Day 12 - Transformation Guaranteed!
- Pastor b.Side
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
“And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.” - Jeremiah 32:40
One way God shows His greatness is through the mercy, patience, and long-suffering He demonstrates while working to fulfill the promises of His Word. God made eternal promises and covenants, and the people He made those agreements with are deeply flawed and unworthy of the benefits those promises bring. Since God does not simply overlook or excuse sin, He must address it while showing restraint so that He does not completely eliminate the people He has promised to bless. No one possesses the patience that God has. No one can accurately identify flaws, justice-fully address them, and still bestow blessings like God because no one can transform the soul while enduring the necessary time to do so.
“I will make an everlasting covenant with them…”
The most powerful example of this truth in scripture is Israel's testimony. God selected the nation of Israel as His treasured possession. Yet the scriptures clearly show that Israel repeatedly rejected God. The Bible often likens Israel to an unfaithful wife cheating on her husband. Why would God choose a people like that, knowing how they would turn out? Why would God stay committed to a people like that?
“I will not turn away from doing them good…”
God had a plan to change their situation. The nation of Israel won’t always be driven by unfaithfulness. God will address the root of their sins—by transforming their hearts! That’s what the promise of Jeremiah 32:40 is all about. When God made this promise, He reminded the people that He is the God of all humanity. There is nothing too hard for Him. God showed that He can judge sin by using nations as His tools of correction, just as an officer uses a pen to write a citation. God told Israel that He would use the Babylonian Empire to judge them, and He did. God revealed His power and control. He can certainly change the corrupted state of a human soul.
“I will put My fear in their hearts…”
God can also remain merciful and patient while transforming stubborn, rebellious, and self-righteous sinners into His likeness. This doesn’t mean that every sinner will benefit from God’s promises, but it assures those who repent and believe that God never changes His mind or stance regarding His true people. If God were to change His mind about Israel, what would prevent Him from changing His mind about the rest of us? The testimony of God’s dealings with Israel shows that God doesn’t change because His promises aren’t dependent on our faithfulness. God’s promises depend on His eternally unchanging greatness to sustain us until He completes our salvation. He will never stop doing such good.
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, we are thankful to see how Your treatment of Israel throughout their history reflects Your eternally unchanging mercy toward those who believe. The power You demonstrate in patiently working with us is amazing! Help us remember that You will stay faithful to complete the work You started in us, because of Your unwavering faithfulness to Your own Word. Thank You for including us as recipients of Your goodness, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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