Thought for August 12th. “THEY SHALL FEAR AND TREMBLE”

Who will “fear and tremble”? What will be the cause?  We follow on from yesterday’s thoughts and read and reflect on the remarkable latter day prophecy given to Jeremiah while he is “shut up in the court of the guard” [33 v.1]   His situation was a real trial of his faith – and we should ponder what kind of desperate situations we might experience in the “time of trouble, such as there has never been … But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” [Dan. 12 v.1] How long before this time?  God has not provided a calendar, but he has provided signs! Israel regathered and turmoil in and around the Holy land! The verses at the end of Daniel 11 are but one place where the signs are described..   Jesus said, “for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” [Matt 24 v.22] About his people, now in terrible trouble, Jeremiah is told, “I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security, I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel … and this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.” [ v.6,7,9] God then tells Jeremiah, “In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness … Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called, ‘The LORD is our righteousness.” [v.15,16]  Imagine the feelings of the prophet as he, in his anxieties over all that is happening, and his personal situation, receives this divine message. Now switch the perspective to the 21st Century and the potential, before Christ comes when  “they shall fear and tremble…” [v.9] but while those who do not know God’s word will do so out of great anxiety, those who do know – and most surely believe his word, shall, says the Lord to Jeremiah, “fear and tremble because of all the prosperity I provide … there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride …” [v.10]   Let us make sure we are part of the bride; meditate on Rev. 19 v. 7-9.