Growing with the Lord

8/21/26 Jeremiah’s pronouncements of imminent destruction and John’s vision of spiritual continuity establish opposing temporal horizons—one announcing catastrophic judgment, the other affirming eternal preservation. Psalm 118 bridges both by celebrating divine vindication that transcends immediate crisis. Jeremiah announces that God will repel Judah’s weapons and fight against the people “with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, rage, and great wrath.” ( Jer 21:4–14 ) The prophet presents a stark choice: those remaining in Jerusalem will perish by sword, famine, and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Babylonians will survive. ( Jer 21:4–14 ) God emphasizes His sovereignty by declaring that He made the earth and gives it to whomever He chooses, having placed all lands under Nebuchadnezzar’s authority. ( Jer 27:5–13 ) Yet within this devastation, God distinguishes the exiles as “good figs,” promising to keep His eyes on them for their good, return them to the land, bu...