1-3 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord  came to him a second time: ‘This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord  who formed it and established it – the Lord is his name: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” 4-6 For this is what the  Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword in the fight with the Babylonians: “They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness. “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. 7-9 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity  and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honour before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.”

10-13 ‘This is what the Lord says: “You say about this place, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.’ Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, ‘Give thanks to the Lord  Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures for ever.’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,” says the Lord. ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In this place, desolate and without people or animals – in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks. In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 33:1-13 (New International Version)

What did God invite Jeremiah to do while he was still under guard in the courtyard? (vs 1-3)

He invited Jeremiah and the people to call on Him to confirm the amazing message that Jerusalem would be restored after being destroyed by the Babylonians. That seemed an impossible thought, except for the fact that He who made the earth is able to do 'great and unsearchable things'! It was more amazing when you consider what was happening in the city at that time. Even expensive homes were being demolished to use the rubble to build a defence against the army that was setting up mounds from which to attack the city! (vs 4-6)

Verses 7-9 go on to tell the good plans God had in store, and vs 10-13 take it further and describe how the city would again be filled with the sounds of joyful weddings. God says that even the surrounding villages and fields would again be filled with people and flocks. What had become a desolate waste would become a flourishing land once more. The nations of those days would be amazed and stand in awe of Jerusalem’s restoration.

Two thoughts struck me. Firstly, the fact that Jeremiah was under lock and key didn't stop God from giving His word to Jeremiah's heart. Prison and harsh treatment doesn't mean God was powerless to do anything, or didn't care about His messenger. Christians who've died under Communist and Islamic cruelty were not forsaken by God either. Their souls are with Him even now. The other thought was that we should pray as Paul did when he said: “I pray that out of God's glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church.” (Ephesians 3:16-21) Our God is mighty, let's never lose heart.