Like many of you reading this, I have a daily time of devotions, study, and prayer. Most often, I’ve spent this time reading and studying books from the New Testament. Any one of the Gospels or Epistles can provide a lifetime’s worth of inspiring material. I’ve been greatly blessed by my times digging deeper into these words!
The last few years, however, I’ve been spending more time in the books of the Old Testament. I would fully admit to being intimidated by these writings. Strange words, names, phrases, and construction have confused and confounded me in the past and at times continue to frustrate me, near to the point of giving up. I say all this to share something exciting that we all need to be reminded of from time to time.
Currently, I’m reading through the book of the prophet Jeremiah. The first 29 chapters outline how Israel has ignored the God of their fathers, worshiped Baal, sacrificed to idols, even sacrificed their children on the alters. Jeremiah is called by God to preach repentance to the people. They ignore him, refuse to repent and even threaten to kill Jeremiah because of his prophecies predicting the destruction of their land, their people and beloved city, Jerusalem!
Then, beginning in Chapter 30, a flicker of light appears. In time, Israel and Judah will be restored. Mourning will be turned to joy. A new covenant will be made between God and His people.
Chapter 32:38 is the verse that spoke to my heart last week! “And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Wow! After all of the evil and disobedience they perpetrated, after demonstrating His power and His anger with them, He will bring them back! Verse 39 goes on to say, “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.” We know that history verifies He did just that.
Sometimes, I forget who’s hearing my prayers! Jeremiah reminds me that THIS is who God is! This is what He has done, and this is the kind of thing our all-powerful, mighty, loving, righteous, gracious God can do for me and for you. When we feel like we, and our world, is beyond hope, beyond redemption, God can! So, when you’re offering up your prayers on behalf of our world, our country, our city, our church, and our families this week, remember who’s listening.