God Did Not Applaud

Jeremiah 31:27-34

In many countries, driving age is 18. In California, however, you can get your license at age 16. A Christian couple had a son called Jim. During the first six months of his driving, Jim got two speeding tickets. His parents had a long talk with him and asked him to keep his eyes on the speedometer. At the end of the talk, Jim’s father took a piece of paper, wrote their agreement and had him sign it.

This agreement reminds me of God’s covenant with Israel. God promised to be their God, to care for them and to keep them. Israel, on the other hand, promised to live in obedience to God’s laws.

Jim made many promises to his parents but he did not keep them. Israel made many promises to God and failed to keep them, too.

In the 31^st verse, we see that God does not give up from His people. He makes another covenant, a different one: a new covenant, a new possibility. What a wonderful God that offers a second chance to people who fail in their covenant.

Let’s go back to Jim. Some time later, the police caught him speeding again. This time Jim expected a disaster at home. When his father knew what had happened, he looked at him in the eye and said, “I will pay the penalty and will give you another chance.” He tore the previous agreement, took another piece of paper and wrote down another agreement.

God works with us in this manner. He makes with us new covenants, gives us new chances. He wants us to learn to obey Him.

“‘The time is coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel’” (vs. 31). The prophetic voice of Jeremiah talks about a new, special covenant. Yes, God did make the new covenant, the best covenant, through sending His Son Jesus Christ.

“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (vs. 33). Our covenant through Jesus Christ changes us from the inside out. As we accept our sin and commit ourselves to Him, he makes us new creatures.

A few weeks later, Jim got yet another speeding ticket, as he was driving 100 mph in a 50 mph zone. The police escorted him home and suspended his license. The penalty was huge. The father took away the car keys, sold some of Jim’s personal things and paid the fee. Some of you will now think, “Finally, he learnt to be a father. Let’s applaud to him!”

God did not applaud. He continues forgiving and giving new chances. God gives a chance whenever He sees a person ready to repent and asking for a new possibility.

This new chance is in the new life written in our hearts. Paul writes, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (II Cor. 3:2,3).

Let’s not misuse the chances God offers us. Let’s remember that God has made a covenant with us. It is up to us to live our part and live in obedience to His Word.