Thanksgiving is Coming!
Daily Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 33-36
Daily Focus Passage: Jeremiah 33
The prophet Jeremiah lived during a time of heartache and struggle. Yet, the prophet looked to the future, knowing that a day of Thanksgiving was coming. The day of Thanksgiving would be a moment of the return of joy and rejoicing. This future moment rested in the promise of God, and thus, Jeremiah knew of his certainty. As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, we must look to the Lord for our joy and thanksgiving, no matter what we face. As a child of God, we have the hope of the certainty that joy is coming because of the faithfulness of God and his steadfast love.
REJOICE IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD
Jeremiah could rejoice in the goodness of God because he trusted the Lord. Like Jeremiah, we must seek to rejoice in the goodness of God. The goodness of God becomes known when we recognize that he is good in withholding the judgment we deserve. This truth leads to a second principle of God’s goodness, which is the plan of redemption that God brought forth through Jesus Christ. At the same time, God‘s goodness is recognized as he provides for our needs and allows us to experience his presence throughout life. As we walk through this season of Thanksgiving, May we look to the goodness of God, like Jeremiah, and rejoice in the goodness of God.
REJOICE IN THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD
Jeremiah knew the people faced exile because of their disobedience before the Lord. At the same time, the prophet recognized that the love of God never failed. He knew that God cared deeply for his own and would eventually return them to the promised land. Likewise, you and I experienced the steadfast love of God daily. We share God‘s steadfast love as he provides for us despite our sinfulness. God’s steadfast love becomes known as we experience the fullness of redemption, even though we are unworthy. The steadfast love of God gives a reason to rejoice because the love of God toward us is not based on our activities or mishaps or faithfulness, but instead, his love for us is unshakable. In this season of thanksgiving, may we rejoice in this love of God.
REJOICE IN THE PROMISE OF GOD
Jeremiah Rejoiced in the Lord, despite the coming exile, because he knew the Lord had promised the land to the people. He knew that God was a promise, keeping God and that the people had to return because God is faithful. The Lord has promised us who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior the promise of eternity. God does not go back on his promises, but rather, he loves us and guides us toward fulfilling his promise. As we endure moments of difficulty and struggle because of the sinful nature of humanity, the Lord continues to work in our lives and leads us to the place of promise. As we consider the promise of God during this thanksgiving season, may we rejoice that God’s promise is not based on us, but instead, it is based on his character, his goodness, and his steadfast love. May we rejoice in the Lord, for he is a good promise, keeping loving God.
