TUESDAY, 7 MAY 2024
TEXT:
Jeremiah 31:1-14
1:
“At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of
Israel, and they will be my people.”
2:
This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor
in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”
3:
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an
everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
4:
I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you
will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
5:
Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant
them and enjoy their fruit.
6:
There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let
us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’”
7:
This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of
the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the
remnant of Israel.’
8:
See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends
of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and
women in labor; a great throng will return.
9:
They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead
them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
10:
“Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He
who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a
shepherd.’
11:
For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger
than they.
12:
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in
the bounty of the Lord— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of
the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will
sorrow no more.
13:
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn
their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of
sorrow.
14:
I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my
bounty,” declares the Lord.
(New International Version Holy
Bible)
TOPIC:
GOD GAVE ISRAEL REST
Judah
will not remain in captivity forever. God's intention was to teach them a
lesson, make them repent and return to Him. He was very clear about how long
Judah would be in captivity.
In
keeping with that promise, God assured them that "the people who survive
the sword will find favour in the desert; I will come to give rest to
Israel" (vs 2).
These
are soothing words which bring hope and reinvigorate the hearts of the Jews who
had been away from home for a long time.
God
demonstrates that He has always loved Israel, even when they were in captivity.
The verses also painted a picture of total restoration of a prosperous nation
and peaceful living.
When
God punishes us, His intention is mainly to purify and restore us to Himself so
as to usher us into the relationship intended for us.
QUESTION:
What has been your response to God's punishment which you are currently
serving?
PRAYER:
Thank You, dear Lord for the joy and beauty of the life You are building in me
through the discipline I am undergoing, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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