Following Jesus From the Edges – Repaired but still Broken

Following Jesus From the Edges – Morning Devotions
Repaired but still Broken
Pastor Calvin Cook – September 6, 2024
Scripture focus – Jeremiah 31:1-4 “At that time, declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.” 2Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, 3the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. 4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built.

One of the conversations that happen in a covenant group at least the one I am associated with is “What is building you up? What is breaking you up?”. In this conversation with people I am in covenant with the answers have always been more centered with a focus of what is breaking us up or tearing us apart or crushing our spirts. Instead upon the hope of God that is building us up constantly. This might be why we can’t answer the question with honesty “How is it with your soul?” and “How are you seeing, experiencing, and sharing Jesus”.

Are we crushed or broken because we have tried to conform the teachings of scripture to what we need to get through or are we seriously working to build our faith stronger to experience God more or age we just doing what we do in our faith journey to get through. Then we become grievous because we are unable to experience Jesus in all ways at all times. We allow the crushing, distracting, lying of satan to steal what ever joy we could be experiencing or longing for. A reminder is this master of deception, slithers and slinks around our lives just waiting the opportunity to spring forth with more lies causing us to be distracted from the goodness of God.

Yet, here is the hope, the assurance of a better thing and a better way. This hope is only found in Jesus. In Jeremiah we see the people freed from oppression, tyranny, and spiritual deception being lead from captivity of their mind, body, and soul. God through his Prophet Jeremiah is reminding them of an everlasting love, continued faithfulness, and grace in the journey through the wilderness of life.

Here is the good news – God is doing the same thing for you. That in each moment, minute, circumstance there are two things happening – the battle of good and evil. You will have to choose which side, which way you will go. What you will choose to allow to happen in your life and what you will embrace and what attitude will claim you.

The Michael W. Smith song speaks – “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by you.” Today choose wisely what you will surround your self. Choose to be built up by the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, not broken by every attack of the spirit of defeat and brokenness. How will you fight this battle? Through your prayers on your knees.