Hope on the inside!
The Lord speaks to Jeremiah and tells him to write His words in a book. The Lord promises that He will bring Israel and Judah back from captivity. There is discussion among scholars about whether some of these prophetic words also point toward an end-times restoration, but for now, we're going to stick to the main and plain.
The captivity is described as severe. Jeremiah pictures men pale with fear, with their hands on their sides like women in labor. The bondage would be overwhelming, and bondage always is.
But then the Lord says: "For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD..." Jeremiah 30:17
In context, this promise is spoken directly to Israel. But through it, we can see the Lord's heart for His people even in the midst of their rebellion and its consequences. When things seemed hopeless, God spoke a word of hope. Judgment would not have the final word. The Lord promised restoration.
Be encouraged by this. Even as children of God, we can be stiff-necked, hard-hearted, selfish, and self-willed. Even writing those words is disheartening.
But God. But God...
The Lord is full of grace. Grace we cannot even begin to fully comprehend. Our failures do not make sin insignificant, but they remind us how desperately we need His mercy and how wonderful His grace truly is.
Do you recognize the grace of God upon your own life?
Do you extend that kind of grace to others?
Those who understand how much they have been forgiven should be people who are willing to forgive. Those who have experienced the grace of God should desire to extend grace to others.
Check your heart and your relationships today. Is there someone you're withholding grace from? Is there someone you're refusing to forgive?
Remember how gracious the Lord has been toward you, and let the grace you've received shape the grace you extend to others.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.