Daily Devotional for November 12, 2015
Jeremiah 31
Scripture:
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Observation:
The phrase “Hindsight is 20/20” has been true in my life on many occasions. We have the benefit of hindsight in this story. A vision of the future can definitely provide hope for those who are searching. However, I don’t know if I could have predicted the incredible story of salvation provided through Jesus Christ in this new covenant.
As Spirit-Empowered Men, we have a responsibility to be missional everywhere we go and in everything we do. We must be missional; personally, locally, nationally, and globally. Being missional simply means, “to go out with the intent to spread the Gospel.” Our prayer should be for the Holy Spirit to direct us in conversations and opportunities to share this message with the world.
This passage is one of the many verses in the Old Testament that forecast the relationship we can have with God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every day, we are thankful for what Jesus did on the cross. While this vision of the new covenant is good, I am appreciative of the 20/20 vision we have of how this vision played out in the past which directly impacts our present and future. Take some time today to thank God for this new covenant. Also, listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction in conversations today as we represent Jesus everywhere we go.
Application:
- Personal Application: As Spirit-Empowered Men, we strive to be missional everywhere we go. To be a representative of Jesus and to share with others the Gospel message; personally, locally, nationally, and globally. Being missional looks different depending on the day and the situation. There will be times when the Holy Spirit will lead you to speak, sometimes you will serve, and sometimes you will give. Regardless of the situation, we have the opportunity to represent the Lord in everything we do and say.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Explain to them that this is forecasting the covenant established with Jesus Christ and how through Him we can have a personal relationship with God. Talk to them about the importance of our own relationship with Christ and sharing the Gospel message with others. Ask them about their relationship with the Lord. Pray with them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask the Lord to help you to be a witness for Him in every conversation and in everything you do.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray for anyone in your family that does not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, November 8 – Sunday, November 15:
- Sunday, November 8: Jeremiah 27
- Monday, November 9: Jeremiah 28
- Tuesday, November 10: Jeremiah 29
- Wednesday, November 11: Jeremiah 30
- Thursday, November 12: Jeremiah 31
- Friday, November 13: Jeremiah 32
- Saturday, November 14: Jeremiah 33
- Sunday, November 15: Jeremiah 34
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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