It is Important to Never Quit

Jeremiah 25:1–14
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This message was given by Jeremiah during the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, the year Nebuchadnezar came to power (v. 1). Jeremiah had been prophesying for 25 years. He had spoken to the people again and again but they had not listened to his warnings to repent (vv. 2-3). God had given them plenty of time to respond, but they had refused. He had also sent other prophets who warned the people to turn from their evil ways and practices (vv. 4-7). The result of disobedience would be 70 years of captivity, not only for Judah but for the surrounding nations. This 70  years was a specified period of time.

As we know from other Scriptures, this was the length of time that Israel had failed to allow the land to enjoy a “Sabbath rest“. God had decreed that every seventh year the land was to lie fallow (Lev. 25:3-5). He stated that if the people would not heed this command He would remove them from the land to enforce this “Sabbath Rest“ (Lev. 26:33-35). Because the people had repeatedly rejected God’s warnings, God would summon the Babylonians (the peoples of the north) (vv. 8-11). Then after the 70 years were fulfilled God would also punish the Babylonians because of the guilt they had incurred (vv. 12-14). I once heard someone say that their favorite Scripture was, “And it came to pass...” When the challenges of life close in on us it is comforting to know that it hasn’t come to stay but that in its time it will pass. Under God’s sovereign program of judgment, Judah was warned many times but finally their day of judgment came.

Application

Imagine preaching the same message for 23 years and continually being rejected. Jeremiah faced this but he did not give up. Lord, help me to never quit no matter how difficult things may seem.