Peace with God Through Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 33:1-13

 

Jeremiah 33:8-9

 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. ⁹ And this city^[c] shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

(ESV)

 

Except for a few narcissistic leaders seeking power through force, most individuals seek a peaceful existence in their lives. Jesus promised kinship in the family of God to peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). The Word of God also encourages believers in Christ to pray for those in authority over them as a means of living a peaceful life (1 Timothy 2:1-4). However, every individual is born into sin and under the death penalty (Romans 3:23; 6:23), making peace with God through our efforts impossi9ble. However, The gift of God’s grace and the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins makes peace with God possible (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23). Jeremiah 33:1-13 is a word from the Lord to rebellious Israel and Judah, promising restoration through the grace of God.

 

Most of the book of Jeremiah occurring before Jeremiah 33 is God speaking to the people of Israel and Judah about their rebellion and God placing them in exile for this rebellion. However, even during their exile, God reminds the people of Judah and Israel that God has plans for them that do not include their destruction (Jeremiah 29:11). With this promise from God in mind, Jeremiah 33:1-13 Is a Word from the Lord bringing peace to those in exile at a time when peace might have seemed impossible. The passage begins by telling us that this is a second Word from the Lord given to Jeremiah with the first being God telling Jeremiah to purchase a plot of land (Jeremiah 32:1-15). The study of this passage revealed that the purchase of the plot of land by Jeremiah consisted of a step of faith based upon knowledge of God’s promise of a seventy-year exile.

 

This Word from the Lord begins with the Lord inviting the exiles to call upon the Lord so he can reveal great things to them that they did not previously know (Jeremiah 33:2-3). To defend the city of Jerusalem, the people had torn down their houses to make siege ramps from the invasion of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 33:4-5). Those hearing this word from the Lord might have caused them to recall Jeremiah’s purchase of land in the Promised Land as an example of a step of faith. This Word from the Lord continues and is directed at the exiles with a promise of health, healing, prosperity, and security (Jeremiah 33:6). In addition to the restoration of their fortunes, God promises to cleanse them of their guilt, sin, and rebellion and restore Jerusalem to a place of peace and joy (Jeremiah 33:7-9).

 

The Word continues with the Lord telling the people of Israel and Judah that the land that is now desolate without man or beast will become a place of mirth, gladness, and the voice of the bridegroom and bride (Jeremiah 33:10-11). The Lord goes on to promise the people that there will once again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks (Jeremiah 33:12). The passage concludes with the Lord specifically naming cities in which the shepherds will tend their flocks (Jeremiah 33:13).

 

God is the perfect balance of judgment and grace. For the people of Israel and Judah, judgment came upon Israel and Judah because of their rebellion against God by practicing duplicitous worship of God and foreign gods in violation of the Word of God (Exodus 20:1-3). The consequence of this rebellion was exile, spelled out in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. However, God is a gracious God, promising restoration to those who repent of their sins receiving restoration (Deuteronomy 30:1-3). To receive this gift of grace does require that one turn from their sin and rebellion and back to God, something God called His people to do (Jeremiah 33:3).

 

God is still a just and gracious God, something Jesus demonstrated during His ministry. Jesus demonstrated His love for humanity by becoming human and dwelling with us (John 1:14). Even though Jesus knew no sin, he took the death penalty for humanity’s sin upon himself in the greatest demonstration of love ever seen (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8). This means that everyone reading this has the opportunity to accept the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus in fulfillment of the law and experience salvation through the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have not done so and need to experience salvation through the grace of God, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those reading this that already have a personal relationship with Jesus, I invite you to draw closer in your relationship with Christ during these chaotic times. Revelation 3:20 tells us that Jesus knocks at our heart’s door, not just to bring salvation from sin for the verse speaks of Jesus coming into our hearts to be with us. During these chaotic times, we need the presence of God in our lives more than ever, so I encourage everyone reading this to spend more time in the study of God’s Word. I also urge everyone reading this to spend time in prayer for the prayers of believers are effective (James 5:16). May God bless everyone reading this post.