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Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM

Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:06 (GMT)

14 August 2008 | Jeremiah 33:1-9,14-22

I was still being held prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guards when the LORD told me:

I am the LORD, and I created the whole world. Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don't know and can't find out. Many of the houses in Jerusalem and some of the buildings at the royal palace have been torn down to be used in repairing the walls to keep out the Babylonian attackers. Now there are empty spaces where the buildings once stood. But I am furious, and these spaces will be filled with the bodies of the people I kill. The people of Jerusalem will cry out to me for help, but they are evil, and I will ignore their prayers. Then someday, I will heal this place and my people as well, and let them enjoy unending peace. I will give this land to Israel and Judah once again, and I will make them as strong as they were before. They sinned and rebelled against me, but I will forgive them and take away their guilt. When that happens, all nations on earth will see the good things I have done for Jerusalem, and how I have given it complete peace. The nations will celebrate and praise and honor me, but they will also tremble with fear.

The LORD said: I made a wonderful promise to Israel and Judah, and the days are coming when I will keep it. I promise that the time will come when I will appoint a king from the family of David, a king who will be honest and rule with justice. In those days, Judah will be safe; Jerusalem will have peace and will be named, "The LORD Gives Justice." The king of Israel will be one of David's descendants, and there will always be priests from the Levi tribe serving at my altar and offering sacrifices to please me and to give thanks. Then the LORD told me:

I, the LORD, have an agreement with day and night, so they always come at the right time. You can't break the agreement I made with them, and you can't break the agreements I have made with David's family and with the priests from the Levi tribe who serve at my altar. A descendant of David will always rule as king of Israel, and there will be more descendants of David and of the priests from the Levi tribe than stars in the sky or grains of sand on the beach.

Notes

God continues to pour out the details of his regeneration plans for Judah and Israel. His enthusiasm to bless, love and restore is almost overwhelming!

All God asks of his people in this passage is that they call to him. He, in return, promises to restore joy and the fortunes of the land, to bring the people health, healing and abundant peace, and to guarantee the future of both monarchy and priesthood. And in doing these things he will ensure stability and the continuation of Israel's special status as God's chosen people.

Because the restoration will be so undeserved and yet all-encompassing and lavish, there will be no doubt about its source. It can't be down to a king, a stroke of historical luck or a collective community effort - it just has to be God! Not only will this prompt God's people to praise, but others will look on - and wonder.

Is this a maybe? No way! His promises to us are absolutely as definite. You can base your life on them.

Think of each of God's intentions for his people expressed in these verses. What does God want to do for you today?

Prayer

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Today's Writer

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