Today’s scripture: Jeremiah 31:3 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):
God hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
There is a group called One Republic and they have a hit song playing on the radio entitled “Love Runs Out”. I like the melody and it is an high energy song. It will definitely get you moving in the morning. Here is one verse of the song:
I’ll be your light, your match, your burning sun,
I’ll be the bright, and black, that’s making you run.
And I feel alright, and we’ll feel alright,
‘Cause we’ll work it out, yeah we’ll work it out.
I’ll be doin’ this, if you ever doubt,
‘Til the love runs out, ’til the love runs out.
Although this song reeks of an intense, crazy, stupid over the top kind of experience, I say, “No ma’am Miss Pam”. I don’t want it. Yes we all want someone that will stretch themselves to be everything our little heart could wish for, however and unfortunately, no one person can offer us love with permanency or eternal guarantees, nobody but Jesus.
In today’s scripture reading, the Prophet Jeremiah recalls something God spoke to him about God’s people Israel (us). If you read the previous chapters you see the unfolding of how Israel had made a mess of their relationship and the blessings of GOD and yet GOD is telling of the way to restoration, healing, deliverance and a return to Israel’s glory despite their failings. And that is GOD, consistently (Lamentations 3:22-23). God keeps loving us despite our mess ups, missteps, mistakes, meanness and misconceptions. We say, “God, I sinned”. God says, “I love you.” And it is what God has spoken and is yet speaking no matter what (St. John 6:37). For this I am thankful.
The world and the people in it, offer us a lot of grand promises of ecstasy and fun and they may deliver for a little while. However, just like how every verse and the chorus of One Republic’s song ends, the love will run out. Let today be the day you focus your energy on getting a love that won’t run out, and in the end I’ll bank my faith that you too, will be thankful. Amen.
Thought for the day: God’s love never runs out. It never ends.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.