“When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.’ ” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.” (Jeremiah 51:63–64, ESV)
There is a famous evangelistic sermon often attributed to a former baseball player and American evangelist, Billy Sunday titled, “Payday Someday.” However, the sermon was actually written and preached by R. G. Lee pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee. The sermon dealt with the truth of sin, divine justice, and judgment.
We need to consider the depth of those two words, “payday someday,” when combined. This phrase presents a universal truth. The Bible repeatedly teaches that one reaps that which they sow. Yet the phrase, “payday someday,” puts a heavy note on those who sow iniquity.
Towards the end of the book of Jeremiah, the Lord gives the prophet a prophecy regarding Babylon, an idolatrous nation that worshipped false gods and one whose savagery in their military aggression against other lands was well documented. They had attacked and decimated the Southern Kingdom, destroying Jerusalem and the temple. The Lord gave a prophetic word that Babylon would be completely destroyed by forces from the north, never to be rebuilt again.
In this passage we see that Jeremiah had a man named Seraiah accompany Zedekiah, king of Judah, to Babylon. While the reason for Zedekiah’s trip to Babylon is not mentioned, it is possible that Nebuchadnezzar summoned him.
Jeremiah told Seraiah to read the words of the judgment that would come upon Babylon. Then he was to tie a stone to the book and cast it into the Euphrates stating, “Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her.” For Babylon there was a payday coming someday.
But when would this payday come? While some attribute the payday as referring to the defeat of Babylon by Persia, the prophesy indicated that the land of Babylon would be “desolate forever” Jeremiah 51:62. Thus it seems that the complete fulfillment of this prophecy is to come in the future when the enemies of Israel shall be decimated.
Let us consider this as it might apply today. First, there is an individual application. The Scripture indicates that “all have sinned” Romans 3:23 and that the penalty for sin is eternal death Romans 6:23. You see, there is a “payday someday” for those who will die in their sins because they have not trusted in Jesus who paid the penalty of sin through His death on the cross.
Second, there is a national application. The psalmist indicated, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12, ESV) Babylon did not seek the one true God but trusted in their false gods. Thus, the national judgment was guaranteed.
Today it is sad to see that many nations that were once dedicated to the Lord our God have fallen away, no longer seeking God and His ways. Instead, they have replaced a heavenly focus with humanism. In short, they have made man to be the supreme being and not God. I fear for our nation today as I see the same trends of humanism sweeping America.
Pray for our nation that we will nationally repent, turning our hearts towards the Lord. Pray hard because there is a “payday someday.”
