God Speaks
The LORD Promises Return and Restoration to Israel
Verse of the Day: “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34 NIV 2011)
Read or listen on BibleGateway.com
Watch TBR Day 227
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 30-31:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Jeremiah 30
1. The fierce anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all He has planned. At the appropriate time, God’s people will understand all this.
2. People who have turned away from the LORD God will be full of fear and terror; yet in the end, a remnant will be saved. Their sins and their enemies will be dealt with.
Jeremiah 31
1. This chapter is filled with the LORD God declaring the glorious good He will bestow on the people of Israel and Judah when He brings them back from exile and from being scattered among the nations.
2. When they return from exile, God’s people will be prosperous, joyful, and full of thankful worship.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 30-31?
O promise-keeping Lord God, thank You that You promise that You will always be with Your people whatever our circumstances. You will completely destroy the nations or people who have wounded us. But You will never completely destroy Israel or anyone who calls on Your name. You will discipline us, but with justice; You cannot let our sin go unpunished. You love us too much to let us get by with misbehavior. You will give us back our health and heal our wounds. You will bring Your people home again and restore our fortunes. You will rebuild our homes and lives. There will be great joy and songs of thanksgiving. The numbers of Your people will be multiplied as we teach our children about You and Your ways. We all will find rest in You. A great company will return to worship You in Jerusalem. Tears of joy will stream our faces as You lead us home with great care. We will proclaim, “You, YHWH (Yahweh), are our Father God.” And You will claim us as Your Blood-washed children. All Your children will be united under the new covenant You have established. Just as You established the laws of nature and put the sun, moon, and stars in place, You will sustain the people who turn in faith and dependence on You. As each person does so, You receive glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Jeremiah 30-31? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will thank the LORD for not giving up on me because of my sins, for dealing with my oppressors, for forgiving them (if they repent) just as He has forgiven me.
- I will thank the LORD for drawing me back into His presence and giving me so many blessings.
- I will thank the LORD for the righteous ruler He will be sending; both Jesus’ return and reign and the godly people whom He will raise up to rule my nation.
- I will study the scriptures that tell of the future judgment of the nations and of the Messianic reign.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.