Jeremiah 31-33

Jeremiah keeps getting "in trouble" for sharing God's word about days to come (Jeremiah 31-33).  King Zedekiah of Judah really doesn't want to hear anymore from Jeremiah, so he puts him in prison.  Does King Zedekiah really think that prison bars are going to make God's word any less true or powerful?  

God continues using Jeremiah and speaking through him.  And as the story unfolds, God shares a new promise (a covenant) for His people that includes Jesus and restoration.  Just breathe in all that God says He will do...

I will turn their mourning into gladness;

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.

Jeremiah 31:25

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.

Jeremiah 32:40-41

Nevertheless, I will bring, health and healing to it;

I will heal my people

  and let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

Jeremiah 33:6

I will cleanse them from all the sin

  they have committed against me 

  and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.

Jeremiah 33:8

The words are sweet to our souls because these same promises are meant for us today.

And I couldn't help but notice that as God has made Jeremiah aware of these promises, God also calls Jeremiah to act in trust and do a crazy thing for Him.

In fact, what God calls Jeremiah to do doesn't make sense at the time.  He tells Jeremiah to buy some land, a field, before the land is destroyed and God's people are exiled to Babylon for 70 years.  

And Jeremiah does it, just because God says so.

I can't help but wonder as I soak in all of God's promises for my life, what crazy thing God might be calling me to do for Him...

For me, I think this blog is one of those things...

What about you?  What crazy thing is God calling you to do?

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for saving Your people.  Thank you for refreshing me when I am weary, replacing my sorrow with comfort and joy, and for healing me when I am broken.

Forgive my sins, Lord.  Forgive those I bring to You today, and open my heart to those of which I am not aware.

As I soak in your promises and all that they mean, Lord, I pray You will help me know what You call me to do each and every day.  Is there anything out of the ordinary, like Jeremiah and the property, that You need me to do for You?

Guide my steps and make me whole in Christ.

And as I seek to follow You, Lord, help me bring Your love and grace to others.  Help me make meaningful and transforming connections with Your people.

I pray for ___________________ today.  You know exactly what __________ need(s).  And if there's anything You need me to do for _______________________, pull on my heartstrings and guide my hands and feet.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

In Christ's love,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.