“Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.”
(Jeremiah 50:34)
The strength of our Redeemer is a source of deep comfort to the people of God. For He is not only willing to help us; He is also able to do so. The Lord of hosts is His name, so no adversary is too powerful, no captivity too secure, and no accusation too strong for Him to answer. Even when His people are brought low, despised, or feel abandoned, our Redeemer remains strong.
This passage in Jeremiah 50 concerns the Israelites’ deliverance from Babylon. God’s people had been carried away, oppressed, and mocked, while their enemies seemed secure. Yet the Lord declared that He would thoroughly plead their cause. Their captivity would not be permanent, nor would the pride of Babylon endure forever. The Redeemer would act for His people, give them rest, and disturb those who had troubled them.
This example in history illustrates a spiritual truth. Christ stands at the right hand of the Father as the Advocate of His people. When accusation rises against them, He pleads their cause. Their hope does not depend on their ability to answer every charge from conscience, Satan, or memory. Because their Redeemer speaks for them, and His advocacy rests in the sufficiency of His own person and work.[1]
This truth becomes especially precious in seasons of spiritual drought. When a believer lacks the sense of God’s love, he may be tempted to conclude that he has been forgotten. Yet this absence of comfort does not mean the absence of Christ’s intercession for He remains at the Father’s right hand, ever pleading the cause of His people.
Christ promised the Comforter to His disciples when He returned to the Father. He told them that the Holy Spirit would come, would testify of Himself, would bring His words to remembrance, and would make His presence known in another manner.
So let us look to Christ as the One who is strong to redeem, faithful to plead, and compassionate to comfort. Even when assurance weakens and the sense of His presence diminishes, His strength, intercession, and promised Spirit remain firm.
Contemplations:
- Thank You That My Redeemer Is Strong. You are the Lord of hosts, able to overcome every enemy and break every captivity. Even when I feel surrounded, oppressed, or spiritually weak, You remain unchanged. You are able to act when I cannot, defend when I am unable to answer, and bring rest where I see no way of escape.
- Thank You That You Plead My Cause. You are at the right hand of the Father as Advocate for Your people. When my memory brings past sins before me, or when I feel unable to defend myself, You thoroughly plead my cause. You answer every charge by what You have accomplished. I praise You that Your intercession continues even when my sense of peace is weak and my assurance feels distant.
- Thank You That You Do Not Abandon Me in Spiritual Desertion. When I lack the felt sense of Your love, I am tempted to think that You have withdrawn altogether. Yet I thank You that Your absence in my experience does not mean Your absence in truth. You still know me, still represent me, and still care for my soul.
- Thank You for Sending the Comforter. I am grateful that You did not leave Your disciples without comfort when You ascended back to the Father, and You do not leave Your people without help now. You send the Holy Spirit to testify of You, bring Your truth to remembrance, and make Your presence known because You know that the soul needs the inward work of the Spirit. Thank You that the Comforter is given to strengthen, reassure, and direct my heart back to You.
Prayer (Thanksgiving):
Strong Redeemer, You are the Lord of hosts, and no enemy can prevail against Your power. You are able to deliver from trouble, inward captivity, and every accusation that rises against Your people.
Thank You for thoroughly pleading the cause of those who belong to You. You stand at the right hand of the Father as Advocate, and my hope rests in Your intercession.
I praise You that Your advocacy does not cease when my comfort weakens. In seasons when I do not feel the warmth of Your love, You remain faithful. My sense of Your presence may change, but Your work for me does not.
Thank You also for sending the Comforter to Your people. You did not leave Your disciples helpless, and You do not leave us without help now. By the Holy Spirit, You testify of Yourself, bring truth to remembrance, and renew consolation.
Thank You that You are strong when I am weak, present when I feel deserted, and faithful when my confidence is shaken.
Through Jesus Christ, keep me thankful for Your strength, Your intercession, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Isa. 41:14; Isa. 43:14; Prov. 23:11; Exod. 6:6
[1] Jeremiah Burroughs, Christ Inviting Sinners to Come to Him for Rest, (Crossville, TN: Puritan Publications, 2017) Chapter 46.
