God’s covenant devotion towards his people always involves the administration of his compassion. His love delivers us from sin. His love guards and preserves our way while in pursuit of His will. His love never ends, but is an inexhaustible well. His love remains present even when he must discipline His people (Heb 12:3-11). This is what the prophet Jeremiah lamented about as he looked upon the prophesized fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. To witness such judgement caused him much anguish of the soul, yet he remembered God’s wrath towards his people will not endure because his compassion never ceases, thus, “…his mercies never come to an end…”
Jeremiah reminds us that God supplies a fresh supply of his loyal love to his covenant people, thus he declares, “they are new every morning…” We can glean from Israel’s judgement that even in the midst of difficult circumstances in the life of Christian (no matter the cause), you and I can trust God because of two primary immutable characteristics of his nature:
He is Steadfast. Our ability to be consistent in our devotion to people and God has human limitations. Some days we do well when we lean on Jesus for help, and other days not so much. Further, our level of commitment (at best) mostly impacts those within our small spheres of life (influence). Not so with God. He is unchanged in his devotion and love for his people. His work of compassion fills the entire sphere of creation, thus the Psalmist declare, “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Hallelujah!
He is Faithful. God is worthy of our complete faith Him in midst of life’s troubles because of his unchanging character. We can trust in His limitless supply of grace towards us that is restorative, thus reconciling us to Him. Let us embrace Moses encouragement the children of Israel, “Know therefore that the Lord God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commands to a thousand generations” (Deut 7:9, cf., 1 Jn 1:9).
All the Bible teaches us as about God is true. Therefore, like Jeremiah we should cling to our faith that is like a life preserver in sea uncertainty (Heb 10:23). These truths should give us hope within hopeless situations that we may join Jeremiah in declaring of God, “…great is your faithfulness. (24) ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.'” Give HIM glory always and in all things, in Jesus name. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com