“For many nations and great kings will enslave them, and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.’” vs14

God will repay the enemies of His people. He’ll use Satan to afflict us, and then cast him into hell, break his power on earth, and put him to open shame. He’ll use ungodly pastors and bad situations, but He’ll deliver us in due time, and our enemies will be shattered. It’s fearful to fight God’s people, and God will crush you suddenly. Repent. God has mercy on afflicted people that He’s chosen.

There’s two kinds of people in trouble: Good figs and bad figs [Jer 24]. Good figs can be eaten. They go into Babylon for their good and seek Him with a whole heart [Jer 24:4-7]. Bad figs are wicked! They go to Babylon, will not listen or bow, and they obtain no mercy. Though afflicted, they stiffen their neck until it’s broken. He cries out to them, but they will not hear [Jer 24:8-10].

A great thing happened today: A sinner, molested since childhood by a man who claims to preach sovereign grace, was set free from the bondage of corruption. Sexual sin became her norm, and God delivered her after more than a year of us talking. It was sudden. All of a sudden, she had peace, and the snare was broken, because Christ was crucified for her sins, and His sufferings were enough. It took a long time, however, for her to have this testimony:

1. First, she had to taste the power of sin

2. Then she had to resist counsel and knowledge

3. Then she had to try many worthless physicians, until she was SICK ENOUGH

4. Then she had to be convinced of grace!

God did it all, but it took time, so that her testimony is now great. He used Satan, used her false prophet, and He used her own sin, before turning her to glorify His name.

Now, the Devil is defeated! He lost another one of God’s elect. Now, her false prophet and the spell of men has been broken. Now, her own rebellious heart has been rebuked! God allowed all three to rule her, so He could humble her, bring her down, and then bring her to glorify Him mightily. She has a testimony that will help women everywhere and encourage preachers: it is a testimony of going to God, and it teaches us to keep going in ministry - to devote ourselves to His service, because it’s worth it.

The poor and needy seek water, but there is none;

their tongues are parched with thirst.

I, the LORD, will answer them;

I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. [Isa 41:17]

In this fashion, God delivers the oppressed, and bondage serves His purpose. In this way, enemies are destroyed.

What kind of person are you? Are you suffering for God’s glory, bowing to Him by faith, or are you causing suffering and oppressing His children? Are you preaching Christ so sinners can be set free, or are you indifferent to mankind’s sorrows, filling your own belly with yourself?

I don’t want to be the oppressor! I don’t want to be silent! I want to give myself to what God is doing, which is rescuing sinners oppressed by Satan! He’s got the time table, but He hears our prayers and uses our service.

But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation. [Jer 25:12]

In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans — in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. [Daniel 9:1-3]

Today, this woman and I wrestled in prayer and the word, and her sister gave the testimony that unlocked her prison!

Get involved, dear ones. Wait patiently, you children of hope. Sometimes the demon comes out through much prayer, but he must come out, because Jesus is stronger!