December 10, 2020
Promise Maker, Promise Keeper
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Callie Johnson
Central Truth
God's promises are sure despite the darkness of this world.
Key Verse | Jeremiah 23:5
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land."
Jeremiah 23:1-6
The Righteous Branch
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.
5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
Dive Deeper | Jeremiah 23:1-6
Let's consider what was happening in Judah at the time of this passage: The nation was ruled by a string of weak and evil kings who looked to the surrounding nations for security rather than to God. The people were scattered as a result of poor rule and refused to repent from sin. The Lord had just declared that the current king's offspring would never sit on the throne again. This posed a problem because He had promised in 2 Samuel 7 that David's kingdom would be established forever. God, however, reaffirmed in Jeremiah 23:5-6 His commitment that a future king from the line of David would rule His people righteously one day.
Imagine hearing that prophecy in the midst of such darkness. I probably would have thought there was no way that it could come true with the current circumstances! Yet 600 years later, a baby was born who fulfilled God's promise. That baby was His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was both fully God and fully man and later went on to take the wrath of sin you and I deserved on the cross so we could be in relationship with Him.
I am often tempted to doubt God's goodness and promises when I focus on circumstances around me rather than on Him. In fact, there was a time when I didn't believe the Lord could rescue me from the pit of despair after a broken relationship left me reeling. I allowed idols to rule me and turned to worldly comforts instead of the Lord. Yet in His timing, He kindly showed me that the only way to true life and joy is in and through Him (Psalm 16:11).
Friends, let's put aside the busyness of this season to focus on the fulfillment of God's greatest promise 2020 years ago. We can rejoice that God always keeps His promises no matter what's going on around us!
Discussion Questions
1. Romans 8:28 says that God works things together for our good. Describe a time when He fulfilled this promise to you after a time of darkness in your life.
2. What verses from the Bible gave you hope during this time of darkness? Psalm 23 is one of my personal favorites!
3. Do you feel like you're stuck in a pit? If so, check out re:generation, Watermark's recovery and discipleship ministry where you will hear stories of life change every week.