The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
No matter who we are, or how long we pursued relationship with God, everyone goes through what we call “desert experiences.” These are hard times with God, which always seem to offer some great revelation or lesson in the end. We call these desert experiences as a biblical illusion to Moses in the nation of Israel. Many times, God speaks to us through these moments in our lives. But is that really a part of the plan?
If we read through the Old Testament again, we may find that they were left in the desert largely in part due to continued rebellion and disobedience. What does this say about our own spiritual journeys? When we get to a place where we don’t feel God’s love, it is quite possible we’ve not been around God enough to let Him love on us.
But God doesn’t stop loving us when we stray from consistent commitment or meaningful fellowship with Him. He doesn’t leave us when we don’t live up to our calling, as Paul wrote about in Ephesians 4. In fact, God waits patiently for us and with us.
We must realize that life isn’t some science experiment. Jesus pointed out the most important thing to do in life is to love God and love people. The idea of God being disappointed in us when we stray is not what the new covenant is about. The law does still exist, and we are called to honor it with our lives. However, God is not foiled by our failures. As Hebrews says, He disciplines us as His children out of love for us and His desire to make us righteous.
Righteousness is hard. While righteous living is of upmost importance, God is still about the relationship. Jeremiah 31:2-3 says, “This is what the Lord says: the people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel. The Lord appeared to us in the passing: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with love and kindness.” And like Romans 2:4 tells us, God‘s kindness leads you toward repentance.
So when you start thinking you haven’t been reading your Bible like you’re supposed to, or praying like you should be, ask yourself if it’s a lack of biblical knowledge and or token prayers that make you feel dry and tired, or if it’s maybe caused by not spending time hanging out with the only One who can give us real rest.
Dig Deeper:
Read Matthew 11 and Psalm 62.
Prayer:
Father, I’m burnt out from attempting to be righteous by trying harder. I want to rest and you. I want to understand how do you draw me in with kindness. Help me to live out of love you shower on me.
