My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”  Psalm 27:8

Life moves along steadily, with no bumps in the road, until it doesn’t.  The economy takes a sudden downturn and our steady work is threatened which brings stress to an already overextended budget.  Routine test results signal other tests and worry seems in about what will happen next.  Family relationships suddenly are not what you thought which brings on challenges that are hard to bear. Political leaders in all sectors of society do not get along and the peace we once knew has turned to chaotic uncertainties.  We live on the edge with no margin to spare and think we can do life without God.

We cannot.  We cannot figure out life on our own.  We must call the One and Only who holds the Truth and who is Life.  God made a Way for us to call and come to Him through Jesus, His Son.  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6 

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –Jesus  John 16:33

God makes it clear to Jeremiah in his day that He is in control.  Jesus makes it clear for us that God is still in control.  Call to God no matter what is going on and He will answer.  He does for me, I know He will do it for you, too.

Jeremiah 33, The Message

Things You Could Never Figure Out on Your Own

33 While Jeremiah was still locked up in jail, a second Message from God was given to him:

^2-3 “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

^4-5 “This is what God, the God of Israel, has to say about what’s going on in this city, about the homes of both people and kings that have been demolished, about all the ravages of war and the killing by the Chaldeans, and about the streets littered with the dead bodies of those killed because of my raging anger—about all that’s happened because the evil actions in this city have turned my stomach in disgust.

^6-9 “But now take another look. I’m going to give this city a thorough renovation, working a true healing inside and out. I’m going to show them life whole, life brimming with blessings. I’ll restore everything that was lost to Judah and Jerusalem. I’ll build everything back as good as new. I’ll scrub them clean from the dirt they’ve done against me. I’ll forgive everything they’ve done wrong, forgive all their rebellions. And Jerusalem will be a center of joy and praise and glory for all the countries on earth. They’ll get reports on all the good I’m doing for her. They’ll be in awe of the blessings I am pouring on her.

^10-11 “Yes, God’s Message: ‘You’re going to look at this place, these empty and desolate towns of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, and say, “A wasteland. Unlivable. Not even a dog could live here.” But the time is coming when you’re going to hear laughter and celebration, marriage festivities, people exclaiming, “Thank God-of-the-Angel-Armies. He’s so good! His love never quits,” as they bring thank offerings into God’s Temple. I’ll restore everything that was lost in this land. I’ll make everything as good as new.’ I, God, say so.

^12-13 “God-of-the-Angel-Armies says: ‘This coming desolation, unfit for even a stray dog, is once again going to become a pasture for shepherds who care for their flocks. You’ll see flocks everywhere—in the mountains around the towns of the Shephelah and Negev, all over the territory of Benjamin, around Jerusalem and the towns of Judah—flocks under the care of shepherds who keep track of each sheep.’ God says so.

A Fresh and True Shoot from the David-Tree

^14-18 “‘Watch for this: The time is coming’—God’s Decree—‘when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. That’s when Judah will be secure and Jerusalem live in safety. The motto for the city will be, “God Has Set Things Right for Us.” God has made it clear that there will always be a descendant of David ruling the people of Israel and that there will always be Levitical priests on hand to offer burnt offerings, present grain offerings, and carry on the sacrificial worship in my honor.’”

* * *

^19-22 God’s Message to Jeremiah: “God says, ‘If my covenant with day and my covenant with night ever fell apart so that day and night became haphazard and you never knew which was coming and when, then and only then would my covenant with my servant David fall apart and his descendants no longer rule. The same goes for the Levitical priests who serve me. Just as you can’t number the stars in the sky nor measure the sand on the seashore, neither will you be able to account for the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who serve me.’”

* * *

^23-24 God’s Message to Jeremiah: “Have you heard the saying that’s making the rounds: ‘The two families God chose, Israel and Judah, he disowned’? And have you noticed that my people are treated with contempt, with rumors afoot that there’s nothing to them anymore?

^25-26 “Well, here’s God’s response: ‘If my covenant with day and night wasn’t in working order, if sky and earth weren’t functioning the way I set them going, then, but only then, you might think I had disowned the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David, and that I wouldn’t set up any of David’s descendants over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But as it is, I will give them back everything they’ve lost. The last word is, I will have mercy on them.’”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Teach me, Lord.  Because Jeremiah asked the Lord to teach him, God showed him “great and mighty things, which you do not know” (v. 3) that related to the future of His people. The prophet knew that the city was destined for judgment, but the Lord gave him further words of assurance and encouragement—promises that relate to the end times.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Psalm 143:10

To God be the Glory.  The defiled nation of Israel would be healed and cleansed and the disgraceful city would bring joy and renown to the Lord as a testimony of our marvelous, merciful God.  “I will give back all that was lost.”

Jesus.  From the remnant, the root of David, the King of kings and Lord of lords with come to reconcile all to God.  Jeremiah is given a glimpse of Jesus, the greatest blessing of all who would be their promised King reigning in righteousness. Jeremiah revealed that His name is “God Has Set Things Right for Us”, but here God revealed that Jerusalem will bear the same name! That certainly didn’t happen when the exiles returned to rebuild their temple and their city. Therefore, this promise is for the latter days. Then when people call Jerusalem “the Holy City,” the name will be appropriate.

Lord,

You were sent to set things right between God and man—and you did!  Thank you, God. Thank you, dear Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit for helping me daily with things I cannot figure out on my own.  You call me every morning to come and talk with you about everything—and I do.  My heart belongs to you who saved me from sin and self.  You are all I need.

In Jesus Name, Amen