Does God love His chosen people? Reading through the prophets can be heavy. It can be hard to read about the chastisement God brings upon them for their sins. So, does God love His people?
The Chastening of God
In today’s reading, the thought that stands out to me is the picture of God chastening or correcting His people.
“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the Lord. “I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him. (Jeremiah 31:20, NLT)
Does God love His people? Yes! That is why He chastens or corrects them. In love, He warned them; in love, He chastens them.
A Changed Heart
What is the fruit of this love?
I have heard Israel saying, ‘You disciplined me severely, like a calf that needs training for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the Lord my God. (Jeremiah 31:18, NLT)
The fruit is a changed heart, a heart of repentance. This heart of repentance will have a profound effect on Israel. Notice the peaceableness of Israel after the chastening.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes: ” ‘The Lord bless you, O habitation of righteousness, O holy hill!’ And Judah and all its cities shall dwell there together, and the farmers and those who wander with their flocks. For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” (Jeremiah 31:23–25, ESV)
Peaceable Fruit in Our Lives
What a reminder that God loves His own, and evidence of this love and that we are His own is His chastening and correction.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (Hebrews 12:6–8, KJV)
What is the expected result of this love?
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:11, NLT)
True Love
As believers, as God’s children, let us embrace the correction of our loving Father. He is seeking a harvest of right living, which yields peaceable fruit in our lives. He is showing us His love, which should cause us to love Him more!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 30-31.