vindication and restoration

The LORD has brought about our vindication;

come, let us declare in Zion

the work of the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 51:10

When Israel was to be freed from Babylon, God prophetically decreed through Jeremiah that again at the temple, at Zion, they would praise God for His work. They would be vindicated. Their captors would not keep them. They would be free to praise God again. They would be home again in Zion where in grateful worship they would recount how God kept them and restored them.

What has been the worst of experiences would be made glorious and praise worthy. This is what their reality was:

• Babylon wiped out Jerusalem without mercy.
• Wealth was ransacked, treasures stolen, landmarks torn down.
• Death was everywhere. The strongest were killed in battle. The rest were led captive to Babylon.
• Captivity was lengthy. 70 years went by. Entire lifetimes were lived ignorant of the life that once was.

But God would turn it all around. And the tables would turn back to Israel’s restoration. The work that they would declare:

• The Chaldeans would be plundered by the Persians in retribution.
• Jews would be spared at this time.
• Their new captors would provide means favorable to Judah’s restoration.
• Jerusalem, the temple, and their new homes would all be restored in the land of the promise. Praise would erupt as new life rose from rubble.

God specializes in restoration. He uniquely graces our broken lives with new beginnings. He leads us through our exile experiences to find renewed hope and joy! He disciplines us for our good so that we might declare His work in praise to all who will hear. He restores our joy so that our hearts are once again unburdened. He vindicates us and then HE gets the glory. Oh, how my soul knows this!