TEXT:

‘Then I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach Me; for who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the Lord. ‘You shall be My people, and I will be your God.’”’ – Jeremiah 30:21-22

THOUGHT:

Today’s Teaching starts with God’s question, “For who is this who pledged (engaged, devoted) his heart to approach Me?” This is one of the things God cannot do – make a person respond to Him. He has given us a free will and we can choose to draw near to God or like the prodigal son, move away as far as we can from having anything to do with Him. The text reveals four important truths.

• God’s Desire

God is not willing that any should perish – 2 Peter 3:9. He gets no joy from anyone being lost. He wants back the relationship He intended that started with Adam and Eve, just like any parent estranged from the child they love. God loves the world and that includes you.

• God’s Drawing – ‘I will cause him to draw near’

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you’ – Jeremiah 31:3. Just like the start of any relationship, there is the wooing and courtship. God tries to get your attention. ‘Call upon Him while He is near’ – Isaiah 55:6. ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever’ – Genesis 6:3. Sooner or later the truth has to be faced that although God is interested in that person, they are not interested in God! The good news is that responding to God’s drawing can take place in a moment, even at the end of our life. You may have lived a life of regrets, but do not make another one by being unresponsive to God. The consequences of doing so are enormous.

• Man’s Decision – ‘For who is this who has pledged his heart?’

It’s a heart not a head response. “I love you with all my heart” is the one key ingredient in a marriage that will last. The gospel never makes sense in our heads, but it has the ability to put a peace and assurance in our heart. We cannot see it physically but we feel it deep down. I know that I know, and that is enough! This is God’s gift of faith in action.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.

• God’s Declaration – ‘So you will be My people and I will be your God’

This is God’s declaration to anyone, everyone who responds to Him. Just like the marriage vow, “To have and to hold.” God now takes on the responsibility to talk to them, lead, bless, guide, help, heal and deliver them. In short, everything they need, He will supply. ‘Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you’ – Matthew 6:33. Too many are only interested in ‘all these things.’ They want the gifts but not the Giver. God’s promise to those who draw near to Him is this, “From now on I am with you forever. In life’s highs and lows, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I am going to share the rest of your life on earth and then you are going to share My life in heaven eternally.” Wow! Who would want to miss out on a promise like that, especially when God is able to keep all His promises?

Jesus wept over Jerusalem saying, “I wanted to save you but you would not let me.” That city was utterly devastated less than forty years later. If God wants to save us it is because we need to be saved. Some wrongly think, “We are all going to heaven anyway”, or, “There is no such thing as hell” or even “There’s no God!” When we die that is it, so live life to the full now!

The Bible says, ‘Prepare to meet your God’ – Amos 4:12. How much better it would be to meet God knowing you were both on the same side?

Stop right now for one minute and think, “What are the signs that God is drawing me?” It could simply be reading this teaching. Use the gift of faith God gives and respond now. Who knows whether you will ever get another opportunity? Your life is too important and valuable to ignore it!