Scripture – Jeremiah 33:25-26 (The Message)

“Well, here’s GOD’s response: ‘If my covenant with day and night wasn’t in working order, if sky and earth weren’t functioning the way I set them going, then, but only then, you might think I had disowned the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David, and that I wouldn’t set up any of David’s descendants over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But as it is, I will give them back everything they’ve lost. The last word is, I will have mercy on them.'”

Observation – The people are convinced that God has abandoned them. They have lost all faith in God and are relying on their own understanding of what is going on. It’s unfortunate because God has continued to assure them of His promise. He has asked for such simple things in return for their faith and trust.

Application – Even though these two verses took place long before Jesus Christ was born, I see this very same doubt in people today. How often do we ask God why He has allowed bad things to happen to us? There have been times in my life when I most certainly inquired of God if He had disowned me. But these two verses really put that thought into perspective. Think about it. He said, “if my covenant with day and night wasn’t in working order, if sky and earth weren’t functioning the way I set them going…” Has there ever been a time when the day and night didn’t occur just as they were supposed to? Of course not. He has assured us that He will never again wipe out the human race (the rainbow covenant). Instead, He consistently provides for our needs when we reach out to Him and follow His lead. In essence, He gives us mercy just as He did then. Knowing that I can continuously count on the “sky and earth functioning the way he set them going” is enough for me to believe that He will have mercy on me when I seek Him. He may not “bail me out of a jam” but He will always stand in that “jam” with me. That is mercy.

Prayer – Lord, why is it that in times of turmoil we lash out at you instead of clinging to you? Please forgive me for any doubts I have had about your love and mercy for me. Help me to feel your presence in all I do, and be blessed with all you give. Thank you for the mercy you show and the promise of never abandoning me. Amen.