God Speaks
If God’s People Will Submit to His Discipline, He Will Grant Them Prosperity.
Verse of the Day: “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it–the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’. . . ” (Jeremiah 33:2-3 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 228
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 32-34:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?g
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 32
1. In his prayer (v. 17-22), Jeremiah described the greatness of the LORD and commented briefly on the history of His interactions with the Israelites, which cannot be summarized in one or two sentences.
2. The people of Israel and Judah (and the human race in general) refused to obey the LORD or follow His word. They did not do everything He commanded. Therefore, the LORD sent terrible disaster upon them–wars, famine, diseases, and natural calamities.
Jeremiah 33
1. After God has disciplined His chosen people for their wickedness, He will restore those who obey Him back to their land in faithfulness.
2. As the people return, they will sing, “Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever.”
Jeremiah 34
1. God takes people breaking their covenant with Him very seriously.
2. People who make a covenant (of whatever kind) should not break it. Doing so causes God to be righteously angry and causes much misery for themselves and other people.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 32-34?
O Sovereign LORD! I echo Jeremiah in extolling Your greatness, Your power, and Your unfailing love. Your wisdom, miraculous actions, and knowledge of people and their inner motivations are immeasurable. Your bringing Israel out of slavery in Egypt and leading them to their own land is an excellent example. Thank You for bringing me out of slavery to sin, self, and Satan and into freedom in Christ and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Since You announce Yourself as “the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world,” please help me to carry that message to that part of the world You have chosen for me. Nothing is too hard for me when I depend on You. People all around me refuse to obey You, LORD, or follow Your word. They do not do everything You command. Therefore, You, LORD, have every right to send terrible disasters upon us–wars, famine, diseases, and natural calamities. But in Your judgment remember Your quality of mercy. Please accept the blood Jesus shed at the cross to be enough to purchase our forgiveness. After You have disciplined us, Your chosen people, for our wickedness, please restore those who obey You back into Your favor and blessing and Holy Spirit empowered faithfulness. As we return, we will sing, “Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever.” You, LORD God, take people breaking their covenant very seriously. People who make a covenant (of whatever kind) should not break it. Doing so causes You to be righteously angry and causes much misery for ourselves and other people. Holy Spirit, please help us, Your people, to keep our word, because You always keep Yours. Keeping our word and praising You are ways we bring You 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 32-34? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will make a list of how the LORD God has demonstrated His greatness up to this point in my life.
- I will join with a local congregation of believers and sing worship songs using words like this, “Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever.”
- I will thank the LORD for both His discipline and His restoration, mentioning specific situations.
- I will do whatever is necessary and ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to keep a covenant I have made (such as marriage vows).
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.