Jeremiah 15:21 “‘So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent.’”

PREREQUISITES

Isn’t this an encouraging verse?  The Lord is promising His people that He will deliver them and redeem them from the wicked and violent.  But there was a condition.  It was back in verse 19 when He said, “If you return, then I will restore you.”  You see the problem we have most of the time is we want to be delivered without returning.

We want God to deliver us from evil without acknowledging our own sins or returning to His commands.  But God just isn’t going to ignore our sin.  O, how He longs for us to return to Him so He can deliver us.  He really, really wants that.

TEACHING MOMENT

Picture your own child who you know is going down the wrong road.  You see where it is headed, but you can’t stop it.  And you can’t help them until they stop and come back to you for help.  Even then, you shouldn’t, unless they are willing to stop the things they are doing that is causing the problems.

We parents are faced with that challenge, aren’t we?  We want to help Little Elrod or Gertrude avoid those failures, but we know we have to let them make some before they realize they just CAN’T do as they please and expect to get by with it.  But the second they come to us, asking for help, we are ready and willing.

But, let’s get back to the verse today.  God promises us deliverance and redemption from those who would desire to harm us.  If we are walking with Him, He will snatch us out of their hands.  He will pull us from their grasp.  We may have some scars from having placed ourselves in their grip, but He will deliver us.

Father, You are all powerful.  You have the strength to pull me to safety, if only I will come back to You.  Thank You for delivering me!