Day 1:
This week in Return to Me: A Pause for Lent, our scripture for reflection comes from the prophet Jeremiah. Each day this week, we’ll reflect on this passage in a different way, but for today, simply read the passage and take it in. If you like, read it in more than one translation and see if anything sticks out to you.
Jeremiah 24:6-7
I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
Day 2:
Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.
The Israelites have a colorful history as God’s Chosen People. Throughout the Old Testament, we see this group of people—given the blessing of being identified as God’s own people— squander away that designation by turning away from God and going their own way, time and time again. Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, was witness to one of those seasons of wandering.
The Lord declares, in Jeremiah 5:11, “the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly treacherous to me” and in Jeremiah 9:3 that “they do not know me.” His words are not ambiguous. But our God is a God of mercy, grace and steadfast love; He is not done with them yet. Later in Jeremiah, in verse 7 of our passage, the Lord relents, saying, “I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God.”
Jeremiah shows us that God’s strong words of judgement are surpassed only by his promises of mercy. He won’t give up on his people. He miraculously offers—to those who did not know him—a heart to know him as Lord, to call them his own, and to be called upon by them as their God. Why? Because they would return to him with their whole heart.
In my pride, I so often want to look down upon the Israelites for their wandering, but if I search my heart, I know I am no better. May we have hearts softened to his conviction, to turn away from our sin and turn to him with our whole hearts. Thanks be to God— He won’t give up on his people. He won’t give up on us.
Continue to reflect on that which separates you from the Lord and his great invitation to return to him.
Day 3:
Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.
There are great benefits to hand copying scripture. It increases your focus on the words and aids in memorization. Today, pick a verse from Jeremiah 24:6-7 (or both!) to copy down in your own hand or to memorize. If neither of those fit with your personality, draw a picture that comes to mind while reading it or read the passage over multiple times, maybe in a different translation. The idea is to pause over the Word and let it sink in.
Day 4:
Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.
Today in our Pause, we invite you to pray over this week’s passage. Using the scripture, your own personal study, and anything you may have learned on Day 2, spend some time in prayer. Is there something that you want God to make clear to you, some sin you need to turn over to him? He wants to hear from you. If you need some help, we’ve provided a prayer below.
Father,
Like the Israelites, I let the circumstances of life and counterfeit gods get in between us. Instead of holding tight to you, I wander. Search my heart and help me to see where there might be distance between us and put that sin in me to death. And thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your invitation. Thank you for your promise, that if I recognize that I have turned away from you and turn back, you will welcome me home.
Amen
Day 5:
Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.
Reflect and Apply:
Spend time in quiet. Take a few moments of silence to let God bring anything to mind that may be putting distance between you. Which broken places and through which means is he inviting you back? Welcome him into those places.
Reflect on the building and planting metaphors in verse 6. Where would you like to see God build new works or grow new life in you moving forward? Be specific!
Think back through the Israelites’ history and your own past, remember God’s mercy to redeem and restore us when we turn back to him. Again, be specific. Remembering is vital to building our faith deeper and stronger.
Based on this week’s passage, take some time to think through an application that you can begin to carry out moving forward.
Come back next Monday morning for the post on Week 3.