“…so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me, says the LORD, that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.” Jeremiah 13:11

Persistent Pursuit

There is a God I see in the book of Jeremiah who stuns me with His love that is tested and challenged and denied and rejected and yet He still holds to a holy hope of restoration. He is on tiptoe looking for the slightest inclination of repentance, the barest evidence of obedience. He yearns to bless and prosper and holds His breath for any opportunity to lavish life and joy upon those who would simply trust Him.

God had called a people to Himself and named them the apple of His eye. He entered into covenant with them and gave them a promised land. He delivered them from enslavement. He taught them to gain victory in battle and possess His promises and established them in peace and prosperity. After all of this, generations pass and this beloved people betray Him in idol worship and leave their first love. They break His heart time and again in acts that were never in His mind or heart. 

He sent prophets to declare His love and woo the hearts of the people back to Him. There would be from time to time those who would respond and He would restore the love relationship. He forgave. Then they would slip back into betrayal and rejection and refusal. How patient was His love. This pattern repeated itself over and over again.

Finally He warns them of the impending consequences of living apart from His covering and protection. The impending judgment was not His desire. He desperately looks for changed hearts, changed minds, and changed behavior. In Jeremiah 36:3, hear the heart of God towards His children: “It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Can you hear His yearning? The people do not listen. They do not obey. They continue to reject His love.

Be assured, judgment came. All His words are truth. Sin always brings death. Even then, in the midst of disaster, loss, and upheaval, He speaks to them of return and restoration. He never quits. He never gives up on us. Never.

If you find yourself in a place where you think there is no getting back to the heart of God, you are wrong. He is reaching out. He is anticipating your return. He longs to forgive and embrace you again. He just wants to love you. It’s who He is. Do not lose hope. Give Him every reason to gather you up again and wash you, strengthen you, awaken your hope, and give you a new beginning. He is more than able—He is willing.

Father, Your heart of constant grace that beats relentlessly for us is an astounding wonder. Who is like You? Who loves like this? Amazing grace, amazing God. Forever we will praise You. Amen.