Jeremiah 32:38-41  “They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.” (NLT)

Jeremiah 32:37-41
“‘Watch for this! I will collect them from all the countries to which I will have driven them in my anger and rage and indignation. Yes, I’ll bring them all back to this place and let them live here in peace. They will be my people, I will be their God. I’ll make them of one mind and heart, always honoring me, so that they can live good and whole lives, they and their children after them. What’s more, I’ll make a covenant with them that will last forever, a covenant to stick with them no matter what, and work for their good. I’ll fill their hearts with a deep respect for me so they’ll not even think of turning away from me. (MSG)

“‘Oh how I’ll rejoice in them! Oh how I’ll delight in doing good things for them! Heart and soul, I’ll plant them in this country and keep them here!’”

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What is the heart of God like for those who endure his discipline? What is his purpose in their pain?

If, as C. S. Lewis says, “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world,” it is deployed to draw people back to the heart of God, back to his grace and mercy, back to his love and delight in them. 

Jeremiah speaks the words God has shut up in his bones. He declares the truths God places in his mouth. 

First, God loves his people, and he wants them to know and experience his love as their first purpose in life. To worship God is to express our love for him to him. This is good for each of us and for our descendants. 

Second, God says he will never stop doing good for those who belong to him. 

Third, his joy is doing good for those who love him. 

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.   

Jesus put it this way: “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 

God loves loving you. He wants you to experience his love and goodness in all things. He wants your well-loved life to overflow into the lives of your families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community. 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love? There’s more than enough with our Father in Heaven as the source and our lives giving expression of his impression. 

This is what the heart of God is like. This is his plan and purpose for every person.

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I will receive and extend God’s love.

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Our Father, please forgive us for misunderstanding your purpose in this world. Empower us to align our hearts and minds with yours. Use us as instruments of your overflowing love and grace. Make us kind and compassionate, joyful and peaceful. Amen.