Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

15 August 2024

Reading From Jeremiah 32-33

“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword in the fight with the Babylonians: ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness.

“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’”

–Jeremiah 33:1-9

     I am so grateful to serve and love a God who brings restoration.  God is holy and He cannot condone sin in any form, but He is also love and He sees the potential for growth and goodness in all people.  Any true goodness comes from Him. Yahweh alone has the supernatural ability to bring people from darkness to light, but they must choose life with Him by faith in order to experience the New Birth.  No matter how bad anyone’s sins may be, the blood of Jesus is able to cleanse them of it because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice; the God the Son is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

     God is able not only to forgive sin, but also to heal, empower and bring hope.  Wherever we find ourselves in life, whatever mess we’ve gotten ourselves into, whatever the level of intensity our grief and pain is that has been inflicted by others, He is able to meet us right where we’re at, spiritually wrap His love arms around us, and bring comfort and peace like no one else.  From wherever and whenever we’ve called out to Him in faith, He transforms us with His grace, mercy and love.  The Lord brings us along on a journey of discovery, sanctification, growth and renewal. 

     In Him, through His Word the Bible and by spiritual insight provided by the Holy Spirit, we discover who we truly are, where we belong, and what our glorious destiny with Him is.  As we surrender more and more of our lives to His authority, His holiness takes over more and more.  As His sons and daughters, we are to live lives that are different from those who don’t know Him.  We are to be in the world, but not of it.  As we walk in His way, we learn more about Him, about ourselves, and about the world around us.  The Holy Spirit lives within each of the children of God.  We have within us the constants source of joy, hope and renewal.  Thanks be to God for His wonderful care.

“Lord, thank You for not leaving us to languish and die in our sins.  You call out for us to come to You and find rest for our souls, healing for our wounds, strength to face any challenge, and hope for our bright future in You.  By Your power we are gradually being restored until we reach the New Eden and Your dream will come true in all its glorious fullness.  There we will live with You in perfect harmony and unity forever.  We will truly belong in our forever home as Your eternal family.  Thank You, Lord.  In the Name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.”

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

–I Peter 5:10

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

–Acts 3:19-21

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

 –I John 5:4