Jeremiah 31:31-34 – “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart, I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the thoughts of rejection and restoration occupied my consciousness.
God is long-suffering beyond anything humans can fathom, but God’s patience and mercy have limits. Israel tested the limits of God’s patience. In Jeremiah, He issued a divorce decree nullifying their covenant promises. Think of that: the nation chosen to house and carry the SEED (Messiah) had pushed God to the limit.
We tend to think that we will somehow escape or be excused in our rebellion and rejection of His purposes and character. Remember, God has no favorites. He is eternally Just, Pure, and Holy. Do we really want to risk pushing God too far? Is our pleasure and selfishness that valuable to us?
In Jeremiah, God’s unconditional love illuminated their world and ours. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, He announced the New Covenant! Without this covenant, no one would have salvation. That is why understanding Covenant is so vital. It unlocks the door to revelation and releases the power to enter the Kingdom and live the Kingdom life!
In Jeremiah 32:17-25, the prophet prayed Solomon’s temple prayer. We refer to it in 2 Chronicles 7:14. In verses 26-35, God answers his prayer as He did for Solomon and for all who pray this prayer of acknowledgment and petition.
In Jeremiah 33:2-3, we have an invitation to prayer and relationship.
- I Am the LORD!
- The Invitation CALL – Pray, Ask, Petition, Inquire, Search, and Seek.
- PROMISE – I Will Answer and go beyond by Revelation Knowledge.
WHY? Do we dare ask that? Why are we invited into God’s Throne Room? What are we promised: answers and revelation? The New Covenant (Redemption and Restoration).
The invitation and provision are never about us! It is always to equip and enable us to bring the message of Hope to others. How much of a moving compulsion is that in our lives? As much as it is valuable to us personally!
What we believe about God, Eternal Judgment, Eternal Life (now & then), and the power of an indwelt life determines the value of salvation and compulsion to share and warn others; it is the extent to which we are driven to share. Can we live unaffected lives of silence?
Jesus said to the Pharisee, “The one who is forgiven little loves little, and the one forgiven much loves much.” The key is our awareness of our forgiveness! Our consciousness of our condition before! Let the redeemed say so! We possess nothing more powerful and impactful than our own experience and testimony. The Key: A changed life changes lives!
How real is Jesus, and how destructive is sin to us? Who do we say He is? Who do we live, He is? (How we live testifies to who He really is to us).
I want to be said of me and to be able to say of myself as Paul said, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me…” The words I long to hear here and there are, “Well Done!” I have no greater thought or desire than seeing a crowd of people I influenced for God rejoicing before the Throne in Heaven!
Lord, help us to value Your sacrifice and our forgiveness so much that we are compelled and propelled into action!
Roy's Covenant Corner 