to the ground. The Temple was destroyed, the precious metals were taken to Babylon, the houses of the wealthy were burned, and the walls were destroyed. Jerusalem was in ruin. All hope seemed lost.

Why did God allow this? As crazy as it sounds, for the same reason that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city; to crush the pride of the Jews. Just like Nebuchadnezzar, God was fed up with the rebellious spirit of the Jews. Just like Nebuchadnezzar, God was tired of their disobedience. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, God allowed this to bring about good for the people whom He loved. Nebuchadnezzar did not care about the Jews. For him, it was about conquest.

The Jews were a very proud people. They did not want to submit to the authority of anyone, including God. Solomon wrote, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). This time, the Jews were broken. They were hopeless. In that brokenness they looked to God. Through this, they would turn from pagan worship. They would not be a perfect people but idol worship was gone. This was the start of them truly seeking God. In time, they will be the primary preachers of Jesus. That day is yet to come. God is still drawing them to Himself, but that path began in our text today. God knows what he is doing when he allows the good and the bad in our lives.

What about us? What about our lives are we being stubborn and refusing to submit to God? We all have areas where we say, "God you can have this part of my life, but not that. That is mine. I am going to remain in control of this part of my life." Solomon also said, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). May we today trust God will all our hearts and all of our ways.

Father, help me to obey you and to not have to be crushed to break my stubborn pride. When trials come, may I not resist you and try to do my own thing. Strengthen my faith so that I trust you and do not try to lean upon my own understanding.