God Desires to Build His Kingdom as a Place of RIghteous
Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 31:23-30 (NASB)
23 This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “Once again they will speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore their fortunes,
‘The Lord bless you, O place of righteousness,
O holy hill!’
24 Judah and all its cities will live together in it, the farmers and those who travel with flocks. 25 For I give plenty of water to the weary ones, and refresh everyone who languishes.” 26 At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep had been pleasant to me.
A New Covenant
27 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of mankind and the seed of animals. 28 And just as I have watched over them to uproot them, tear them down, ruin, destroy, and bring disaster on them, so I will watch over them to build and to plant them,” declares the Lord.
29 “In those days they will no longer say,
‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
But it is the children’s teeth that have become blunt.’
30 But everyone will die for his own wrongdoing; each person who eats the sour grapes, his own teeth will become blunt.
SUMMARY
God revealed to Jeremiah in his dream that the people of Judah will return from the captivity. Jerusalem will be a place of righteousness where weary and weak ones will find rest and revive. God promises He will watch over the houses of Israel and Judah and multiply them. Everyone will be accountable for his own sins.
MEDITATION
In Jeremiah’s encounter with God, he was so glad to know God’s promises for people of Judah. The land can be restored. The pilgrims can return. Their physical weariness can rest to recover. Their soul can be refreshed. Our merciful God has watched over His people. Just like what we read in Jeremiah 1:10. God fulfills his words. He uproots and tears down, yet, He restores and rebuilds. When I meditate on these verses, I am filled with joy that Jeremiah had. Verse 26 described that Jeremiah woke up, looked around, and rejoiced knowing God’s salvation plan.
APPLICATION
I recently entered into some time of testing that God allowed. What God is taking away might not seem like a thrilled process. God gives me hope that He will one day restore. Doubts and insecurity are the first tactic enemies present. My sinful thoughts are full of blame shifting and forming conspiracy. I find my quiet time through the book of Jeremiah is perfect evidence that His word is alive and active. God uses Scriptures to correct me, train me, reproof me, and help me to see through God’s perspective. God desires to build His Kingdom as a place of righteous. God is Holy. He gives me warning to repent and to return to Him. Everyone will die for his own wrongdoing. Without salvation through Christ Jesus, I have no escape route. I should wake up, look around, and rejoice in the God of my Salvation.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for speaking to me through Jeremiah. You are so faithful when I am so faithless. Help me stand firm and be strong. I pray that You uproot weeds in my heart that are not pleasing in Your eyes. Give me plenty of water when I am weary and refresh my soul with Your Word. Help me to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. In the name of Jesus I pray.
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