Day Twenty-Four – Jeremiah 31:23-40

Day 24 – Jeremiah 31:23-40

Did you notice the mention of the “new covenant” in this section of Jeremiah? That part’s happened! In the Old Testament, people had to obey the law and when they didn’t, they had to sacrifice an animal in their stead, representing their guilt and how they deserved punishment for their disobedience. It was an endless cycle of trying to obey God’s laws and falling short.

After Jesus took the punishment for our sins on Himself and freed us from the requirements of the law to live faultlessly, He sent His Holy Spirit to abide within us. Instead of reading the rules alone, we now have God within us, telling us what to do. The closer we walk with Him, the more easily we hear His voice telling us “this is the way, walk in it.” It’s a huge privilege that the people before Christ did not have.

We can still ignore the Spirit, however, can’t we? Even with God literally dwelling in us, we still can put our fingers in our ears and say “not listening” if we choose. God asks us to submit and surrender. He doesn’t force us to obey. True love can’t be forced. And what He wants from us most of all is true love from our hearts. He has courted us and drawn us with lovingkindness and our response is our choice.

I have to say. I am far more willing to follow the leadership of someone who genuinely loves me and wants my good. How ‘bout you? God loves us and wants our good. He has entered in to our very souls to help us live abundantly. Let’s not grieve and quench the Spirit’s voice! Let’s start each day with a yielding to Him, trusting that He knows best how to live wisely and well in the day ahead.

One of the best ways to do that is what you, dear one, are currently doing. Meeting Him each day in prayer and study of His Word. Let His words soak into your mind and flood your heart with joy! Gladly yield to the One who made you and loves you and then just watch what He will do through you in the good times and in the bad times. And never let go of the sure hope of Heaven and that there will come a day when all will be well.

My verse: Jeremiah 31:34 “And they will not need to teach their neighbors nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,’ says the LORD. ‘ And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

My response: You never gave up on Your people, Lord! They suffered great hardships, yes. Some for their own folly, and some because this world is broken. Yet Your heart was and is to bless and restore, to dwell within us and by Your own blood to make us clean, remembering our sins no more. Oh Love Divine! There is no one like You!