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In Order. He Keeps His Promises

August 16, 2017. Jeremiah 32-34.

 

 

Jeremiah is in prison because he keeps telling King Zedekiah that Jerusalem will fall to the Babylonians and there is nothing that can be done to stop this from happening. God does not change Jeremiah’s message because he promised this would happen. However, He does add some future hope in the midst of well deserved judgement. 

God tells Jeremiah to buy the land his cousin is selling because in the future people will be living in Jerusalem once again. He buys the property as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and ability to keep His promises.

God again demonstrates his faithfulness to the promises He has made even when no hope seems to be found. The people say that God has abandoned them. God says that has as much possibility of happening as night and day reversing roles.

Jeremiah 33.23-26

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 24 “Have you noticed what people are saying?—‘The Lord chose Judah and Israel and then abandoned them!’ They are sneering and saying that Israel is not worthy to be counted as a nation. 25 But this is what the Lord says: I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws that govern night and day, earth and sky. 26 I will never abandon the descendants of Jacob or David, my servant, or change the plan that David’s descendants will rule the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead, I will restore them to their land and have mercy on them.”

In the New Testament we see the severity of God demonstrated to us when we are disciplined. When discipline is occurring in our lives it may seem like we are not loved by God nor is He very merciful.

Hebrews 12.10-11 

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

God has made us a promise to make us just like Jesus and never to forsake or leave us in the process. We will be disciplined but it is a sign that we have a father that loves us, takes an active hand in our maturity process and has the ultimate goal of our good in mind. He has not nor will He ever give up on you!

Philippians 1.6

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

God keeps His promises!

“Heavenly Father help me to  endure any discipline that i may be experiencing. May you empower me with understanding so I may know the better way to live and to trust that you are merciful in the midst of seeming to be severe towards me. I trust you as a good, good, Father who is making me into the image of Jesus Christ. Amen”

Sal Sberna

Sal Sberna was Lead Pastor at The MET Church in Houston, Texas for 20 years. He retired on February 2015. He and Kristi Sberna have been married since 1981. They have two children, Salvatore and...more