My honest overall reflection after reading last week’s readings? I’m so grateful for mercy and grace. We had six more chapters of Jeremiah’s prophetic warning of destruction on the people because they weren’t obedient.
Throughout all of this, though, Jeremiah still spreads hope. He tells them God will let them rebuild their lives after this judgment. This is the God we hear about more at SoGF—the God of mercy and the God Who blesses. I think most of us know God is also a God of judgment, of righteous anger, of holy wrath (and if you didn’t know before reading Jeremiah, you’re seeing it now), but I feel more comfortable with the God of love, grace, mercy. This reading was a good reminder of what life would be like without Jesus.
Here's some Scripture that I particularly loved:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT).
One of my favorite verses, it’s something I cling to in times of anxiety and worry. God knows my next steps, and He has planned everything out for good, to give me hope. These words were meant for the exiles in Babylon, but the Bible backs up that these words are for us as well. If you don’t know this verse by heart, memorize it, because it will certainly come in handy many times in your future!
“Long ago the Lord said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT).
Everlasting love? Yes! Everlasting doesn’t mean it comes and goes. Everlasting means it just is there FOREVER. It doesn’t fail. It wins, every time.
In this case, of course, God was telling this to the people of Israel, a reminder that even though they were going through a time of punishment, His love never left them. But for us? Yes, still true. It’s like parents punishing their children. Your disappointment and the consequences you must dole out do not mean you don’t love them. In fact, their punishment is part of that love.
We see exactly that thought in Jeremiah 31:20 (NLT): “’Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?’ says the Lord. ‘I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.’”
What an indescribable joy that God’s love for us is not based on what we do!
There were more verses in the reading that were a reminder that, in the midst of the judgment and punishment, God never took His love away. We need these reminders. I have a friend who has had his share of trials. He says there’s a black cloud following him. While I don’t think these trials are God’s punishments, I wish he understood the way God works a little better. When hard times come, we need to remember that God still loves us and wants good for us. Maybe what we’re experiencing is a punishment, or maybe God just wants our attention, or maybe He wants us to remember to fully rely on Him and not ourselves. But no matter what you are going through, remember these two truths from this reading—tape them to your mirror or your car dashboard or in the note section of your phone—just remember them because they will save your life:
- God has a plan for you that is full of hope.
- God loves you, forever, without fail.
Blessings to you in whatever you are going through—
