READING: Jeremiah 32-34
Sometimes the Word of God is just gloriously overwhelming. There’s so much in a single day’s reading that it’s almost impossible to summarize. Today is one of those days, so here are some truths that grab my soul today:
- In these three chapters, phrases like, “declares the Lord,” “This is what the Lord says,” and “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah” occur 39 times. It’s likely this repetition was necessary because false prophets in Jeremiah’s day were speaking lies and because the leaders and people did not want to listen to Jeremiah. Here’s my prayer for me and pastor: “Lord, I pray that we’ll always speak Your Word so that no one will ever need to come behind us and say, 'But here is truly the Lord's Word.'”
- Both Jeremiah (“Nothing is too hard for you”—Jer 32:17) and God Himself (“Is anything too hard for me?”—Jer 32:27) affirm that nothing we will ever face is too much for God. I need to write these words across the insides of my eyelids and remember them continually. Whatever stresses me out is no worry for my Creator.
- Even God’s people sometimes make only temporary commitments. In Jeremiah’s day, they followed God’s law in releasing their slaves, but they did so only while they were under threat from the Babylonians. When the threat apparently diminished, they “changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again” (Jer 34:11). I wonder how many times I’ve been increasingly faithful to God only when I need Him most. That’s a frightening reminder to me.
- God is a gracious God who judges and redeems. I’ve read the book of Jeremiah many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever been so struck by God’s grace in restoring His people as I have in this year’s reading. Just a simple comparison of these verses shows the stark contrast of the people's sin over against God's love: “They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline” (Jer 32:33), followed by, “I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul” (Jer 32:40-41). We turn from Him and ignore His discipline, but He does not turn from us. He loves us with all his heart and soul.
I’m a sinner in deep, deep need of God’s love, mercy, and grace. I worry too much. My commitments are at times only surface level. I probably don’t think enough about making sure I speak only God’s Word. And yet, He still loves me.
I stand amazed.
Actually, today I can only fall on my face amazed.
ACTION STEPS:
- Review the truths above, and let them sink in to your heart. Let God’s Word come to life for you.
- Be amazed over God today. Let others see your wonder.
PRAYER: “God, You are far too good for me to ever comprehend. I thank You again for Your patient, redeeming, and restoring love.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 35-37
