A NEW COVENANT
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 31
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
First century family life is depicted by the actors in Nazareth Village as they attempt to recreate life as it was in ancient times. Today’s reading contains the statement, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel.” Jesus lived here in Nazareth from His childhood until He was 30 years old.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 31:31, 33
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Jeremiah 31 was written as an encouragement to God’s people who had been forcibly removed from Jerusalem and relocated in Babylon. The prophet reminds them of God’s promise to their father, Abraham, that in his seed all families would be blessed. Statements such as, “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” and “Again I will build you,” may have been the inspiration for Daniel’s prayer offered through his open window in Babylon, three times every day (Daniel 6:10-11).
Jeremiah 31:15-17 is a prophecy fulfilled in Bethlehem (Ramah) when Herod’s soldiers killed the babies two years old and under (Matthew 2:16-23).
One cannot miss the word “covenant” repeated four times in today’s reading (Jeremiah 31:31-34). A “covenant” is the most binding agreement that can be made between two parties. These words constitute a legal document registered in God’s unchanging Word for time and eternity. This New Covenant (or “Testament” as in Last Will and Testament) was executed by God, Himself, and sealed with the Blood of the eternal Sacrifice of the Messiah as He died on the Cross (Hebrews 7:22 – 8:13). How wonderful it is that this New Covenant is written on our hearts, not just on tablets of stone!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God of Jeremiah and Daniel, I ask that I will gain a new understanding of the New Covenant written on my heart, and may I learn to pray powerful pivotal prayers for the fulfillment of Your Word as did Daniel. “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth” (Psalm 86:11a). I pray this in the Name of the One who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6a). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
John G. Lake, an influential Christian leader in the early 20th century, observed, “There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying.” Whether one is a brand new believer in Jesus or a seasoned follower of His, when life’s storms hit us hard, we need God’s help. Take some extra time in prayer right now for that need that’s heavy on your heart…or perhaps it’s for a loved one.
Yours for knowing God hears and answers prayer,
David
The former president of Iraq (ancient Babylon), Saddam Hussein, was in the process of rebuilding the city of Babylon when the allied armies led by the U.S.A. invaded, occupied, and stopped the restoration project. This part of the wall is known as “The Ishtar Gate.”
Praying David’s prayer, this morning. Yes Lord, teach us Your way, O Lord, for we will walk in Your truth. We pray this with all thanksgiving, in the Name of the One who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” We give You all the praise and glory, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen. Be safe and warm, fellow saints.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Robin Mark – Behold the Lamb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We-3rsXsL0c
Amen
Amen Beverlee… I am praying along with you!
Oh Lord may we and our loved ones seek you with all our hearts.
Amen Anne
Amen Anne
Lord God, Your plans are good. Thank You. Thank You for Your promise that one day Israel will embrace her God. These are truly visions of heaven. Please turn all Your people back to You, dear Lord, know once again Your love, and be strengthened to do the work You have given us to do. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen, Rob
Amen!
Amen Rob
Amen Beverley, Anne and Rob! Praying for a great and mighty hunger for God to fill the hearts of all His children. That we would truly live every moment in the light of eternity. Have a blessed and uplifting day in Him, dear brothers and sisters.
Amen Deanna and God Bless my blog friends
I was so curious about Jeremiah and was blessed to find some info on him:
Jeremiah was a preacher’s son, for his father Hilkiah was a priest. He was born in the village of Anathoth, close enough to Jerusalem to see the city walls, but at the edge of the wilderness, where the land slopes down to the Dead Sea. He labored as God’s prophet for forty years or more, from 627 b.c. to some time after 586 b.c. Four decades is a long time to be a weeping prophet.
Jeremiah lived when little Israel was tossed around by three great superpowers: Assyria to the north, Egypt to the south, and Babylon to the east. He served — and suffered — through the administrations of three kings: Josiah the reformer, Jehoiakim the despot, and Zedekiah the puppet. He was a prophet during the cold November winds of Judah’s life as a nation, right up to the time God’s people were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah himself was exiled to Egypt, where he died.
Shall we gather at the river:
https://youtu.be/Y-pf-Jx19Lc
Have a glorious day dear saints.
Wow! That is great information about Jeremiah, Lynda. Thank you for providing and for the great river song–one of my favourites!!
Amen and thank you saints for all your posts. Jeremiah was an outstanding prophet. Has been snowing here for the last two days. Before that the dust was flying on the roads. Lord help us to be faithful in praying and sharing your Word during our watch here on earth that we may see your promises fulfilled. Amen!
Hey Ger, we are having the same here in Picton. A few inches came down yesterday, then overnight, and has been snowing all day; predicted to do the same tomorrow. We have had it easy, until now. Stay safe and warm!
Yes thank you for the information
Our heart get closer to God
It may take ‘the fear of God’ to awaken a desire to know Him and refill our churches with true worship and praise.My son is one such person for I had little knowledge of the Father,the Son and no knowledge of the Holy Spirit.That began to change 10 years ago.Now I am saved and in the lifeboat but my son won’t take my hand and I don’t try to force it on him for it will have to be someone else who convicts him.
A father’s prayer for his son:
‘ Thank You,Father,for all the blessings.I ask for
your blessings on my son and his family,for he
thinks he doesn’t want to know You.That’s because
he ‘does not know’ You.Like Paul,no one can know
the richness of your love better than those who
were against you and were turned around to find you
through righteous repentance.Thank You,Father.I
pray this in Jesus’ most holy name.Amen ‘
(GW) Bill Marshall/05-Jan-16
……………………………………..
Here is the free movie Daniel.I have watched it several times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRfKD7ChLeg
Compare the contrast between these 2 scriptures.God is like a husband forgiving his wayward fife and coming to take her home from her sin and temptation where she will not be ‘infected’ again (for sin is an infection inoculated by lies from the enemy):
Jeremiah 31 New International Version (NIV)
‘” 35 This is what the Lord says,
he who appoints the sun
to shine by day,
who decrees the moon and stars
to shine by night,
who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar—
the Lord Almighty is his name:
36
“Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,”
declares the Lord,
“will Israel ever cease
being a nation before me.” ”’
(( “Only if”….))
Revelation 6:12c-14 (NIV)
”’ the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Something to ponder.I look forward to that day.”What a day that will be….”
Yall be blessed
Thanks for the movie, Bill! I will watch it!!
Amen to every comment above!
Thanks bloggers, and, in particular David for the prayers, comments, songs; and thank you Mainse family for continuing to post this blog daily!!
Please pray for the Lord to remove the itching from me; am having tests next week to find out the problems;thankful for the medical staff;please pray the Lord will grant me a financial windfall of at least $550,000.00, He blessed a lady in the next town; I believe He can so this for me also, will clear debts;help some people;help family;invest the rest for a better income; serve the Lord where I can in Jesus Name I pray amen amen amen