Praising God for what is up ahead Psalm 137 & 33:1-16

Why were the people of in ?

The people of and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done—they, their kings and officials, their priests and , the people of Judah and those living in . They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. They set up their vile images in the house that bears my Name and defiled it. They built high places for in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek

Jeremiah 32:32 - 35 What did God do?

I am about to give this city into the hands of the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people aroused my anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods

Jeremiah 32:28 & 29 God does not let evil practices go on forever

If people don’t repent and end them, God will

He seems particularly concerned about the treatment of children What did God promise?

This is what the LORD says: “When You will seek me and find me when seventy years are completed for you seek me with all your heart. I will Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill be found by you,” declares the LORD, my good promise to bring you back to “and will bring you back from this place. captivity. For I know the plans I have for you,” I will gather you from all the nations declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and places where I have banished you and not to harm you, plans to give you,” declares the LORD, “and will you hope and a future. bring you back to the place from Then you will call on me and come which I carried you into exile.” and pray to me, and I will listen to you. :10 - 14 What did God promise? there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, ‘Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures for ever.’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,” says the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:10 & 11 What did God promise?

‘“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will fulfil the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. ‘“In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from ’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Saviour.”

Jeremiah 33:14 - 16 What is up ahead for us?

• Forgiveness no matter what we’ve done • Jesus’ presence – nothing can separate us • Opportunity for a life as part of His plan • Sufficiency of His grace • Encouragement, help and support from our sisters and brothers • Eternity with Him