Jeremiah 4:19-31

“For this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above be dark; for I have spoken; I have purposed; I have not relented, nor will I turn back.” (Jeremiah 4:28, ESV)

Jeremiah was the bearer of bad news. He could not escape the awareness that the Babylonians would soon invade the nation and destroy Jerusalem. While other prophets were saying, “Peace, peace,” he was the prophet of doom and gloom. And yet everything Jeremiah said came to pass. Judgment came swiftly on an unsuspecting people. It will happen again.

“For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3–10, NKJV)

The Day of Judgment will surely come upon this world. Thankfully, God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not children of darkness, but children of the day. Therefore, we must turn from the deeds of darkness and walk in the light as He is in the light. We must be watchful and ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect (Luke 12:40).

Have I put on faith and love as my breastplate? Am I wearing the helmet of the hope of salvation? These things will protect me from evil thoughts, which are the devil’s fiery darts. One day the trumpet will sound, and our Lord Jesus Christ will come to take us home!