Who do you hope brings you relief? Jeremiah 37-41

Jeremiah 37:5, 8-9 (NASBStr)

(v. 5) Meanwhile, Pharaoh’s army had set out from Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who had been besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they lifted the siege from Jerusalem.

 (v. 8,9)  ‘ Thus you are to say to the king of Judah, who sent you to Me to inquire of Me:“Behold, Pharaoh’s army which has come out for your assistance is going to return to its own land of Egypt. The Chaldeans will also return and fight against this city, and they will capture it and burn it with fire.”’ Thus says the Lord, ‘Do not deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely go away from us,” for they will not go.

Relief is not salvation!!  That would be the big idea to the verses in the above section of Jeremiah's prophecy.   When Babylon (the Chaldeans) besieged the city of Jerusalem, the nation of Israel was fearful of what the Chaldeans would do to them.  The even prayed to be rescued.  They remembered the time of the Judges when, despite their sin, they prayed to God and God would send a deliverer.   So, when the Egyptian army had set out toward Jerusalem they thought they had some relief.   Yet, Jeremiah is sent a message by God that this momentary "relief" from the discipline of God would not last.   Jeremiah told them the Chaldeans would return and take the city.   The nation, however, fell into a false sense of ease and peace, thinking Egypt was their salvation.   The nation had not looked to God for salvation.  They had not repented to bring in salvation.   The mistakenly thought that the world could save them.   How many times do we fall into the same trick.   We sometimes think counseling can save a marriage.   Counseling can lead us to God who can save a marriage, but the counseling is only a method, not the source of salvation.    People put their faith in a church or pastor and give them credit for turning their life around.  Yet, God only uses those tools to bring others to His Salvation.   The world or tools or temporary and earthly people, places and things can't bring permanent relieft.   God brings salvation through the person of His Son and no other way.   We are to lean on Him and not on our education, our positions, our friends, our churches, our pastors, etc.