One True Believer

Scripture: The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, "The Lord your God decreed this disaster on this place, and the Lord has fulfilled it. He has done just what He decreed. Because you people have sinned against the Lord and have not obeyed Him, this thing has happened." Jeremiah 40:2-3

Observation: When Jeremiah is found among the survivors of the destruction of Jerusalem, the captain of the guard releases him. However, he first makes this telling declaration - that the destruction of Jerusalem was foretold by the prophets, and was caused by the people's sin against God.

In other words, this Chaldean officer first knows about the current prophesies of likely Ezekiel (who is already in exile in Babylon) and Jeremiah himself. He possesses a firm understanding of those predictions, and the explanations behind them. He fully believes these prophesies, to the point that not only does he know them, but he can recognize Jeremiah and respects him enough to release him from captivity and give him total freedom, even inviting him first to come live in his own household under his protection. But mostly, the captain of the guard also believes in the power and authority of Yahweh ... he believes that the destruction of Jerusalem is not the result of the might of the Babylonian army he himself serves, but is actually the judgment of God passed against his rebellious people.

I am again reminded that the narrative of "the chosen people" represents only a subset of everything God was doing in the ancient world. Many other people groups believed in him. It was just that God was choosing to act in a specific way, for a specific time, through one family that he himself formed into a nation, and he did this specifically to reveal his love and purposes for the salvation for all mankind. This captain of the guard is simply one believer who happens to not be Jewish, but absolutely knows the work and hand of God when he sees it.

Application: What is to become of the Christians in North Korea?

We are in a terrible time in world history. It is simple to have an "us vs. them" mentality, and think through scenarios of conflict that protect "us". However, I repeatedly acknowledge that the United States is teetering on the brink of becoming a non-Christian country - and absolutely certain regions are well beyond the teetering point. So shouldn't "us" be the faithful believers?

The Lord is in all things, comforting all people, though not all receive or understand that comfort. Impending conflicts are going to create great pain in the world, as current disasters are already doing. I should take these all more personally, understanding that "my people" are everywhere, in every nation.

Prayer: Lord, please be with your faithful, and everyone else, in the stricken places of the world. We have disasters in our nation, and I ask for protection and comfort for those who a losing life and livelihood. We also have global conflicts driven by men of ego and anger. May those situations deescalate, but if they cannot may you be with your people in all the lands. Amen.