2017 Belmont University Lenten Devotional GuideSample

King Zedekiah imprisoned Jeremiah because he told the truth about the coming destruction of the nation. While Jeremiah was confined in the royal palace, his cousin came and asked him to “redeem” some family property. The Lord told Jeremiah to buy the property, so he did. He bought a field in Judah even though he knew the whole nation was about to be exiled to Babylon. He told his friend Baruch to put the deed to the property in a clay jar to preserve it. He saw present destruction, but he also heard and acted on the promise that God would bring the people back to this land. God promised. Jeremiah trusted beyond his own understanding. And it came to pass. The people eventually were returned to the land.

God is timeless, limitless, creator of time but not limited by it. God always has been and always will be. He said, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Jesus said of His Father, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” How can it be that people who lived centuries ago are not dead? He Himself says He is the God of living people, not dead people, and He says He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So they must not be dead? They must not be dead.

We live in time and within the circumstances of our lives on earth. Sometimes, we see too much of today. We cry like the psalmist, my heart is dismayed, my spirit grows faint within me, my spirit fails. We ask, “In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes.” Help me in my present circumstances. I cannot see beyond them.

We forget about forever. We forget that a Redeemer has already bought us for a price. We forget that, though this earthly body may die, yet we shall live. The God of promises has promised to redeem us. He already has.

BRENDA SEE
Professor of Legal Practice
College of Law