"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE"
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Some explanatory thoughts/Application, and a prayer:
1. God is speaking to Jeremiah here, to speak to the children of Israel, He has a message for them, and it's one that applies to you and I as well.
2. Here's what the LORD said. Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
3. Let's break this down little by little.
(1) The message of God was said to be delivered long ago to Israel.
(2) The message is "Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love"
(3) Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
4. What does all of this mean to us?
(1) God is love, and He has loved His people, and He loves You also.
(2) God also tells us that His love is everlasting. He always has been "Love" He is today.
(3) God is also declaring that His love is unfailing. His love never ceases or fails.
(4 ) God is also saying, that "I have drawn you to myself. His love draws people to Himself.
5. You and I have been loved by God, and we have been drawn to Him because of His love. We are His people, and we always will be His people. Nothing can separate us from the love of God ( Rom 8 )
For anyone we know who was drawn to the Lord and has passed from this life to the next, they also were drawn by that same love, and they two were drawn to God Himself, and they are at this moment with God in heaven.
6. As a pastor I regularly meet people who are dying and will soon be with the Lord. Here I am talking with someone down here in this world, and in just a few hours, or days, they will leave this temporary dwelling place called their body, and enter into heaven itself and see the Lord, and be clothed with an eternal body, one not made with hands. We will see them again. They are with the Lord and that's where we are headed to be with God forever, and ever.
A prayer:
Father, You have given Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, and in doing so He paid for our sins. And, You did this because of Your great love, Your love for us. And, Jesus died not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world. ( John 3:17, and 1st John 2:1-2 ) And, You by and through Your goodness, have led us to repentance, and You have given us faith to believe in You, and You have saved us. We are Yours today. We will be Yours tomorrow, and forever and forever.
We also know that our loved ones who are in heaven are waiting there for us, to see us no doubt, just as we are waiting to see them again. Thank You for saving them, and thank You for saving us.
In Jesus name. Amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
