Read Jeremiah 33
When are God’s people, not God’s people? The people of Judah were beginning to doubt God’s love and acceptance of them as His chosen people. They were facing so much trouble from their enemies that it seemed the Lord had rejected
As long as the sun shines the Lord’s promises will continue His love for His people. And although everything looked dire, the reality was that the Lord would restore His people such that He could say: “I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honour before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
That which caused their rebellion would be forgiven and cleansed from their midst. They were going to live for the praise and glory of the Lord before all the nations. There would be rejoicing in the streets and the city would be living again with the voices of bride and groom, of children playing, and everyone living in safety and peace. Their lips will praise the Lord saying: “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever.”
This is a picture of the Kingdom of God where Jesus will reign forever and offer up to God pure worship and thanksgiving. It is a place where there is great joy and laughter, a place of prosperity and fruitfulness. It is will be a place known as “The Lord our Righteousness”.
This is a complete turn around from what the people were seeing as they torn down their houses to fight against the Babylonians. Terror and emptiness filled their streets. Lives were being destroyed – death and destruction lay all around. How could the Lord say there will be peace and righteousness paving the streets of this city in days to come? To man, such a thing might seem impossible, but to the Lord such renewal is not possible.
Today we might see sorrow and heartache in our lives or in the lives of those around us. We might be tempted to despair and hope it will all pass quickly. We might be tempted to live in despair rather than by faith in the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 the Lord tells us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” By faith in Christ Jesus our lives are being made new and what may seem broken and filled with despair now, is even now being made new. Let us rejoice in the Lord our Saviour. He is our righteousness. Therefore, let Lord be to us a God of “renown, joy, praise and honour before all nations on earth” that they may hear of all the good things He has done in and for us.
Prayer:
Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
· Pray that there would be no pride in your congregation tomorrow and that the believers would humbly and graciously love each other, even putting others needs above their own.
· Pray that the Word would be powerfully and fearlessly preached tomorrow and that God would work powerfully through it, bringing glory to Himself, lifting up the name of Jesus and comforting, strengthening, challenging and even rebuking the disciples as needed.
· Pray for those who are presently seeing persecution, sickness and sorrow all around them, that they will look to the Lord in hope and faith.
1. Share a time when you received an unexpected answer. Was pride or over confidence involved?
2. How do you account for the exile theologically? Hint: Where does it fit into the mega story of the Bible?
3. Some could argue that a loving God would never exile His own people. How do you respond?
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