Day 37

Reassurance for Israel



Jeremiah 46:1-28, Jeremiah 47:1-7, Jeremiah 48:1-47, Psalm 103:15-19, John 4:23

BY Maria Furlough

Six years ago, on this day, I said both hello and goodbye to my sweet baby boy Gideon. Through his life and death, I tasted destruction and the threat of despair for the very first time. I moaned and wept as the walls I had built around my life came crashing down. I wondered, can God possibly heal this?

The words of Jeremiah chapters 46–48 detail another destruction story, one where we find despair in almost every verse, leaving us to wonder if hope for humanity is even possible. Can God possibly heal this?

The people of Egypt “are terrified, they are retreating… terror is on every side!” (Jeremiah 46:5). The Philistines “will cry out, and every inhabitant will wail… they will be utterly helpless” (Jeremiah 47:2–3). The Moabites “will be shattered; her little ones will cry out” (Jeremiah 48:4). Darkness had fully overtaken these countries, and we learn why: because they trusted in their “work and treasures” (Jeremiah 48:7). And yet, for those who put their trust in God, there is a light that rises up. In the middle of the dark, destruction, and despair, we see that God has never left the side of those who call Him Lord.

No one in humanity is spared; death will reach each and everyone of us. At some point, whether Israelite or Egyptian, Christian or non-Christian, the walls of our lives, our cities, our possessions will come crashing down. But for those who do put their hope in God, we are not to be afraid because He promises to be with us (Jeremiah 46:27–28). Our hope does not lie in circumstances, works, or treasures; therefore, we have nothing to fear.

“Do not be afraid.” These were the words my sweet Jesus brought to my mind every morning after Gideon died. In the moments when I was beating my pillow and pleading with God to somehow give me my baby back, He was with me. In the mornings when I wept at Gideon’s graveside, wondering if I would ever get up, God was there. This is the promise we have when we give our lives to Jesus. When we choose to follow God, when we accept Jesus’s death for us as atonement for our sins, and when we seek to follow Him each and every day, then even when terror and wailing come, we have hope.

So He’s shown me the answer to my question is, yes, God can heal even this, whatever this may be. And so it is within these passages from Jeremiah: Yes, God can heal this too. Therefore, we stand in confidence, and in all things remember that, “As for man, his days are like grass… But from eternity to eternity, the LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear him” (Psalm 103:15,17).

Post Comments (58)

58 thoughts on "Reassurance for Israel"

  1. May says:

    Sweet Maria Furlough, thank you for your devotional, your rawness, and your healing journey. I wept for you and your son today. I pray you felt Jesus presence today. How brave of you to talk about it so others can find comfort.

  2. Dorothy says:

    Amen Doris, Blessed Beth, Dee Wilcox, Churchmouse, GrammieSue, Tanya B, Lizzie, Kelcy Pryor, Jenna, and Jennifer Anapol
    Tina don’t know if you have listened to the song “Alive” by Big Daddy Weave but it repeats your favorite phrase “but God” in it and the first time and every time I hear it I think of you.
    Angie, I feel much the same way you do. I have a motto of “Let God and let go.” I love your To-Do-List I think I ill adopt it if that’s okay.
    Laurie Winters it’s a God thing.
    Sherry I sent a son to be with the Lord but not as an infant like you, he was 18 years old and knew Christ and lived for and loved Christ and God.
    Melanie Braun I am praying for you and your family. When my oldest son died at the age of 18 my other son, niece and nephew didn’t and still don’t understand why God let it happen and that was in 2003.
    Praying for you Kara.

  3. Bridgette Alvarez says:

    Beautifully stated Dorothy ❤️ Thank you for the devotional today Maria, it really touched my heart ❤️.

  4. Jennifer Anapol says:

    I love that the love of God is faithful. His love is what we can count on during these uncertain times. He is where we can turn and find our peace, strength and comfort.

  5. Jenna says:

    “But you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid.” (Jeremiah 46:27). I’ve heard it said that God reserves some of his best promises for fearful people. I think we see Jesus acknowledge the reality of fear when he says, “I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves.” It’s as if he’s saying, “Look, I know you live in a dangerous, chaotic, and broken world. You have legitimate reasons to feel afraid sometimes.” But what a promise to know that the Lord of Armies, the Good Shepherd is with us, that he knows what each day will bring, and he has promised to provide for us each day.

  6. Dorothy says:

    As I read these words “And yet, for those who put their trust in God, there is a light that rises up. In the middle of the dark, destruction, and despair, we see that God has never left the side of those who call Him Lord.” by Maria Furlough I knew God had everything under control. Then when I went on to read “Our hope does not lie in circumstances, works, or treasures; therefore, we have nothing to fear.” I could feel God and Christ at my side. I believe this devotional God sent us at this time to remind us and help through these days of concern. God wants us to turn our worries, concerns and cares over to Him. Remember what Psalm 103:17-19 says
    17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
    on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children,
    18 to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
    19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

  7. Kelcy Pryor says:

    So many of us are hurting and going through a very hard time either from isolation or daily pain from our past. But be strong in the LORD for he is good! He alone can bring peace and restore our hearts to follow him and rest on him. Times like now is that we need to check up on our neighbors and tell them that God has a plan for us and It’s a good plan. Jeremiah 46:28, the last 2 verses hit me deep. God disciplines us like his children but he will not make us go through something we can’t overcome. He is just, righteous and a loving father. Cling to him and tell him your worries and pain. Thank you everyone for sharing their stories. I hope each and everyone can find peace with God. ❤️

  8. Angie says:

    “So He’s shown me the answer to my question is, yes, God can heal even this, whatever this may be. And so it is within these passages from Jeremiah: Yes, God can heal this too. Therefore, we stand in confidence, and in all things remember that, “As for man, his days are like grass… But from eternity to eternity, the LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear him” (Psalm 103:15,17).” Yes, God can heal even the damage done by this terrible virus. Thank you for this needed reminder!

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