In God My Heart Rejoices
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 30 and Psalm 33 (NIV)
(Cecilia Chow, Companions in Christ Facilitator, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
Jeremiah 30 and Psalm 33 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In a book full of warnings, Jeremiah 30-33 is a collection of messages of hope for the future for God’s people.
Here, God asked Jeremiah to record in a book, all the words that He has spoken to Jeremiah. God heard the distressed cries of His people and said the time has come for the people’s fortune to be restored, for them to go back to their land.
In Israel’s restoration, God will free His people of their yoke and bonds, but they will serve the Lord their God. A reminder that there is a relationship involved: “You shall be my people and I will be your God.” (v22).
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for his inheritance”. (Psalm 33:12).
For His eyes are “… on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. He delivers them from death, and keeps them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:18-19).
God’s people can sing joyfully, praise Him and shout for joy because
- “the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” – Ps 33:4
- “…the earth is full of His unfailing love” – Ps 33:5
- “By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made…” – Ps 33:6
- “… He spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” – Ps 33:9
- “…the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Ps 33:11
APPLY:
Through the passage of time, God reminds me that He is the creator and that He is in full and total control, regardless of the strength of the enemies. Hence, I can put my hope in Him, because His restorative plan is in place.
DO:
1. I will shift my focus to God, because I can take refuge in Him and not dwell on being overwhelmed by the current, existing challenges and be lost in them.
2. I will constantly remind myself of my relationship with Him, that I belong to Him and He is my God.
3. I will trust and rest my hope in God.
PRAY:
Father Lord, thank you for being my creator God whom I can rest my hope in at all times. Help me to remember that your warnings are meant to put me on the right path with you, and that in your being just and righteous, your compassion never fails. Thank you for your steadfast love for us. Help me to embody your grace and love, and remember to always practise kindness and be compassionate like you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
O let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him! Let all the upright in heart exult!