Wednesday, February 10, 2016

NEVERTHELESS



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In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword in the fight with the Babylonians: ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in My anger and wrath. I will hide My face from this city because of all its wickedness.”

“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against Me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me. Then this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’”

Jeremiah 33:4-9

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Nevertheless. It’s a term that simply means “in spite of that”.

An example might go like this:

Susan was afflicted with cancer but nevertheless, she was able to survive because of treatment.

Yes, Susan had a deadly disease but she was able to live in spite of that because of the medical treatment she received.

With this and an understanding of the word used in the title of this devotion, look again at today’s scripture passage from today where we see the Lord doing something in spite of the Israelites actions:

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword in the fight with the Babylonians: ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in My anger and wrath. I will hide My face from this city because of all its wickedness.”

“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against Me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me. Then this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’”  Jeremiah 33:4-9

Through the words of the Lord, we see that bad times were coming for the people of Israel in Judah. For His judgment was coming and it would be harsh. Despite the extensive preparations to safeguard the city from the assault of the Babylonians, God would ensure that the attackers would have victory and it would be a very costly loss for the Israelites as the city would fill up with their dead bodies. Such would be the penalty for inciting God’s anger and wrath. Further, God would turn His face away and hide from all that would occur in what was once a revered, divine holy city. This is how wickedness impacted God’s relationship with His people.

Well, this is no place anyone should want to be but look at the first word of the second paragraph. For although God’s was sending consequences on His people, nevertheless, He would still forgive, restore, and renew them. The city was left in ruins but in spite of that a day would come when it would rise up again from the ashes as the people returned from their seventy year exile to rebuild their homes, their city, and their relationship with God.  

In those days after the Israelites would return, the Lord would bring them health, healing, abundant peace, and security. He would rebuild them as they were before, cleansing them from the sins they committed against Him and forgetting their rebellious actions evident by their worshiping of false gods and idols.

What would result from this restoration project?

Jerusalem would once again bring admiration and renown to the Lord, a place where joy, praise and honor would be before all nations on earth who would catch word of all the good things God had done for His people. Once again, nations would look at Jerusalem with awe and be taken to a place of reverence and respect as they realized that once again the Israelites were God’s people and He was their God.

Think about how this pertains to our lives today and the best place to start is to fast forward from the Israelites of Jeremiah’s day to the Messiah Savior, Jesus, who finally came to earth after much speculation and prediction.

Consider these statements and then consider each one after the first as a progression:

1. All of God’s people were sinners after the fall in Eden’s garden and destined to be destroyed by His wrath and judgment but nevertheless God did wish for all His people to perish and so He made a way for people to find eternal life and live with Him forever by sending His Son, Jesus, to earth.

2. Jesus, God’s only Son, was crucified and died on Calvary’s cross but nevertheless He was resurrected from the grave and ascended to sit at the right hand of God, His Father and ours, making the way for others to follow.

3. We all may be sinners and separated from God because of our wickedness but nevertheless God has given us an opportunity to be pardoned from sin and to live with Him forever through His Son Jesus.

Friends, without Jesus, we are destined (and frankly deserve) to receive the fullest measure of God’s wrath and destruction. Nevertheless, His love for us was greater than His consternation and so He promised everlasting life instead of perishing to anyone who would place their belief, faith, and trust in Jesus.

Maybe you have never believed in Him before reading this devotion. Nevertheless, Jesus is ready to receive you this very moment in spite of how long you have lived apart from Him and in spite of what you may have done.

Sin may have put you in a bad way but nevertheless grace, mercy, and forgiveness can be yours through Christ.

Won’t you receive it this very moment?

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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