Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord God!  It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too hard for you.”

I know I have felt the way Jeremiah likely felt in this prayer.  I suspect you have as well.

Jeremiah just followed the bidding of the Lord, purchasing land while the Chaldeans prepared to overtake that very land.  In his human view, Jeremiah probably struggled to find the sense in this task but his prayer says it all.  God made the heavens and the earth.  He is all powerful and great beyond words.  Even though we cannot possibly see how things could work out for good, nothing is too hard for God.  Times haven’t changed much.

The idols and distractions present themselves differently than they did back in Jeremiah’s day but we still have them.  God lamented that his people turned their backs to him and not their faces.  We are still doing that today.  Is there no hope?

There is hope!  This passage gives me hope.  God tells Jeremiah he will gather his people, he will give them “one heart and one way.”  He will “rejoice in doing good to them.”  Despite their disobedience and wayward wandering, God loves his people.  Even today, God loves all his people including you and me!

Whatever valley you are in, whatever idols have hold of you, whatever draws you away from God, he is stronger, bigger and better.  Put all your trust in the power and love of God.  He is faithful and true forever!

Lord,

Your promise to restore your people resonates in my heart.  You know our cries and our pain; you know our sins and our weaknesses.  Please give us one heart and one way.  Settle us in the safety of your love.  Turn our faces to you that we may clearly see the things you are doing in us and in our world.  I ask this through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.  Amen.