Singleness of Heart: Part 2 – Jeremiah 32:39

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 32:39 (NIV)

“I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.”

Jeremiah 32:39 (MSG)

“I’ll make them of one mind and heart, always honoring me, so that they can live good and whole lives, they and their children after them.”

********************************************

“…and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may [reverently] fear Me forever, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.” -AMPLIFIED

“As with other new covenant passages, God promised inner transformation that would bring blessing to successive generations (for the good of them and their children).” ~David Guzik

The Lord has reminded Jeremiah that He will renew His covenant with the people, declaring:

“They will be my people, and I will be their God.” -Jeremiah 32:39 (CSB)

As we look at today’s text, we will further give attention to what being single of heart means, for we find the Lord stating:

“I will unite them behind a single desire and purpose: to revere and worship Me forever for their own good and for the good of all who will come after them.” -(VOICE)

Immediately we can learn a few things from the Lord’s Message about singleness of heart:

1.) It will be the Lord who does the work that brings about singleness of heart.

2.) Singleness of heart brings unity.

3.) Singleness of heart reminds us of our purpose, to worship the Lord.

The Lord will bring about a change in heart, a new way of thinking, of acting, a new attitude.

Let’s take a look at how a few of the other translations convey this change of heart and mind:

“I will make their thoughts and desires pure. Then they will realize that, for their own good and the good of their children, they must worship only me. They will even be afraid to turn away from me. I will make an agreement with them that will never end, and I won’t ever stop doing good things for them. With all my heart I promise that they will be planted in this land once again.” -(CEV)

“I will make them want to be truly one people. They will have one goal. They will truly want to worship me all their lives. They will do this for their own good and for their children after them.” -(ICB)

“…and I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.” -(NASB)

Let us have singleness of heart, not a heart that is looking elsewhere for satisfaction, fulfillment or anything else. Because a heart that is double-minded seeks its own way, not the Lord’s.

“One heart—all seeking the Lord with one accord, in contrast to their state when only scattered individuals sought Him. ~Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

“And I will give them one heart and mind to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.” -(TLB)

“One heart, and one way. Under the new covenant they will with one consent walk in the one narrow path of right-doing Matthew 7:14. Forever, i. e., every day, constantly.” ~Albert Barnes

Scripture speaks a lot about the heart and what it should and should not be like. It should be duly noted that when there is any change in the heart, it happens because the Lord is at work in that heart.

God will not tolerate a divided heart, or a double minded one:

“Their heart is divided (faithless); now they must bear their guilt and punishment. The Lord will break down [the horns of] their altars; He will destroy their idolatrous pillars.” -Hosea 10:2 (AMP)

“The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.” -James 1:8 (VOICE)

A stubborn and unrepentant heart is an invitation for God’s judgement:

“But because of your callous stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are [deliberately] storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” -Romans 2:5 (AMP)

God cannot stand a heart that is divided down the middle:

“Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you. Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God on one side and selfish pursuits on the other.” -James 4:8 (VOICE)

God desires to remove the heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh, He wants to give us a heart transplant:

“I will give them a new will—an undivided heart—and plant a new spirit within them; I will remove their cold, stony heart and replace it with a warm heart of flesh. Then they will follow My commands and uphold My laws and actually do as I say. They will be My people, and I will be their God.” -Ezekiel 11:19-20 (VOICE)

Our prayer should echo the Psalmist, who prayed that the Lord would give them a clean heart, and a deeper desire to know Him:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore within me a sense of being brand new. Do not throw me far away from Your presence, and do not remove Your Holy Spirit from me. Give back to me the deep delight of being saved by You; let Your willing Spirit sustain me.” -Psalm 51:10-12 (VOICE)

“Blessed are those who are pure in heart—they will see God.” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:8 VOICE)

My friend, we all need a change of heart. We must allow God to remove that heart of stone within and allow Him to replace it with a heart of flesh, otherwise we will never be able to please Him. If you are asking for Him to create within you a clean heart, then submit to Him. May our prayer echo that of Jesus’ “Yet not My will, but Your will, be done.”

“God is the shaper of your heart. God does not display his work in abstract terms. He prefers the concrete, and this means that at the end of your life one of three things will happen to your heart: it will grow hard, it will be broken, or it will be tender. Nobody escapes.” ~Ravi Zacharias

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I need a heart change. I realize the fact that there are times that I still insist on doing things my own way, not yours. I have been stubborn, and disobedient. Please forgive me Lord. Change my heart. Help me to be transformed, undivided, not double-minded. I choose to submit to your will in my life, help me to walk in your ways. “Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.” -(CEV) Thank you, Lord.

Patiently the Lord Deals With Us -Jeremiah 32:37

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 32:37 (NIV)

^“I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.”

Jeremiah 32:37 (MSG)

“‘Watch for this! I will collect them from all the countries to which I will have driven them in my anger and rage and indignation. Yes, I’ll bring them all back to this place and let them live here in peace.”

*********************************

“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them live in safety.” -AMPLIFIED

“Though the city shall be taken, and you shall go into captivity; yet you shall not be utterly lost, I will gather you again, and you shall have as quiet a habitation as ever.” ~Matthew Poole

The Lord has been speaking to Jeremiah, reminding him that what He says is what matters. The Lord had told Jeremiah that the city would be taken by the king of Babylon, and it would happen this way:

“Now therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to this city about which you said, ‘It has been handed over to Babylon’s king through sword, famine, and plague’…” -Jeremiah 32:36 (CSB)

As we continue to study the Lord’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer, we find Him patiently reiterating what He has already told Jeremiah in the past:

“Look! I will gather My people from all the countries where I scattered them in My righteous anger, in My great wrath and fury. I will bring them back to this place, Jerusalem, and let them live here safely under My protection.” -(VOICE)

The Lord: “Look Jeremiah, I have already told you these things would happen. Yes, I will indeed scatter My people, allowing Nebuchadnezzar’s army to take them. They will be scattered across many different countries, which I will personally do because of their rebellious hearts and because I am angry with them. But…I will one day bring them safely home, home to Jerusalem, and I will they will live in peace and safety, protected by me.” -Tonia’s Translation

None of this was new to Jeremiah. The Lord had told him all of this before, and yet we find the Lord patiently explaining it all to him again.

“…but I will bring my people back again from all the countries where in my fury I will scatter them. I will bring them back to this very city and make them live in peace and safety.” -(TLB)

 “The same God who promised and fulfilled judgment also promised and would fulfill restoration. One was as sure as the other.” ~David Guzik

God is so patient with all of us, more than we deserve, and we test His patience a lot. Thankfully He is too.

David reminds us that the Lord does not give us what we deserve, but He tempers His justice:

“Thankfully, God does not punish us for our sins and depravity as we deserve. In His mercy, He tempers justice with peace.” -Psalm 103:10 (VOICE)

David also tells us that God is slow to anger and full of compassion:

“But Lord, You are a God full of compassion, generous in grace, slow to anger, and boundless in loyal love and truth.” -Psalm 86:15 (VOICE)

“God’s patience is astonishing. The One who is greatly offended by every sin chooses to exhibit great patience.” ~Dawn Wilson

In fact, there are many, many Scriptures that remind us that God is patient and slow to anger with us. Here are just a few of those verses:

• “Rip the wickedness out of your hearts; don’t just tear your clothing. Now return to the Eternal, your True God. You already know He is gracious and compassionate. He does not anger easily and maintains faithful love. He is willing to relent and not harm you.” -Joel 2:13 (VOICE)
• “The Eternal is gracious. He shows mercy to His people. For Him anger does not come easily, but faithful love does—and it is rich and abundant.” -Psalm 145:8 (VOICE)
• “I am slow to get angry and overflow with consistently boundless love. I forgive wrongdoing and waywardness, but I don’t overlook the necessity for justice, so I punish the guilty ones’ third and fourth coming generations.” -Numbers 14:18 (VOICE)

Scripture warns us not to test the Lord’s patience:

• “Do you take the kindness of God for granted? Do you see His patience and tolerance as signs that He is a pushover when it comes to sin? How could you not know that His kindness is guiding our hearts to turn away from distractions and habitual sin to walk a new path?” -Romans 2:4 (VOICE)
• “Yes, but the Hebrew Scriptures also say, “You will not presume on God; you will not test the Lord, the one True God.” -Luke 4:12 (VOICE)
• “Don’t harden your hearts the way they did in the bitter uprising at Meribah where your ancestors tested Me though they had seen My marvelous power. For the 40 years they traveled on to the land that I had promised them, that generation broke My heart. Grieving and angry, I said, “Their hearts are unfaithful; they don’t know what I want from them.” -Hebrews 3:8-10 (VOICE)

“God is patient. He doesn’t have to learn it. He is it. He is not developing it. He continually displays it. I am grateful that I can count on the fact that the God of all grace and glory is patient.” ~Harry Reeder

My friend, God is so patient with us, not giving to us what we deserve. Why? Because He loves us. He is gracious, compassionate, and caring. He will do whatever it takes to turn our rebellious hearts back to Him. That being said, we should not be testing the Lord’s patience, and grieving Him. Let us make the choice to walk in His ways, and may the prayer of our heart echo what David prayed: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14 (AMP)

“The patience of God is a beckoning hand, an open door, a pathway home. It comes to us as Jesus came to Matthew at the tax booth: not to condemn us, and not to comfort us in our sins either, but rather to turn us again to “seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6), whether after a miserable lapse or simply a regrettable moment. Whoever and wherever we are, God’s patience invites our repentance.” ~Scott Hubbard

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, you are so patient with your children, not giving them what they deserve. I am reminded that your mercies are new every morning, that you are kind, compassionate and loving. And I am so grateful that you are. I know I have tested your patience in the past, and for this I am sorry. Please forgive me. Help me to learn to be quick to obey. I realize, sometimes I am just like Jeremiah, and you have had to patiently explain things to me again and again because I have doubted you. Lord, help my faith and trust in you to grow stronger. I know you are able to do the impossible, help my unbelief, Lord. Thank you for being patient with me, especially since it seems that I have to go through the same lessons over and over again. You are so good to me.

What God Says is What Truly Matters -Jeremiah 32:36

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 32:36 (NIV)

“You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon’; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says…”

Jeremiah 32:36 (MSG)

“But there is also this Message from me, the God of Israel, to this city of which you have said, ‘In killing and starvation and disease this city will be delivered up to the king of Babylon’…”

***************************************

“Now therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword and by famine and by virulent disease.’” -AMPLIFIED

“God is angry, and yet gracious. The rest of the chapter is full of tenderness and love. It is enough to make our eyes fill with tears as we note how God speaks concerning those who had rebelled against him.” ~Charles Spurgeon

The Lord has not hidden “why” His judgement was coming against Israel and Judah. He tells Jeremiah exactly why it was happening.

“They have built the high places of Baal in Ben Hinnom Valley to sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire to Molech—something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought that they do this detestable act causing Judah to sin!” -Jeremiah 32:35 (CSB)

As we look to today’s text, we are reminded that what the Lord says is what really matters. Others may “think” they know what will happen, but ultimately, only the Lord has the final say. What He decrees will come to pass.

“Jeremiah, listen to what the Eternal God of Israel has to say about Jerusalem: you say that by war, famine, and disease this city will fall to the king of Babylon, and you are right.” -(VOICE)

Yes, God would discipline the people of both Israel and Judah, but we now come to a section that reminds Jeremiah, and ultimately the people, that the Lord promises that in time they will be restored.

Adonai instructs Jeremiah to “listen up”, or to “pay attention”. This is what the Lord says will happen (We will dig deeper into these verses over the coming days.):

“Look! I will gather My people from all the countries where I scattered them in My righteous anger, in My great wrath and fury. I will bring them back to this place, Jerusalem, and let them live here safely under My protection. They will be My people, and I will be their God. I will unite them behind a single desire and purpose: to revere and worship Me forever for their own good and for the good of all who will come after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop blessing them with good things, and I will put in them a fear and respect of Me so they will not turn their backs to Me again. It will be My great joy to do good things for them, and you can be sure that I will devote Myself completely to planting them anew in this land.” -Jeremiah 32:37-41 (VOICE)

The thing is, Jeremiah had declared back in verses 23-24 that things were happening just as the Lord had said they would:

“They entered this land and conquered it as You led them. But even as they settled in, they refused to listen to Your voice and live as You instructed. They rebelled against Your entire law. So You caused these disastrous consequences to fall on them. Look! The siege ramps are built against the walls of the city. Soon the Chaldeans will begin the assault. Because of war, famine, and disease, the enemy will soon have control of the city. It is all happening as You said it would.” -Jeremiah 32:23-24 (VOICE)

The Lord reminds Jeremiah that if what He had declared in the past, had come to pass, would not what He is saying now will happen come to pass as well? God will accomplish what He has declared He will accomplish.

“Now therefore the Lord God of Israel says concerning this city that it will fall to the king of Babylon through warfare, famine, and disease…” -(TLB)

“Nevertheless the Lord promised to bring His people back into the land from which He was about to drive them. He would make them dwell securely in the same city He was about to hand over to their enemy-rebuilt.” ~Thomas Constable

Scripture reminds us that we can always take God at His Word, for what He says will happen, will happen. And what God says will happen matters more than what anyone else has to say.

Let us consider a few things that Scripture teaches us about God and His Word:

1.) God is Sovereign and He will accomplish His purposes: “Remember the old days. For I am God; there is no other. I am God; there are no other gods like Me. From the beginning I declare how things will end; from times long past, I tell what is yet to be, saying: “My intentions will come to pass. I will make things happen as I determine they should.” -Isaiah 46:9-10 (VOICE)

2.) God’s Word will be fulfilled: “That’s right. From this know that I am watching over My word until it is accomplished.” -Jeremiah 1:12 (VOICE)

3.) God always keeps His promises: “The time has come for me to die and return to the earth. But I want to leave you with these thoughts: Think back and you will know without a doubt that not one single good thing that the Eternal One, your God, promised you has been left undone. Not a single one.” -Joshua 23:14 (VOICE)

4.) God cannot lie: “God is not a man—He doesn’t lie. God isn’t the son of a man to want to take back what He’s said, or say something and not follow through, or speak and not act on it.” -Numbers 23:19 (VOICE)

5.) We can trust God: “Those who know Your name will rely on You, for You, O Eternal One, have not abandoned those who search for You.” -Psalm 9:10 (VOICE)

6.) Others may fail us, but God never will: “It is better to put your faith in the Eternal for your security than to trust in people.” -Psalm 118:8 (VOICE)

7.) God is working everything out according to His plan: “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” -Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

“The reason God knows the future is because he plans and accomplishes the future.” ~John Piper

My friend, what God says He will do, He will do. Do not fret, do not worry. If He has made a promise to you, He will fulfill it. You can trust Him. Nothing is impossible for Him. God has a purpose and a plan, and if you made a promise to you, He will accomplish it, just remember, it will happen in His timing, not yours. Trust Him. Remember this, “Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in us, to Him be all glory in the church and in Jesus the Anointed from this generation to the next, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21 (VOICE)

“God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” ~Dwight L. Moody

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I am reminded once again that if you have made to me a promise, you intend to keep it. Lord, you have promised me many things. And I am holding on to those promises, because I know that you are THE PROMISE-KEEPER. You do not lie. You can be trusted. Whereas others have made promises they did not intend to keep, you are not that way. Every promise you have made, you made because you have a purpose and a plan. Lord, help me to rest in your timing. Help me to trust you to accomplish your plan in your way. When I am discouraged, please remind me that you have never failed to keep your promises, and you are working all things out for good, in your time. Lord, help my faith and trust in you to grow stronger. Thank you.

Faith Leads to Obedience – Jeremiah 32:9-10

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 32:9-10 (NIV)

“… so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver. I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales.”

Jeremiah 32:9-10 (MSG)

“So I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel. I paid him seventeen silver shekels. I followed all the proper procedures: In the presence of witnesses I wrote out the bill of sale, sealed it, and weighed out the money on the scales.”

*********************************************

“I bought the field that was at Anathoth from Hanamel my uncle’s son, and weighed out the money for him, seventeen shekels of silver. I signed the deed and sealed it, and called in witnesses, and weighed out the money on the scales.” -AMPLIFIED

“Because God so clearly told him to do it, Jeremiah bought a piece of property that was, in normal terms, an unwise investment. The Babylonian army occupied Anathoth, surrounded the walls of Jerusalem, and was ready to complete their conquest of the area. Jeremiah knew they would succeed, and when they did, his title to the land would be useless because the Babylonians would soon control everything. Yet he bought the property anyway.” ~David Guzik

Jeremiah tells us that the Lord told Him that Hanamel, his cousin, would be coming to him, to the place he was imprisoned, in order to sell him a family plot of land. We were reminded that when God speaks, we need to listen.

“Jeremiah replied, “The word of the Lord came to me: Watch! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy my field in Anathoth for yourself, for you own the right of redemption to buy it.’ Then, as the Lord had said, my cousin Hanamel came to the guard’s courtyard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.” -Jeremiah 32:6-8 (CSB)

When things happened exactly as the Lord said they would, we find Jeremiah making this declaration: “Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.” -(NASB) When Hanamel showed up, offering to sell Jeremiah the family plot, just as the Lord said he would, then Jeremiah knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Lord had indeed spoken to him.

So, what did Jeremiah do? He bought the field, of course. In faith he was obedient to the Lord. Jeremiah tells us:

“So I bought the field in Anathoth from Hanamel my cousin for seven ounces of silver. I signed and sealed the deed in front of witnesses; after weighing out the silver on the scales, I paid Hanamel.” -(VOICE)

Remember, the Babylonians were already outside the city walls, breathing down Judah’s neck. The people within the city walls must have felt intimidated and helpless, as well as hopeless. Even though God, through Jeremiah, had told them what their future would hold, they still doubted God’s Message.

Jeremiah buying this piece of property was a lesson in faith for the people of Judah, an object lesson that they could see and hopefully understand. God had good things in store for them in the future. Yes, they were going to go into captivity for 70 years, but one day they would be restored to their homeland. They needed to be thinking about their future, so God used Jeremiah to remind them of this fact.

“Jeremiah also forecast that the land of Judah would not be lost forever, and that one day the people would repossess it. An opportunity now arose for Jeremiah to give practical demonstration of his faith in this future restoration.” ~~Donald Flemming

In faith, Jeremiah was obedient to the Lord, buying this piece of property for seventeen pieces of silver, signing the deed, which was witnessed, so others were aware of the proceedings. And he finalized and sealed the deal with his cousin Hanamel.

“So I bought the field, paying Hanamel seventeen pieces of silver. I signed and sealed the deed of purchase before witnesses, weighed out the silver, and paid him.” -(TLB)

“This was, in every respect, a very extraordinary transaction. Remember that the Chaldeans (Babylonians) were already besieging Jerusalem, and they were all over the land, carrying fire and sword into every part of it. Jerusalem was straitly shut up, so that none of the inhabitants could get out of the city; yet here is Jeremiah, himself a prisoner, buying land which was virtually worth nothing whatever; but he believed so firmly that the Chaldeans would yet permit the Jews to live unmolested in that land that he paid down the purchase money for the field, and saw to the legal execution of the deed of transfer, just as you or I might have done if we were purchasing a plot of land in our own country. This is a notable instance of the triumph of faith over unfavourable surroundings, and also of the prophet’s obedience to the Word of the Lord.” ~Charles Spurgeon

Scripture reminds us that oft times we too need to show our faith in God by doing something He asks us to do in obedience, even though we cannot understand how the outcome will come about, just like Jeremiah had to do.

Scripture explains faith to us this way:

“Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. It was by faith that our forebears were approved. Through faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God; everything we now see was fashioned from that which is invisible.” -Hebrews 11:1-3 (VOICE)

“Faith begins as hope and indeed is unseen; so many doubt that it is real. What follows is the proof that faith is a reality that can be trusted.” ~VOICE footnote

Scripture reminds us that we, followers of God, walk by faith, not by sight:

“The path we walk is charted by faith, not by what we see with our eyes.” -2 Corinthians 5:7 (VOICE)

“Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.” ~Andrew Murray

Scripture tells us that faith comes from hearing, especially hearing the Word of God:

^“So faith proceeds from hearing, as we listen to the message about God’s Anointed.” -Romans 10:17 (VOICE)

“Faith is not something we do. It is a response to what God has done already on our behalf, the response of a spirit restless in a fragmented world.” ~Voice footnote

Scripture advises us that without faith we cannot please God:

“Without faith no one can please God because the one coming to God must believe He exists, and He rewards those who come seeking.” -Hebrews 11:6 (VOICE)

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right.” ~Max Lucado

Scripture teaches us of what happens when our faith is tested under pressure:

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind. Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue them or bring them anything. The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy and confused. ” -James 1:2-8 (VOICE)

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” ~Oswald Chambers

My friend, are you walking in faith with the Lord? Are you trusting Him to do what He says He will do, despite what you see with your physical eyes? Remember, we can take God at His Word. And He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). If you are struggling with your faith, ask the Lord to increase it. You have not because you ask not. But be prepared, for our faith increases under pressure. Faith leads to obedience. Keep in mind, God will be with you through it all.

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” ~Corrie Ten Boom

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, increase my faith. Help my faith and trust in you to grow. Your Word tells me that nothing is impossible for you. You see what can be, and too often I get hung up on the impossibilities, and my faith fails. Lord, please forgive my unbelief, and help my faith in you to grow stronger. You, the Creator of everything, the One who reigns over all, is able to do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than I ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in me. Lord, I chose to have faith in you, to trust you, to put my hope in you, the One who will never let me down. Thank you, Lord.

God Never Gives Up on Us – Jeremiah 31:37

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:37 (NIV)

“This is what the Lord says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 31:37 (MSG)

“God’s Message: “If the skies could be measured with a yardstick and the earth explored to its core, then and only then would I turn my back on Israel, disgusted with all they’ve done.” God’s Decree.”

***********************************************

“Thus says the Lord, “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will also cast off and abandon all the descendants of Israel for all that they have done,” says the Lord.” -AMPLIFIED

 “As surely as the heavenly bodies will continue their settled course, according to the will of their Creator, to the end of time, and as the raging sea obeys him, so surely will the Jews be continued a separate people. Words can scarcely set forth more strongly the restoration of Israel. The rebuilding of Jerusalem, and its enlargement and establishment, shall be an earnest of the great things God will do for the gospel church. The personal happiness of every true believer, as well as the future restoration of Israel, is secured by promise, covenant, and oath. This Divine love passes knowledge; and to those who take hold upon it, every present mercy is an earnest of salvation.” ~Matthew Henry

We have been reminded of God’ perfect order in His creation. And yesterday, we were reminded that the Lord in His order of establishing and securing of all things, decreed that Israel would remain a nation forever, for God will never give up on them. God’s Message:

“If this fixed order departs from before me—this is the Lord’s declaration—only then will Israel’s descendants cease to be a nation before me forever.” -Jeremiah 31:26 (CSB)

In today’s passage, we find the Lord reiterating what He has already declared. Jeremiah repeats the Lord’s pronouncement for us:

“This is what the Eternal says: Eternal One: “If the heavens above could ever be measured, or the depths below be fully explored, only then would I disown the children of Israel because of everything they have done.” -(VOICE)

We find Jeremiah clarifying for us that these are the Lord’s words, not his. And the Lord declares this: “There’s only one way I will reject all the descendants of Israel. That is if people can measure the sky above. It is if they can learn the secrets of the earth below. Then I will reject them because of what they have done,” says the Lord.” -(ICB)

The point is this: God may discipline His children, but He would never give up on them.

“Unworthy members of Israel may be cast away, but the race shall never entirely cease to exist.” ~Albert Barnes

The conditions given by the Lord are intended to be an over exaggeration, an unattainable achievement. No person would be able to accurately measure the foundations of the earth. And the Lord would never be able to reject His people. There would always remain a remnant of Israel.

Consider something that Paul wrote to the church in Rome:

“My brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be in the dark about this mystery—I am going to let you in on the plan so that you will not think too highly of yourselves. A part of Israel has been hardened to the good news until the full number of those outside the Jewish family have entered in. This is the way that all of Israel will be saved. As it was written, so it also stands: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will drive away wickedness from Jacob. And this is My covenant promise to them, on the day when I take away their sins. It may seem strange. When it comes to the work of the gospel, the fact that they oppose it is actually for your benefit. But when you factor in God’s election, they are truly loved because they descended from faithful forefathers. You see, when God gives a grace gift and issues a call to a people, He does not change His mind and take it back.” -Romans 11:25-29 (VOICE)

God will never give up on Israel.

“Not until the heavens can be measured and the foundations of the earth explored, will I consider casting them away forever for their sins!”-(TLB)

“It is impossible to conceive that God could state this principle in any stronger way. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have an enduring role in God’s plan of the ages until the end of the age.” ~David Guzik

Knowing that God has not, nor ever will, give up on His people, Israel, should reassure us and increase our faith, for God will never give up on us either.

David reminds us that there may be times that we are experiencing the Lord’s anger and His hand of discipline, but the grace He extends to us last a lifetime. David wrote:

“His wrath, you see, is fleeting, but His grace lasts a lifetime. The deepest pains may linger through the night, but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning.” -Psalm 30:5 (VOICE)

In the book of Lamentations, we find Jeremiah reminding us that God cares for us, and He loves us, and wants to bless us:

“Kept in God’s care:  the Lord won’t reject him forever. Kindness prevails: Even though God torments sometimes, the greatness of God’s loyal love wins out. Keeping us down: it is not the desire or way of God’s heart to hurt and grieve the children of men.” -Lamentations 3:31-33 (VOICE)

The author of Psalm 94 tells us that God will never abandon His people:

The Eternal will not abandon His people; He will not turn away from those He redeemed because justice is coming for those who do what is right and all the good-hearted will pursue it.” -Psalm 94:14-15 (VOICE)

 “God’s love is not wearied by our sins & is relentless in its determination that we be cured at whatever cost to us or Him.” ~C. S. Lewis

The author of Psalm 118 reminds us that God’s love for us never quits. He cannot cease to be who and what He is, loving and kind. (Take the time to read this psalm in its entirety on your own.):

“Give thanks to the Eternal because He is always good. He never ceases to be loving and kind.” -Psalm 118:1 (VOICE)

Isaiah recorded this Message from the Lord. It was written to Israel, but it also applies to all who call upon the Name of the Lord. It is a promise that we too can hold on to, especially in times of difficulty:

“I have reached to wherever you are in the farthest corners of earth, and the most hidden places therein. I have called to you and said, “You are my servant. I have chosen you, not thrown you away!” So don’t be afraid. I am here, with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you. I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up.” -Isaiah 41:9-10 (VOICE)

“God’s love is like an ocean. You can see its beginning, but not its end.” ~Rick Warren

My friend, you may have wandered far from the Lord. In fact, He may have needed to discipline you, and may still be disciplining you. But He will never give up on you. He loves you with an everlasting love. He cares about what happens to you. He is doing whatever it takes to turn your heart back to Him. Stop fighting against Him, and accept His guidance and His love.

“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.” ~Jerry Bridges

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I am so grateful for your love that never gives up on me. That love that is willing to discipline and teach, to guide me in the ways that I should go. The fact that you do whatever is needed to help me walk with you, shows me how much you truly care. I am so blessed by the extent of your love, your goodness, your mercy, and your grace. At times I am overwhelmed as I realize how deep your love for me is, help me to always remember the magnitude of your love, even when I am experiencing your hand of discipline. Because even the discipline you give is done out of love. You are so good to me, Lord. I am blessed to be called a child of the Most High.

To Know the Lord! – Jeremiah 31:34a

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV)

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:34 (MSG)

“They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow.”

*******************************************

“And each man will no longer teach his neighbor and his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me [through personal experience], from the least of them to the greatest,” says the Lord.” -AMPLIFIED

“The new covenant brings new relationship with God. Those connected to God by the new covenant have personal, close relationship with God that they did not have before: they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.“ ~David Guzik

The Lord has declared that part of this New Covenant will be that He will write His Laws on the hearts and minds of His people. God’s Message:

“Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” -Jeremiah 31:33 (CSB)

And because God’s Laws will be written on the hearts and minds of every one of His children, there will no longer be a need to teach or admonish one another in the ways of the Lord, because each person will know Him personally, and will know what His expectations are. God’s Message to Israel:

“No longer will people have to teach each other or encourage their family members and say, “You must know the Eternal.” For all of them will know Me intimately themselves—from the least to the greatest of society.” -(VOICE)

“In that day”…we can look back to verse 31, the beginning of this section, and find this reminder of when these things will take place. These things will happen during the Messianic Age.

During this time, there will no longer be a need to teach others about the ways of the Lord. Why? Because each person will “know” the Lord personally. (Remember, this Message is directed towards the houses of Israel and Judah.) The VOICE translation conveys this “knowing” of the Lord wonderfully, “For all of them will know Me intimately themselves…” The children of Israel will finally “know” their Lord fully. Not just a few of them, like priests and prophets, but everyone great and small.

“’All of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me,” declares Yahweh.” -(NOG)

“At that time it will no longer be necessary to admonish one another to know the Lord. For everyone, both great and small, shall really know me then, says the Lord…” -(TLB)

“To know God is to be transformed, and thus to be introduced to a life that could not otherwise be experienced.” ~D. A. Carson 

Once the Lord has written His Laws on the heart of a person, then there comes about a transformation in their life, a change of heart. That person will then desire to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

“Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.” -Romans 12:1-2 (VOICE)

If we have been transformed and truly want to know the Lord, then we will be obedient to Him. John tells us this is a sure sign of an intimate relationship with the Lord:

“We know we have joined Him in an intimate relationship because we live out His commands. If someone claims, “I am in an intimate relationship with Him,” but this big talker doesn’t live out His commands, then this individual is a liar and a stranger to the truth.” -1 John 2:3-4 (VOICE)

David had the right attitude when he came humbly to the Lord asking Him to teach him to understand and know Him:

“DEMONSTRATE Your ways, O Eternal One. Teach me to understand so I can follow. EASE me down the path of Your truth. FEED me Your word because You are the True God who has saved me. I wait all day long, hoping, trusting in You.” -Psalm 25:4-5 (VOICE)

Solomon instructs us that the fear of the Lord, or reverence for Him, is the beginning of our true knowledge of Him:

“Reverence for the Eternal, the one True God, is the beginning of wisdom; true knowledge of the Holy One is the start of understanding.” -Proverbs 9:10 (VOICE)

Paul encourages us to have minds that are ready to know and receive more of the Lord:

“God of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, Father of Glory: I call out to You on behalf of Your people. Give them minds ready to receive wisdom and revelation so they will truly know You. Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power.” -Ephesians 1:17-19 (VOICE)

“Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.” ~J. I. Packer

My friend, do you know God, truly know Him? Or do you know about God? He wants us each to have a personal relationship with Him, to know Him intimately. The thing about a relationship is if we are trying to get to know someone, we need to spend time with them. We need to not just talk “at” that person, but “with” that person. I pray that you will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

“So hear my final words, my friends. Now that I have warned you about what’s ahead, keep up your guard and don’t let unprincipled people pull you away from the sure ground of the truth with their lies and misunderstandings. Instead, grow in grace and in the true knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Anointed, to whom be glory, now and until the coming of the new age. Amen.” -2 Peter 3:17-18 (VOICE)

“One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there’s always so much more to know, so much more to discover. Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidy notions about who He is and how He works.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I want to know you, not just about you, but you, personally and intimately. I want be known as a friend of God. I desire to know you more and more, to grow in my wisdom of who you are and my knowledge and understanding of you. Lord, I ask that you reveal yourself to me in a deeper way. I hunger and thirst for more of you. Help me to have a hunger so deep for more of you that it is never satisfied, a thirst that is never quenched. More of you, Lord, that is what I need. Please, meet me here as I still myself and sit at your feet. Thank you, Lord.

The Lord Will Satisfy – Jeremiah 31:14

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:14 (NIV)

“I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty,” declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 31:14 (MSG)

“I’ll make sure that their priests get three square meals a day and that my people have more than enough.’” God’s Decree.”

***************************************

“I will fully satisfy the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” says the Lord.” -AMPLIFIED

“God will bring about spiritual “fatness.”  One is fat when one continually consumes more than one needs as well as retains that which one has consumed.  Spiritually, then, this means continually, rather than sparingly, receiving God’s goodness and His Spirit and then retaining and being satisfied with what one has received.” ~Melissa Beaty

As we have delved into Jeremiah 31, we have been seeing what the benefits of walking in obedience to the Lord looks like. We are told that the people of Israel will one day return in obedience and will be blessed with joy and gladness, rejoicing and dancing in celebration.

“Then the young women will rejoice with dancing, while young and old men rejoice together.
I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.” -Jeremiah 31:13 (CSB)

And when the scattered people of Israel return in obedience, they will finally find their satisfaction in the Lord.

“From the overflow of sacrifices, I will satisfy My priests; all My people will feast on My goodness. This is what the Eternal declares!” -(VOICE)

Part of the disobedience of the people of Israel was that they failed to bring their sacrifices and offerings to the Lord, as He had instructed them to do. The prophet Joel recorded this for us:

“You priests, throw off your fine robes. Dress in sackcloth and grieve. Wail, you servants at the altar. Come into the temple and spend all night in your sackcloth, you ministers of my God, because no one brings grain and wine to offer at your God’s house these days.” -Joel 1:13 (VOICE)

But in the latter days things will change. The people will once again bring their sacrifices and offerings to the Lord.

Two things stand out in this passage. Two things that are the outcome of their obedience to the Lord:

• 1.) “I will refresh the priests with an abundance…” -(CSB) God will provide more than enough for the priests. Notice that word abundance, it means plenty, or more than enough.

“I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance: The idea is that the priests would have a great abundance because the people were so blessed. The people tithed much because they were blessed much.” ~David Guzik

And…

• 2.) “...and my people will be satisfied with my goodness.” -(CSB) The people will be satisfied, content, happy, joyful with Adonai’s goodness.

“I will feast the priests with the abundance of offerings brought to them at the Temple; I will satisfy my people with my bounty, says the Lord.” -(TLB)

“God will give the spiritual leaders of his people enough and more than enough, more than they can take in, he will satiate them with fatness. What a delightful promise this is! Listen to it and carry it home, all of you who are truly the Lord’s people.” ~Charles Spurgeon

The Psalms contain many reminders for us about the fact that only God can truly satisfy us.

“For the Lord says, “Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation.” -Psalm 91:14-16 (TLB)

“For he satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good.” -Psalm 107:9 (TLB)

“The Lord lifts the fallen and those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all mankind look up to you for help; you give them their food as they need it. You constantly satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” -Psalm 145:14-16 (TLB)

True satisfaction is found only in God, and we need to remember a few things in order to experience that satisfaction fully:

1.) God wants us to keep our minds focused on Him: “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],
because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” -Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

2.) God wants us to seek after Him: “Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:12-13 (AMP)

3.) God gives us everything we need. “His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue.” -2 Peter 1:3 (VOICE)

4.) God wants us to be content with what we have. “This is ironic because godliness, along with contentment, does put us ahead but not in the ways some imagine. You see we came into this world with nothing, and nothing is going with us on the way out! So as long as we are clothed and fed, we should be happy.” -1 Timothy 6:6-8 (VOICE)

5.) God wants us to trust Him completely, no matter what. “Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish, and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead. And don’t think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong. Respect the Eternal; turn and run from evil. If you depend on Him, your body and mind will be free from the strain of a sinful life, will experience healing and health, and will be strengthened at their core.” -Proverbs 3:5-8 (VOICE)

“The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately, and forever.” ~A. W. Tozer

My friend, God is the only One who can truly satisfy us. We all have tried to satisfy that hunger and thirst within our souls in some other way, that was B.C., before Christ. And, hopefully we have learned that nothing else can fill that emptiness within, that satisfaction, but God. Let us learn to be fully satisfied in Him, for He is the Source of all we need.

“The secret for contentment in every situation is to focus on the Lord–as Sovereign, as Savior, and as the Sufficient One.” ~Steven J. Cole

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, you alone can satisfy my soul. You give me love, joy, and peace. Your mercies are new every morning. Help me, Lord to learn to be content in you. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you, seeking after you all the time. For it is you that gives me everything that I need, and I am grateful for your gifts. Please, help my faith and trust in you to grow stronger. Help me to remember that you are more than enough for me. Thank you, Lord, you are so good to me. ❤

A Well-Watered Garden – Jeremiah 31:12

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:12 (NIV)

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:12 (MSG)

“The people will climb up Zion’s slopes shouting with joy, their faces beaming because of God’s bounty—Grain and wine and oil, flocks of sheep, herds of cattle. Their lives will be like a well-watered garden, never again left to dry up.”

*************************************

“They will come and sing aloud and shout for joy on the height of Zion, and will be radiant [with joy] over the goodness of the Lord—For the grain, for the new wine, for the oil, and for the young of the flock and the herd. And their life will be like a watered garden, and they shall never sorrow or languish again.” -AMPLIFIED

“Being delivered from enemies stronger than themselves, God’s people will rejoice mightily when they finally take up residence in Zion.  The presence of wheat means that the people’s physical needs will be met; the presence of wine that there will be cause for rejoicing; oil to symbolize light and the presence of the Spirit of God; and the young of the flock to imply that the weakest and most vulnerable will flourish under God’s protection.” ~Melissa Beaty

The Lord will be Israel’s Rescuer and Redeemer, He has stated this:

“…for the Lord has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the power of one stronger than he.” -Jeremiah 31:11 (CSB)

And when His people are redeemed, they will come home in gladness, and the Lord will care for their every need, both physical and spiritual. The people will be like a well-watered garden. God’s Message:

“The redeemed will return home and shout for joy from the top of Mount Zion; they will shine with the sheer goodness of the Eternal—The harvests of grain, wine, and oil; the healthy flocks and herds. Their lives will be like a lush, well-watered garden. From that day on, they will never know sorrow.” -(VOICE)

When the people of Israel are rescued and redeemed, returning to their home, their response will be just the opposite of what it was when they were carried away into captivity. They went in sorrow and grief, heartbroken and with regrets. But when they return, they will come with dancing, celebration, and joyful singing to the hills of their homeland, Zion.

They will come streaming home, their faces shining and radiant because of the goodness of God. At that time, they will finally grasp how deep the love of God is for them. They will begin to fathom that He was the Bedrock of the lives all the time, just as Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

“Father, out of Your honorable and glorious riches, strengthen Your people. Fill their souls with the power of Your Spirit so that through faith the Anointed One will reside in their hearts. May love be the rich soil where their lives take root. May it be the bedrock where their lives are founded so that together with all of Your people they will have the power to understand that the love of the Anointed is infinitely long, wide, high, and deep, surpassing everything anyone previously experienced. God, may Your fullness flood through their entire beings.” -Ephesians 3:16-19 (VOICE)

The Lord will personally provide for them, out of the goodness of His heart, everything they need. There will be flourishing crops, good grain, fresh oil, new wine, healthy sheep, and cattle. And the people themselves will be like a well-watered garden.

What does a well-watered garden look like anyhow? A well-watered garden contains plants that are flourishing and strong, there will be bright flowers and good fruit. The weeds will have been pulled, and the garden itself is well maintained. And most importantly, The Gardener enjoys walking through this garden.

“And they should be a beautiful, flourishing, growing people, like a watered garden that looks cheerly, and in which things grow and thrive (for soul doth not seem here to be taken for men’s spiritual and immortal part, but for the whole man).” ~Matthew Poole

The Psalmist wrote this song for the exiles as they returned to their homeland:

“Remember when the Eternal brought back the exiles to Zion?
    It was as if we were dreaming—
Our mouths were filled with laughter;
    our tongues were spilling over into song.
The word went out across the prairies and deserts,
    across the hills, over the oceans wide, from nation to nation:
“The Eternal has done remarkable things for them.”
We shook our heads. All of us were stunned—the Eternal has done remarkable things for us.
    We were beyond happy, beyond joyful. And now, Eternal One, some are held captive and poor.
    Release them, and restore our fortunes
    as the dry riverbeds of the South spring to life when the rains come at last.
Those who walk the fields to sow, casting their seed in tears,
    will one day tread those same long rows, amazed by what’s appeared.
Those who weep as they walk
    and plant with sighs
Will return singing with joy,
    when they bring home the harvest.” -Psalm 126 (VOICE)

“They shall come home and sing songs of joy upon the hills of Zion and shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord—the good crops, the wheat, the wine, and the oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life shall be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows shall be gone.” -(TLB)

“These are all temporal mercies, and it is a great blessing to see God’s goodness in them. If God blesses common mercies, they are blessings indeed; but without his blessing they may become idols, and so may become curses. What a delightful simile! It is of little use for the body to be fed unless the soul also is well nourished: “Their soul shall be as a watered garden;”” ~Charles Spurgeon

Scripture speaks much about gardens and trees, crops, and harvests. Here is just a sampling of what is given to us:

We are told to be like a tree planted by the water, bearing much fruit:

“You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun. No matter what you do, you prosper.” -Psalm 1:3 (VOICE)

We are reminded that God will personally tend the garden:

Eternal One: “I, the Eternal One, tend and keep this vineyard; I water and guard it day and night, Protecting it against any that might wish to harm it.” -Isaiah 27:3 (VOICE)

When we feel we are in a dry spell, God tells us He will nourish us and give us strength:

“The Eternal One will never leave you; He will lead you in the way that you should go. When you feel dried up and worthless, God will nourish you and give you strength. And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.” -Isaiah 58:11 (VOICE)

In fact, Jesus reminds us that He is the Living Water that will quench our thirsty roots, and He is the Well that will never run dry:

“Drink this water, and your thirst is quenched only for a moment. You must return to this well again and again. I offer water that will become a wellspring within you that gives life throughout eternity. You will never be thirsty again.” -John 4:13-14 (VOICE)

We are reminded that only the Lord can truly quench our thirst and satisfy our hunger:

“He has quenched their thirst, and He has satisfied their hunger with what is good.” -Psalm 107:9 (VOICE)

And a well-watered garden will bear fruit:

“If you abide in Me and My voice abides in you, anything you ask will come to pass for you. Your abundant growth and your faithfulness as My followers will bring glory to the Father.” -John 15:7-9 (VOICE)

That well-watered garden will produce good, healthy fruit:

“The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this.” -Galatians 5:22-23 (VOICE)

“The growth of plants is often used as a metaphor for spiritual growth and transformation. Just as plants need proper care and nourishment to thrive, believers require spiritual nourishment through prayer, Scripture, and community to mature in their faith.” ~Jamie Wilson

My friend, how is the garden of your life growing? Are you allowing the Lord to tend your garden? Are you planted by the waters? Have you been watered by the Living Water? Are you growing good fruit? I hope you can answer yes to all of those questions. If not, take time today to seek out the Master Gardener and allow Him to tend to the garden of your heart. Remember, we need to consciously be working at growing.

“We need water to live. That is true for the flowers in my garden and my life as a Christian. I water the flowers in the evening when it’s cool and allow the water to run deep into the soil. It gives time for the moisture to be taken up into the plant before the heat of the day arrives. I find that I need to spend time with God every day to prepare me for the challenges of life that can hit me like the noonday heat. As I pursue God in prayer, reading his word and spending time with other believers who encourage, support and spur me on, I am being watered in my faith. It strengthens me, builds me up and results in growth.” ~Ruth Clemence

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, you are the Master Gardener. In fact, you began everything, in the Beginning, in a garden, and in the end, again, there will be a garden. You liken me to a garden. And you have instructed me to be planted by the waters, the Living Water. As you tend to the garden of my heart, Lord, I ask that you help me to be accepting of the pruning and tender-loving care that you are giving to me. Pull the weeds out, and help me to flourish under your gentle care, that I may grow fruit that is good and pleasing to you. Lord, you are always welcome in the garden of my heart.

The Blessings of Obedience -Jeremiah 31:5

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:5 (NIV)

“Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.”

Jeremiah 31:5 (MSG)

“You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards on the Samaritan hillsides, and sit back and enjoy the fruit—oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests!”

*********************************************************

“Again you will plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters will plant and enjoy the [abundant] fruit [in peace].” -AMPLIFIED

“God’s people shall get to work again; and they shall have the fruit of their toil, and shall rejoice before God because they do not labour in vain nor spend their strength for nought.” ~Charles Spurgeon

Yesterday we were reminded that God is The Builder, and often He has to rebuild us too, just as He had to rebuild Israel. When He does rebuild, it is a time for joy and gladness. We tend to not view His rebuilding in our lives that way, but we are told it should be a time of celebration, because victory has finally arrived. God’s Message:

“Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt, Virgin Israel. You will take up your tambourines again
and go out in joyful dancing.” -Jeremiah 31:4 (CSB)

The Lord continues to declare what life will be like in the latter days for Israel. He focuses now on the planting of the vineyards and the crops. He conveys to them that His blessings and joy will return once they are obedient to Him. God’s Message:

“You will again plant vineyards on the hillsides of Samaria; your farmers will plant them, and you will enjoy the fruit yourselves.” -(VOICE)

Because of her rebellious spirit against the Lord, Samaria, the capital of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, was conquered in 722-721 B.C. Part of the curse for disobedience towards the Lord was that her crops would be affected by heat and drought, blight and mildew. We can find this in Deuteronomy 28:

“The Eternal will strike you with plague—consumption and fever and inflammation—in the land where you’re going to live, and it will never leave until none of you are left alive there. He’ll afflict your land with heat and drought; He’ll afflict your crops with blight and mildew. All of these things will keep coming after you until you’re destroyed! ” -Deuteronomy 28:21-211 (VOICE)

A few verses further down we also find this detail:

“You’ll plant a vineyard but never enjoy its fruit.” -Deuteronomy 28:30c (VOICE)

But…God tells Israel that in the latter days, they will once again plant their vineyards on the hillside and their crops in the fields and will finally be able to enjoy them personally.

NOTE: There is deeper significance to this Message than first meets the eye. The people would go home and settle in, plant their crops, and wait patiently, in obedience, to the Lord. The Lord’s blessings would return to them, but those blessings hinged on their obedience. Consider what the Lord’s expectation would be from them:

“When you go into the land and plant fruit-bearing trees, you are not to eat the fruit right away. It’s off-limits for three years. When the fourth year arrives, all the fruit of those trees must be regarded as sacred, a praise offering to Me. When the fifth year arrives, you are finally allowed to eat the fruits of those trees. If you demonstrate your faith by following this procedure, these trees will be even more productive. I am the Eternal One, your God.” -Leviticus 19:23-25 (VOICE)

“By the law of Moses no man was permitted to eat of the fruit of his vineyard till the fifth year after planting. For the first three years it was considered uncircumcised, unclean, not fit to be eaten; in the fourth year it was holy to the Lord, the fruit belonged to Him; in the fifth year he might use it for himself. But in the time here mentioned the fruit should be considered common-lawful at all times to be eaten.” ~Adam Clark

The key would be their obedience to the Lord. And this Message conveys that the Israelites lives would return to normalcy by obeying the Lord. In their obedience to Him, the people of Israel would enjoy the fruit of their labor once again.

Take note, the Lord predicts that Israel will be obedient to Him in the latter days. And once again, His blessings will be poured out on them.

“Again you will plant your vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there.” -(TLB)

“They would return to Samaria and resume their agricultural pursuits, which the Lord, not Baal, would bless with fertility.” ~Thomas Constable

The Bible is very clear, obedience leads to blessing from the Lord. And this lesson is given to us more than once. Make note:

• “If you walk in My decrees and keep My commandments in your daily lives, I will grant you plenty of rain in the seasons when you need it, and your land will produce abundant crops and your trees will be filled with fruit. Your grain threshing will last until the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until it is time to plant again. You will fill your bellies with food and feel secure as you live in the land. I will see to it that you have peace in your land. You will be able to go to bed at night without a worry on your mind. I will take away the dangerous animals that roam your land, and no armies will invade your land.  When you go after your enemies, they will fall by your sword. Five of you will go after 100 of your enemies, and 100 of you will cause 10,000 to flee. I will grant you My favor, and you will be fruitful, multiply, and have many healthy children, and I will continue to honor My covenant with you. You will have so much surplus food from year to year that you will have to make room for the new harvest when it comes in.” -Leviticus 26:3-10 (VOICE)

“Obedience is something our old nature recoils at. Let’s face it our flesh likes to be satisfied and not take orders, especially biblical commandments. But the more I read and study my Bible the more I realize that obedience is the pathway to blessings. Obeying God’s Word, while not always easy, is the best investment you can make with your time, your talent, and your treasury.” ~Curt Blattman

• “If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God: God’s blessing inside the city, God’s blessing in the country; God’s blessing on your children, the crops of your land, the young of your livestock, the calves of your herds, the lambs of your flocks, God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl; God’s blessing in your coming in, God’s blessing in your going out.” -Deuteronomy 28:1-6 (MSG)

• “Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow;
  though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” -Isaiah 1:18-20 (CSB)

• “The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the Lord your God, who punishes you for your own good and leads you along the paths that you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my laws! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river, and great waves of righteousness. Then you would have become as numerous as the sands along the seashores of the world, too many to count, and there would have been no need for your destruction.” -Isaiah 48:17-19 (TLB)

• “But the truly happy person is the one who carefully studies God’s perfect law that makes people free. He continues to study it. He listens to God’s teaching and does not forget what he heard. Then he obeys what God’s teaching says. When he does this, it makes him happy.” -James 1:15 (ICB)

• “So, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on bedrock. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the wind blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed — and its collapse was horrendous!” -Matthew 7:24-27 (Complete Jewish Bible)

“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.” ~Jesus (John 14:15 AMP)

My friend, the key to receiving God’s blessings is obedience to Him. Scripture tells this over and over again. So, if you feel like you have been missing out on God’s blessings, it may be time to sit quietly in His presence and do a heart check. Confess any sins that you find in your life. Allow God to speak to you and reveal to you changes that you need to make in your life. Then, step out in obedience and do them.

“Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it!” ~Jesus (Luke 11:28 AMPC)

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I am reminded that you expect obedience from your children. In fact, your Word teaches me that Your blessings are the fruit, the reward, of my obedience to you. So, Lord, teach me to be quick to obey you. Help me to continually walk in obedience to you, questioning not your directives, but instead choosing to walk in them. To do so is an expression of my love to you, and I want you to know how much I do love you. I am so thankful for you, Lord, may be obedience to you show you this.

The Builder – Jeremiah 31:4

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:4 (NIV)

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:4 (MSG)

“And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again, dear virgin Israel. You’ll resume your singing, grabbing tambourines and joining the dance.”

*****************************************

“Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel! You will again be adorned with your tambourines and timbrels and go out to the dances of those who celebrate.” -AMPLIFIED

“God’s loyal love to Israel will mean that He restores and builds them, and this is assured (you shall be rebuilt). Israel’s restoration will mean joy, dancing, and abundance.” ~David Guzik

The Lord has been speaking to His people about His everlasting love for His them. His love had faithfully continued for them despite the fact that they had proven to be unfaithful to Him. God’s Message to them:

“..the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” -Jeremiah 31:3 (CSB)

That Message continues, as we find Adonai declaring that as He was The Builder, He would build them up once again. God’s Message:

“And so it shall be again, My virgin Israel; I will build you up, and you will be rebuilt. You will again take up the tambourine and join with those who are dancing for joy.” -(VOICE)

This verse begins with an interesting expression that varies in each translation, but conveys the same idea:

• “Again I will build you…” -(CSB)
• “I will build thee again…’-(DARBY)
• “Once again I will build you up…” -(NOG)

Adonai, The Builder, will once again step in and rebuild Israel. And when He does, it will be good.

Notice, the Lord calls unfaithful Israel a virgin, the Lord will once again restore her purity.

The response of the people of Israel will be one of joy and gladness, as it should be. When God rebuilds and restores Israel there will once again be the sound of tambourines and timbrels, instruments used usually by the women following a great victory.

God will restore Israel’s joy. He will once again give her a reason to dance and celebrate.

“The Lord would rebuild His people into a nation that was uniquely His own.” ~Thomas Constable

“I will rebuild your nation, O virgin of Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with the timbrels.” -(TLB)

“Jerusalem was all broken down, her houses were vacant, and her palaces were in ruins, but God’s promise to her was, “Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built.” If the preacher tries to rebuild those who are spiritually broken down, his work may be a failure; but when God does it, it is effectually done. God can take away his people’s sorrow, and fill them with exultant joy. Their flying feet shall follow the flying music, and they shall be exceeding glad. May the Lord make his people joyful now in his house of prayer!” ~Charles Spurgeon

Scripture speaks about God being The Builder in various ways:

God was the Creator:

“In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below.” -Genesis 1:1a (VOICE)

God is The Builder of all things:

“For [of course] every house is built and furnished by someone, but the Builder of all things and the Furnisher [of the entire equipment of all things] is God.” -Hebrews 3:4 (AMPC)

God must build the house, or the build will be for nothing:

“If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?” -Psalm 127:1-2 (MSG)

God builds our character through our faith in Him:

“By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. Christ has also introduced us to God’s gift of undeserved grace on which we now take our stand. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God. But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.” -Romans 5:1-5 (CEV)

God is even now building for us a forever home:

“We know that when the tent which houses us here on earth is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a building not made by human hands, to house us in heaven. For in this tent, our earthly body, we groan with desire to have around us the home from heaven that will be ours. With this around us we will not be found naked. Yes, while we are in this body, we groan with the sense of being oppressed: it is not so much that we want to take something off, but rather to put something on over it; so that what must die may be swallowed up by the Life. Moreover, it is God who has prepared us for this very thing, and as a pledge he has given us his Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (CJB)

“Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God, and keep on believing in Me. My Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you. If there were not room for everyone, I would have told you that. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival. I will be there to greet you personally and welcome you home, where we will be together.” ~Jesus (John 14:1-3 VOICE)

My friend, our Lord is The Builder, The Architect, The Creator. He knows what He is doing. He does not make mistakes. What He is building in you is for a reason; He has a purpose and a plan. He is building within us good character, to help us to become the perfect reflection of Him. May His work in you produce within you joy and gladness. Remember, He is even now at work preparing an eternal home with Him for you and I. That in and of itself should fill our hearts with gladness. Maranatha!

“God our Builder wants to erect, furnish, and prepare us to be ready to reflect His image. His desire is to adorn and equip us, His “living temples,” with all things necessary to fulfill the purpose for which we were born. So many times we deny God access to our lives, giving Him logical reasons why we could not possibly be built into His image. He stands ready to give you reasons why you can be built into the image of God. Are you ready to say yes to God’s master plan for your life? He is the Builder of everything. He wrote the blueprint of your life before you were born. Will you let Him craft your life into the masterpiece it is meant to be?” ~Wendy Pope

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, you are The Builder. You are at work in every one of your children, transforming them into what is good and perfect in your sight. Though I have a tendency to be unfaithful, you, Lord, remain faithful. I am so grateful for this truth. Lord, as you work within my life to hone the character within me that you desire, help me to be submissive, and flexible in the hands of the Master Builder. Build my character. Help my faith in you to grow stronger. Remind me to keep my eyes on the goal, an eternity spent in the eternal home that you are building for your children. Thank you, Lord, I am trusting you.