August 23, 2013 (Jeremiah 31-32; 1 John 4)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “You show unfailing love to thousands, but You also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord Of Heaven’s Armies.” Jeremiah 32:18 NLT
Observation: Jeremiah prayed a prayer from his heart. He had just purchased a piece of land that the enemy was sure to seize. Maybe he was second guessing his decision to buy the land even though he was convinced God was leading him to do such a crazy thing. He poured his heart out to God proclaiming nothing is too hard for The Lord! He shows unfailing love to thousands and has proven His love for humanity throughout eternity. However, the laws of sowing and reaping will not be done away with. The consequences of sin are often suffered by the next generation. The seeds of destruction that are planted by one generation are often times harvested by the next. Many children suffer because of the sins of their parents. Generational curses have passed from one generation to the next because sin was not dealt with according to God’s instruction. Israel, Judah and Jerusalem were about to be seized by the enemy because of the sins of past generations that were sown in rebellion against God.
Application: The unfailing, amazing love of God is wonderful and never ending. He never runs out of love to give because He is love! Because of His great and awesome love He has provided us with instructions for living. His word teaches us and instructs us how to live in a manner that pleases Him. It’s not His desire that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. He allows the consequences of sin to be suffered so that people will recognize their great need for His grace and mercy. When we are high on life and everything is going great we tend to forget God and wander off track. We begin to sow bad seeds that are often harvested by our children and/or our grandchildren. We may be quick to say, “That’s not fair!” but God is a just God, and nothing is too hard for Him. Our rebellion against Him will always bring unwanted consequences. We very well could be the reason why our children are suffering, or will suffer. Think about the seeds you are sowing today and begin to plant seeds of mercy and grace for these produce an abundant harvest of good!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for revealing my need for Your grace and mercy to me. Thank You for the desire You give me to seek You and learn of You. Cause that desire to continue and grow! Thank You for Your unfailing love, and for the consequences of sin You allow us to suffer. Even in my suffering for sin I can see Your unfailing love at work. You are the all powerful God and indeed nothing is too hard for You! In Jesus name, Amen!