In his book From the Pit to the Pulpit, John Stroup shares about powerful, unfriendly forces of life that battered and bruised him physically, sexually, and emotionally. He notes, “I started using drugs before I could drive a car. . . . I quit school and began to get farther and farther into the criminal lifestyle.” Eventually John’s crimes landed him behind bars. While serving a five-year sentence, the Bible became real to him, and he was humbled before God. By God’s grace, he was liberated from habits that were previously stronger than he was.
Ancient Israel’s experience often included oppression and sometimes captivity “from the hand of those stronger than they” (Jeremiah 31:11). Even when their predicaments were because of their own folly, God Himself exercised His mercy and might on behalf of His wayward people. Renewal—including joyful singing, abundant harvests, and celebration (vv. 12-14)—was to be expected when God exercised His superior strength for their good.
John Stroup’s life is a testimony to God’s might on behalf of those who place their faith in God’s Son, Jesus. The Gospels witness to Christ’s power to counter the ugly forces of evil in human life. And the strength and power of Jesus can be accessed today through sincere, faith-filled prayer, and heartfelt surrender for “everyone who calls” on Him (Acts 2:21).
What life forces are you facing that are too strong for you? What’s keeping you from calling on Jesus for help?
Heavenly Father, please exercise Your superior strength in my life today.
Jeremiah 31 proclaimed hope to God’s people still devastated by the suffering of the exile when He promised to return them to their home (vv. 8-10). Not only that, but He promised to undo completely the harm that had been done, so that they’d have in abundance everything they needed to flourish (vv. 12-14). In the ancient Near East, drought was a constant threat, so the promise that God’s people would “be like a well-watered garden” (v. 12) would’ve been a particularly rich metaphor.
The foundation of this promise was God’s “everlasting love” (v. 3) and faithfulness. He reminded His people that His grace had been there even during their exile—just as they’d experienced His grace during their journey from Egypt to Canaan while wandering in the wilderness because of their sin (v. 2). God’s faithfulness in the past reminds us that we can trust Him to be faithful in our circumstances today.
