Week 2 - My Beloved Calls Me to Arise!

I hope that everyone cherished our verse from Jeremiah 32:38, 40, 41 this last week. I know that it was a powerful one for me and I just couldn't decide which part was my favorite. I think my favorite parts were "...and I will never stop doing good to them", and "...I will INSPIRE them to fear me". Wow. Powerful stuff.

Barb had a wonderful lesson, as usual, to help shed some light on this meaty verse. If you are in the online group or missed class this week, no worries! We've posted it online- simply click here. (Or right-click that link and select "Save target as...")

She also wrote a beautiful summary of the class for us- here is what she said:

"This week was a weighty lesson as we looked at the verses that surround "our verses" in Jeremiah 32. God makes these beautiful promises to us in the context of His people, under His sovereignty, having to live in temporary exile under the godless rule of Babylon(70 years!). They are told to build houses, plant gardens, and pray for this fallen land of exile as long as they live there. They will suffer for a while as they live in this land ruled by their enemy (but ruling only by permission of God and completely under His Mighty Hand). As they live they wait for God to fulfill His sure Word. Does this seem familiar to you and me, now, here? We were born under a curse - God's curse pronounced on this world back in Genesis. But out of this curse He has saved and redeemed many. We are no longer under this curse because Christ was cursed for us. (See our #3 verse!) We live now under His forgiveness, His acceptance, adopted as His children, and will live eternally with Him. BUT FOR NOW we LIVE in the midst of a fallen world and we and creation groan as we WAIT for that day when His restoring and saving work will be completely finished.

So today, recall and enjoy what God has done in your life, and live out of His promises NOW as you WAIT for everything to be made right. He is our peace, our strength, as we wait. One day at a time. And remember, He rejoices in loving you, forgiving you, applying the riches of His salvation in your life, doing good to you, and walking with you in this fallen land. You and I are not alone."

Isn't that such wonderful news? I can't believe that such a powerful and amazing God would REJOICE in loving me, forgiving me, over and over and over.

She also referenced a few things in her class that I will include here for your convenience:

1) "Broken Hallelujah" by Mandisa (YouTube Video with lyrics here)

2) "Morning and Evening" - Wonderful devotions by Charles Spurgeon

3) Biblegateway.com - A great site to read the Bible in many different translations

Please share your thoughts and anything that's going on with you this week. We'd love to laugh with you, cry with you, pray with/for you, and learn from you as well.

I'm excited about learning this next verse because it reminds me of the LOVE story of the gospel. The most beautiful love story ever written, and best of all, it's true. Here it is- have a great week!

#2 MY BELOVED CALLS ME TO ARISE

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:10 (ESV)

My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love,
my beautiful one, and come away...”