Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

14 August 2024

Reading From Jeremiah 30-31

“Why do you cry out over your wound,
    your pain that has no cure?
Because of your great guilt and many sins
    I have done these things to you.”

“But I will restore you to health
    and heal your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
‘because you are called an outcast,
    Zion for whom no one cares.’”

–Jeremiah 30:15, 17

     This passage speaks to the great wisdom of our Heavenly Father in His dealings with His children.  God is love and He is our Perfect Parent.  He disciplines those He loves.  According to the Scriptures, there is a spiritual law in place called Sowing and Reaping.  We will reap what we sow.  If we sow the wind, we will reap the whirlwind.  Sometimes bad things happen to us simple because sin has spoiled the world that we live in.  Other times, bad things happen to us because we are being allowed by God to walk through some of the consequences of our own actions or those around us. 

     There are times when we must take responsibility for things that have happened and other times that we or someone we know is collateral damage for bad choices.  When I suffer because of something I’ve done, I know it in my heart.  It isn’t a feeling of condemnation; it is an awareness of conviction and the loving kindness of Father God guides us to confess and repent.  What is extraordinary about God’s parenting, is that even when His sons and daughters journey through rough seasons of their own doing, He is still there with them, providing wisdom, comfort, understanding, healing and love.

     Thankfully, God has given us the cure for the ultimate consequence for our sin which is spiritual death.  However, sometimes there is no cure for the short-term, earthly ripple effects for our sins.  Unfortunately, our mistakes have affect more people and situations and trajectories than we will know this side of Heaven.  This is why it is so vital to study the Word of God, put our faith into action and live a godly lifestyle at the direction of the Holy Spirit.  This prevents us from damaging ourselves and others. 

     Fortunately, God is merciful and in every situation and in every person’s heart He is able to heal and restore, but He will only do that if as individuals we surrender our wills to Him.  This means that as I submit to His authority, He heals my brokenness regardless of whether it was caused by my own self or others or both, but if I have hurt other people, I cannot force them to go to the Divine Healer for repair.  They must choose Him for themselves.  I can pray for them, I can show love to them in practical ways, I can lead them to the well of new life, but I cannot make them drink.  Be careful.  Mind how you go.  Our actions, whether positive or negative, have far reaching impacts.

“Lord God, forgive Your sons and daughters for the pain we have caused others by our own faults and failures.  Be merciful to us and lead those we have hurt to You.  Bring Your healing and restoring power to our lives.  Open our eyes and show us where we are wrong or have wronged others.  By Your wisdom and knowledge, show us how to make amends whenever possible.  Give us the courage we need to take responsibility, confess, repent, and be and do better in Your strength and power.  Help us to first do no harm.  Inspire us with Your love to make positive change in the world around us and spread Your love and message.  In Jesus’ strong and mighty name I pray, Amen.”

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

 –II Corinthians 9:6-8

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind

–Hosea 8:7a

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

–Galatians 6:7-10