Tuesday
Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-37
SOAP: Jeremiah 31:33
“But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plat them back in the land,” says the Lord. “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
Obedience to the laws of God was the requirement for the Israelites to stay under His covenant. Israel broke God’s laws pretty quickly. This did not come as a surprise to God. It was all a part of His plan of redemption. The law was there to show that sin runs so deep that no one can earn salvation through works. God requires perfection and there isn’t a single person who can achieve that on their own.
God promised a new covenant, one that will be based on faith, not on works. In this covenant, the laws of God will be written on the hearts of His people; He will give them a desire to keep them, and He will provide a solution for those who do not. Jeremiah was not given a lot of details of this new covenant, but now we know that it is only possible because of Jesus.
Thank You, Lord, that You are in total control of all things. From the beginning, You knew we would fail You and yet You did not give up on us. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay our debt to You, to change our hearts, and to provide the help we need. Grow the desire in us to keep Your good laws.