What can we learn about God's protection from Jeremiah 11:18? The Verse in Focus Jeremiah 11:18: “And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds.” - Jeremiah’s own townsmen were conspiring to kill him (v. 19). - Before they could strike, God unveiled the plot, demonstrating protective care. God as the Revealer of Hidden Dangers - The LORD “informed” and “showed,” emphasizing deliberate, proactive safeguarding. - Psalm 25:14—“The LORD confides in those who fear Him.” - 2 Kings 6:12—Elisha repeatedly received God-given intelligence of enemy plans. Key Lessons About God’s Protective Care • Active: Protection is not passive; God steps in with specific information. • Personal: The warning came straight to Jeremiah—God deals individually with His servants. • Timely: Revelation arrived before harm could occur. • Comprehensive: God exposed “their deeds,” giving full clarity. • Purpose-driven: Preserving Jeremiah ensured God’s message continued (vv. 21-23). How God Continues to Protect Us Today - Scripture: Equips and warns (2 Timothy 3:16-17). - Holy Spirit promptings: John 16:13. - Godly counsel: Proverbs 11:14. - Providential circumstances working for good: Romans 8:28. Our Part in Receiving His Protection • Stay receptive—daily Word and prayer sharpen spiritual hearing. • Obey promptly—delay invites unnecessary risk (James 1:22). • Trust completely—Psalm 56:3-4 replaces fear with faith. • Maintain integrity—unconfessed sin hinders guidance (Psalm 66:18). Scriptural Echoes of the Same Promise - Psalm 121:7-8—God guards “from all evil.” - Psalm 34:7—His angel “encamps around” and delivers. - 1 Corinthians 10:13—He limits trials and provides escape. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3—“The Lord…will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” Living Under His Shield - Protection may not remove conflict but guarantees divine oversight. - Expect God to expose schemes threatening His purposes. - Hebrews 13:8 assures that the Protector of Jeremiah remains unchanged today. Summary Takeaways • God proactively reveals threats. • His protection is personal, precise, and purposeful. • Listening and obedience keep us under His shield. • Jeremiah 11:18 stands as a timeless reminder of an ever-watchful, ever-faithful Protector. |
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