FILO: Advent for the Church Technical ArtistSýnishorn

Today, we are looking at a passage from Jeremiah, chapter 33, verses 14-16.

“The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.

“In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety.

And this will be its name:‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’”

Amid Israel being overrun by their enemies, Jeremiah is reminding the children of Israel of the hope for their future. He’s reminding them of who God is, that God has forgiven them and not abandoned them and that God will keep his promises even though Israel has betrayed him. I’m sure it didn’t feel like that, but, as we now know, God kept his promise.

It is in this passage that we are reminded again of God’s character. He is a keeper of promises. What situation are you going through where you need to remind yourself of this truth? What are you struggling with that you need to surrender to God? During this season, we can have a lot on our minds: family dynamics, work insanity, and even our struggles. If you weren’t thinking about them before reading this, I’m sure you’re thinking about them now. But wait, it gets better!

I encourage you to take a moment, pray, and align yourself with God’s promises. I invite you to practice relying on God for some “daily manna” as the Israelites did when God led them out of Egypt. Pray and trust God for today, not tomorrow, not next week, but here, now. And tomorrow, do the same and trust him for just tomorrow. Perhaps he is allowing you to go through this season, not because there’s something you need to learn; but because there’s something you need to unlearn. Maybe the thing that you need to unlearn is trusting and relying on anything but God for your peace of mind, hope for the future, and security from evil.

I know it's easy to say, “trust God’s promises,” but I am not so great at just manifesting more trust and making everything better. So the advice that was given to me that I’ll pass along to you is this:

Look at your day and acknowledge the “thing” that requires you to exercise the most discipline. Maybe it’s dealing with THAT PERSON at work, or perhaps it’s getting your kids to school on time, or maybe it’s working through a specific insecurity you have. Hold that idea in your mind and then invite God into that process. It may be a simple prayer like what Peter said to Jesus when he was drowning, “Lord, help me.” It may be a moment to pause and breathe where you ask the Lord for strength to have that “crucial conversation.” The key is when you find yourself at your edge, invite God to be with you right there, and let His peace that surpasses all understanding guide your heart, mind, and actions.

I pray that you find some peace in this chaotic season, my friend. And as you find that peace, be someone who passes it along to others.

- Jake Cody