Today is just a bit lighter. We are going to have a look at
why in the world He cares so much. God does care for you, sister.
Begin at Jeremiah 11. God instructs Jeremiah to remind Israel about
their covenant.
Sisters, we have a marriage covenant with Him as the Bride
of Christ.
At my church, the weddings our pastor performs often include
in the charge to the couple this reminder; that marriage is not a contract which can be broken. It is a covenant an unbreakable agreement where
both sides exhibit a responsibility. A covenant is stronger than a pact, a
handshake, or a promise.
God is Truth, and He made a covenant with us. This is a big
reason why He works so hard at getting us, wandering hearts that we are, back.
He longs to fulfill His side of the covenant, but it is two sided. See verses
4-5
I notice in 11:4 how well He remembers His promise. How many
times have we tried to recall something but some of the details are a little
fuzzy. I’m not talking about when you were trying to recall a dream,
necessarily, but promises you have made, events or words from your childhood,
or even stuff you learned in school. We really don’t have that great of
memories when you get right down to it. But God does. He remembers every word.
Every detail. Throughout our study you will see Him referencing His words again
and again, and you can be sure He gets it right.
Jeremiah 11:4 “For I said …if you obey me …then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” NLT
He is crying here for His Bride to remember just one very
important thing.
Remember the covenant we made.
Remember your wedding vows.
(Verses 2, 6, 7)
Some of us, Sisters, have willfully rejected Him. Maybe
something harsh has happened in your life that you wish God hadn’t allowed. If
God is good, why would He allow suffering?
Or maybe you have just casually rejected Him – your new life
with Him is too mundane and you have looked elsewhere for excitement.
Or maybe
you don’t even realize it but your busy schedule has crowded out any time to
spend with him or worshipping Him, or serving Him.
If you feel your heart agreeing with any of the above, you
are not alone. And I’m glad you’re here. And I’m glad you’re listening. It is
very hard to recognize sometimes, when our heart isn’t right with God.
Verse 15 What right have we?
We have seen how faithful our Groom is. We have seen how
good, and patient, and wise and forgiving.
WHAT RIGHT have we to take advantage? We are breaking His
heart – because, Sisters, even if we don’t see it (or don’t care), God sees it,
and most definitely cares. He is aware of our decline (vs 16). He knows the
pruning we require, and he has the power to perform it, and He is right to do
it.
Jeremiah 20:12 “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, You test those who are righteous, and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets.” NLT
Yes sometimes He allows suffering and sometimes He orders
it. And always for our good, and always for the good of the covenant.
“If they obey”: If we aren’t obeying, He needs to give us
that “Divine Spanking” so we will.
“They will be My people”: His people. We have taken His
name, and therefore for His name’s sake we must be Holy. His character allows
nothing less.
“And I will be their God.”: He alone is God.
Psalm 113:5 “Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high?” NLT
Psalm 35:10a “With every bone in my body I will praise him: “Lord, who can compare with you?” NLT
Exodus 15:11“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?” NLT
Psalm 89:6a “For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord?” NLT
Who can compare?
And why would we want to?
In your prayer time, spend some time praising Him for His
most excellent covenant, and unmatched faithfulness to it, no matter what that brings us through in the meantime.
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