Great and unsearchable things

I love verse 3 in this chapter.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Honestly, I need to do a lot more seeking of God in my life.  It seems like I say that a lot lately. 

Somehow, however, I find myself getting wrapped up in my life, and not just the important things.  (I’m wondering if I should say “important” rather than important).

I think of Jesus and his lifestyle.  Every morning he spent time with his Father. 

How much power and insight did he receive from those times?  How much more power and insight would I have if I did the same. 

I do spend time in the Word, but I do need to spend a lot more time in prayer, and in simply listening to him.  And the thing is, God promises that if we seek him, we will find him, and he will speak.

Of course, we all need insight into our lives and for our future.  But there is one great and unsearchable thing that I think we would all do well to remember:  God’s grace.

And that’s what this chapter is about.  It starts, though, with the judgment of God.  That because of Israel’s sin, judgment was coming.  Not exactly a great and unsearchable thing anyone wants to hear.

But then, he says,

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security…

I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 

Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth… (Jeremiah 33:6,8-9)

While speaking to the Israelites, much of this applies to us. 

Though we have been broken by sin, God brings spiritual health and healing to us.  He cleanses us from our sins and forgives our rebellion against him. 

He gives us abundant peace and security.  And we will be a people for his renown, joy, and praise, and honor among the nations.

How much would our lives be different if we would reflect on these things each day.  How grateful would we be to him?  And having received God’s grace, how would it shape our attitudes towards others and our lives?

But there’s one more great and unsearchable thing to remember:  The day is coming when Jesus will return. 

In verse 14-16, Jeremiah writes,

The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 

“‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch (that is, Jesus) sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 

In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.  This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.’”

So often we focus on things that are temporary.  But if we would reflect on the fact that Jesus is coming soon, do we really have time to waste on things that are temporary? 

How much would our priorities change if we would remember that?