Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"My heart yearns for him"
Text: Jeremiah 31:20
THE HEART OF GOD REVEALED
If Ephraim would genuinely return to God, how would he be received? The heart of the LORD is wonderfully revealed in this word.
“Is Ephraim My dear son?
Is he a pleasant child?
For though I spoke against him,
I earnestly remember him still;
Therefore My heart yearns for him;
I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 31:20
1. “Is Ephraim My dear son?”
a) Would a prodigal son like Ephraim be still considered “dear?”
b) The LORD sought to assure Ephraim of His love!
2. “Is he a pleasant child?”
a) This is a different question.
b) Would God now regard him as a “pleasant child?”
c) Again, the LORD sought to assure Ephraim that he was still pleasant to Him.
3. “For though I spoke against him”
a) What were the reasons why these questions came up?
b) It was because the LORD had spoken against Ephraim:
i) Very strongly.
ii) Very sternly.
c) The severe words of chastening caused Ephraim to wonder whether God still cared lovingly.
4. “I earnestly remember him still”
a) God assures Ephraim that He remembers him.
b) The LORD has not forgotten Ephraim at all!
5. “Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD”
a) God’s heart continued to yearn for Ephraim.
i) With deep affection.
ii) With great compassion.
b) God will extend mercy to Ephraim.
i) If Ephraim returned to God genuinely.
ii) If Ephraim would walk with the LORD faithfully once again.