I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is my happiest place, but every once in a while my culinary ambitions do not match the contents of my cupboards, and I have to make substitutions. A little of this substituted for a little of that is usually no big deal in the world of spices and splashes, but when it comes to baking (my very favorite thing to do), substitutions can mean utter disaster.
Chemical reactions between ingredients are the key to successful bread, cookies, or just about any delicious baked thing. One of my favorite cake batters is made with a heavy dose of baking soda and, at the last minute, a big splash of vinegar. It bubbles into the oven, where it creates the loveliest, airiest cake you can imagine.
Natural law governs chemical reactions; they are always the same. Vinegar and baking soda will always bubble up. Living yeast and warm water will do the same. A splash of vinegar will sour milk, and oil and water won’t mix on their own. There are generally no substitutes for these reactions when it comes to baking. Figuratively, this is the underlying principle found in Jeremiah 10–11: There is no substitute for the steadfast, unchanging God. He can only be who He is and do what is in His nature to do.
The truth Jeremiah prophesies is always the same: The promise God made is steadfast, unchangeable, and true, because the one who promised it is steadfast, unchangeable, and true. “You will be my people, and I will be your God,” is found through the whole of Scripture: when God makes His covenant with Abram (Genesis 17), when God tells Moses to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 6), during the giving of the law (Leviticus 26), and multiple times here, within the book of Jeremiah. Paul repeats it in 2 Corinthians 6, and it appears in Revelation 21, with a definitive promise for all time: “They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God” (v.3).
This is the covenant promise that will never change. I can imagine Jeremiah weeping with desperation as he wrote the beautiful words that testify to the Lord’s sovereignty and promise:
“He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom,
and spread out the heavens by his understanding… he is the one who formed all things.
Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of Armies is his name” (Jeremiah 10:12,16).
There is no substitute for the Lord of Armies. His reactions to the sins of His people are not separate from His steadfast, unchangeable love. He’d called them to obey Him and follow His commands, which were a kindness to them, part of the covenant promise (Jeremiah 11:4). But that’s not necessarily how the Israelites saw things. When Jeremiah writes of the stiff-necked Israelites who have repeatedly turned away from God, he writes confidently of how the Lord will act “because they had not done what [He] commanded them to do” (v.8).
The book of Jeremiah shows God’s justice and love: how His perfect character demands perfect righteousness, and how His love for His people is unfailing. Jeremiah didn’t know how that promise would culminate hundreds of years later on the cross where Jesus died, taking on every ounce of God’s just anger and every molecule of God’s perfect love. It is a gift to cling to the steadfast promises of our unchanging God, who is always, perfectly, unchangingly good.
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43 thoughts on "Reminder of the Covenant"
Lord I know that my life is not my own, it is not for me to direct my steps. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and your mercy, I trust you above all else.
The timing of this Word in my life is astonishing. All the gods I am turning to right now for consolation: tv series, comfort food, social media, even smartphone games… When He is the only one who can give me true consolation. It’s not easy to pray for me these days, but the fight is worth it. Pleased pray for me.
I will! May we all be praying earnestly in these dangerous times for a spirit of repentance and a great work of the Holy Spirit throughout the world.
I have been thinking over all the blessings that God has put in my life and I am now realizing that there is room for more humility and more gratefulness that I should feel. My very existence is his doing and at times when I don’t have what I want or feel like things are where I want I am forgetting all the wonders and wonderful things in my life that are God’s doing. Even my trials or the discipline that God gives is wonderful because it produces wonderful things.
“There is no substitute for the steadfast, unchanging God.”
This really resonated with me today.
Thankful that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for all my sins. Because I am utterly unclean when it comes to the standards God expects
Amen. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank you Lord for your Love, Lessons, and Discipline.
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The word “steadfast” is one that I’ve read millions of times without absorbing its meaning , so this baking analogy has really brought the meaning home for me ! God is unchanging … like a parent who may have to use different means of discipline to shape His child , His means of shaping me may change , but the overarching purpose is steadfast ! I pray I can remember this lesson when I go through trials where Gods method of shaping me may seem unfair .
Yes and amen, Sara! Me too ❤️
I pray that I wouldn’t take for granted how amazing God is. That he is My friend and savior, but he is also God and creator. He made the heavens and controls the waves. Let me lean on his guidance and obey his voice.
I am so grateful for this community to be reading with. It would be hard for me to read Jeremiah on my own..but now look forward to seeing how others here apply it in relation to salvation through Jesus. Thank you for the devotional and everyone’s comments. Grateful for you, sisters!
I feel the same way! I’ve been doing the book on my own and have really struggled some days with the heaviness of it all. It feels like the world around us echoes the heaviness. I know that God brings beauty from ashes and is bigger than anything in the world. I decided to take a look at the digital version as well feeling the community of women would be a welcome support <
“Jeremiah didn’t know how that promise would culminate hundreds of years later on the cross where Jesus died, taking on every ounce of God’s just anger and every molecule of God’s perfect love. It is a gift to cling to the steadfast promises of our unchanging God, who is always, perfectly, unchangingly good.” Melanie said it all in these two sentences I believe. God sent his son Jesus Christ to die because of His “just anger and every molecule of” His “perfect love.” I want some of that perfect love and I pray that my sins be forgiven.
As a parent, the idea of discipline resonates with me in a strong way. Often, my sons have a hard time understanding in the moment why I’m not allowing them to do or have something, or why I’m giving them a consequence for something they’ve done or not done, but as the parent, I have a more broad perspective and have the longer game in mind, and I’m disciplining out of love and expectation for high potential. How often do I doubt that God is “parenting” me in this same way?!
I haven’t read the scripture yet for today’s reading but so far this study has truly awakened me to the deep rootedness of my sin and the deep love of God for us His people. The “tough love” He administers which in the end is for our benefit, even though in the midst of it we can’t see how. This study is calling me to quiet and let go of trying to “fix” the errors in my way and allow His grace to permeate every crooked way in me. My sacrifice for Lent is letting go of myself…and it is more challenging than I imagined, truly an easier to say than do thing. But I am doing it regardless of how uncomfortable it makes me feel. May we all learn to let go during this study and allow God to lead us where His will is best. Amen.
Praying for all the SRT folks in Nashville.
Yes! Praying everyone is safe!
Today’s reading really impressed upon me the amazing sacrifice of Jesus’s death on the cross. Israel gave God so much grief and turned away from Him so many times. Even when He was so angry He wanted to cut them off, He still remembered His promise to them and sent His son to die for them. What amazing love!
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As I am reading my devotions this morning, I’m sitting outside in our gazebo. The cool morning breeze is blowing, the birds are singing all around me, and fluttering about our feeders. There are beautiful, one hundred year old oak trees blowing in the breeze, cows in our neighbors pasture, and sheep in ours. It is easy to see, hear and feel God’s magnificence about me. His creation is beautiful and perfect.”…the LORD is the true GOD; HE is the living GOD and eternal KING.” (Jer. 10:10) And yet, I am also in the midst of the craziness of the world every day and it is often difficult to see Him there. LORD, I pray that I will never loose my awe and wonder of your amazing, beautiful creation. I pray that YOUR light will shine brightly through me in this dark world. Please forgive me, FATHER when I am “stiff-necked” and drawn in by the idols the world has to offer. I pray that I will recognize and accept YOUR discipline when it is necessary and grow in wisdom and closeness to you from it. AMEN
“Praying today for a renewed awe of God, a fresh recalling of all He has done for me, a humility bonded with gratitude. Lord, give me a deeper respect for who you are.” Thanks for that Churchmouse. In humble tears here. So glad to know Him. Yet I struggle this morning as I get ready to go out to see a friend whose husband is so selfish and annoying. I judge. I get bothered. I forget my job is to shine His light. I get lost in self-righteous crap instead of wallowing in gratitude that I know Him. That I am His. That I am to minister to this hurting world, not just those to whom I FEEL like ministering. Lord, thank You that sometimes I get a flicker of Your heart for this hurting world. Sometimes, I can put down my crap and shine You. Thank You for the encouragement I find here. May I be Your hands and feet today to all I meet, especially George!
Help me to welcome your discipline as a sign of your love. I want to know your ways and live in your boundaries. Help me, for my human nature wanders just as the Israelites of old. Thank you Lord for your love embodied in Jesus that gives us eternal hope and a relationship with you, since he took on our judgement.
Amen!
Thank you for your faithfulness Lord. And thank you that you have not yet lost patience with your rebellious creation, condemning all who disobey once & for all. Praying for those who don’t know you, or who are just doing life their own way, oblivious to the peace, love, comfort & strength that you alone offer.
What a wonderful devotional to go along with today’s reading!
As an avid baker, I really enjoyed the analogy used in today’s lesson. There is no substitute for the one, true God.
In today’s society where we are encouraged to speak “your truth” I am glad I know the Truth, the one, true God.
Glorious dependency on God.
Open hands, laying down any hope of “fixing” things myself.
The One God, Holy, True, Unchanging, Covenant keeping God, calls me His own.
I have been given breath today; may it be used in obedience to You.
Opening a simple piece of mail, and I’m struggling to draw close, struggling to have faith…
God Almighty, Lord of Armies, cover me in your armor, and go before me in the fight, clearing the way.
This feels overwhelming to me – and it is, BUT, NOTHING is impossible for God.
Is this my God hunt sighting today? Is it my choice whether I will carry this burden or trust it to your care?
Glorious dependency on God.
I chose You.
May your name be praised and all the glory and honor given to you.
Amen.
Thank you for this comment today! The Lord is opening my eyes through you. I am asking these questions of myself today and praying along with you.
Amen and Amen!
Father, I pray that my heart would be tender to your word. That You would be seen and heard in all that I do or say. I pray for my country. And that people would see a great need for You in their lives just as I did one glorious day. Thank You for being a faithful and just God.
11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Thank you, Lord, for your lessons in love and allow us to give ourselves to you and open our hearts and minds to your understanding and your will. Amen.
What Churchmouse wrote reminds me of a message I just heard by Tim Keller. He was explaining how David could have committed adultery and the others sins that followed. He lost his awe of God. He wasn’t ravished by God’s love. He committed spiritual adultery before the physical. How easily we can wander? I don’t want to wander. I want to give Him the glory and honor that He is due. I can be so selfish and wretched. I need Him and His help. This was a good message if you want to listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000466514592
This message brought points I never thought of.
Yes. I too am praying for the Lord to speak to me. To remind me that if I turn it all to Him, and be grateful for all He has done and will do for me, even in these times I am facing right now. He alone is faithful and true.
Father, you are who you say you are. You are the I Am. You are Faithful and True. You are steadfast and unchangeable. Thank you for sending Jesus.
It is hard to read of God telling Jeremiah not to bother praying for Judah because their sin is so great, their rebellion so entrenched, that judgment is the only option. The judgment is most assuredly deserved and it is severe. Only this drastic move of God provides any hope of changing this stiff-necked people. The impending destruction of Jerusalem and the ensuing famine and exile to Babylon are catastrophic for God’s people. How have they fallen so far away from Him? They had lost their fear of the Lord, the awe of Who He was to then and for them. They had become self-reliant instead of God-dependent. They had fallen prey to arrogance instead of bowing before Him in humility. From the temple priests to the shepherds in the fields, they had forgotten their history. They had forgotten their deliverer. They had forgotten to Whom they owed their very existence. And so their existence would become threatened. God is the God of love and mercy. He is also not to be trifled with. He is the God of justice. He will do whatever it takes to draw back His wayward children. He is the God of tough love when need be.
Praying today for a renewed awe of God, a fresh recalling of all that He has done for me, a humility bonded with gratitude. Lord, give me a deeper respect for Who You are.
May we never lose our wonder. Wide-eyed and mystified. Lord let me be just like a child. This song is on my heart. Father you are so worthy. Let me never lose my wonder.
Amen!
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I agree it is hard and, for us, out of character. We see it from “the other side” so I suppose we are aghast at the actions of His chosen. I am ever amazed at his tolerance of them but then again, his tolerance of me.
I like your use of tough love in reference to God’s discipline of his disobedient children. That makes it seem less of a reaction of anger and more an act of love. We are learning that parenting does involve a LOT of tough love and it is NOT easy. It has taught me to see unconditional love through a different lens. It has given me a new perspective on suffering.
❤️this