V. 10 God answered after ten days. The situation might have grown worse and fear of Babylon might have increased in this time. Whether they had asked for prayer with a trustful and obedient heart to God was revealed after this point. Patience is an act of faith. To pray in faith is to ask that the will of the Lord be done in his time.
Vv. 10-12 God knows about the people’s fear. Even so, God tells them not to avoid Babylon, but to stay in that land. God promises to show his compassion, be with them and save them. Even though the people in Judah did not obey the same commandment, he is willing to return his favor if they will obey. This is a difficult request for those who could not believe God is bigger than the nations around them. Is there fear and stress in my life because I do not fear the one I should fear, and am not concerned about the things I should be concerned about?
What lesson is God teaching me?
V. 4 Seeing Jeremiah’s words, ‘the Lord your God,’ it seems that he already knew their intention. That is why he said he would keep nothing back from them. They may have been affected by his words and thus listened without paying close attention. Do I want to know God’s will without hiding anything? Am I the leader who presents without hiding anything, even when it is different from what the audience wants to hear?
Please give me the heart to surrender my will, and to obey the will of the Lord.
