September 15

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt... Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria" (Jeremiah 31:3-5 NIV)

I love it when the Bible repeats itself, as in today’s Bible reading. When we want to ‘imprint’ something important we use repetition, and God does as well. In today’s verses it’s the word again that’s repeated three times. The words are aimed at people who were once in tune with God but then fell out of step in their spiritual life – people who experienced the consequences of their disobedience. They have been loved by God the whole time and are specific subjects of His grace, and now God wants to imprint hope in them of a bright future with resolve, joy and well being.

Today’s Bible verses are strong encouragement to us Christians, who have failed in various ways the whole time. God’s promise ‘again’ is not grounded in your or my behavior, but rather in God’s eternal love. Therefore, it’s worth us carrying the promise into each new day.

Prayer

Thank You Jesus that there exists a new beginning, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem. Thank You Jesus that You have prepared a ’once again’ also for me.