bits and pieces
of my paper on Jeremiah:

the Hebrew word of shub. This word relates to repentance in a covenantal way as well as practically. It means to “arrive again at the initial point of departure”, or indicates a change of loyalty. In other words, the people needed to make a full commitment, nothing half-hearted or compromising. The requirements for a right relationship with God were very clear and straightforward: He wanted the right relationship between them as before.

Repentance is still a very hard thing for people to do. It means giving up something comfortable and familiar because it hinders a relationship with God. Repentance suggests a confession that we are wrong about something. We like to think we have it all figure out; it’s all under control.

Repentance is often half-hearted. We are willing to admit that some things are wrong, but others we would like to keep for ourselves. We hope for a compromise in order to stay comfortable, but that is not what God desires. God desires shub. To restore the relationship that once was, we must repent whole-heartedly

So often the focus is the effects of a disloyal heart – what the consequences will be for failing. What about the truly repentant heart? Is it simply a mystery that is revealed in an epiphany once we repent?

God provided a remnant for his covenant promise. There is a promise to hold on to despite the destruction of Israel. This was a bad day in the history of the Israelites. They were destroyed and led into exile by the Babylonians. But we have a hope because we believe. Here is hope to hang on to during your bad days: that because of God’s great love we are not consumed. The Hebrew word Hesed means God’s covenant love. It is God’s distinct choosing of a people and promising that he will never let them go.

Hesed also means covenant loyalty. It’s the same kind of loyalty God desires for us to return. Hesed is the love that remembers what was promised at the beginning, and calls us back toward that way of living. It is the love of the Father: the love that says He would rather send His Son to die than ever live without them. It is the love that says, “I will not let go, I promise”.

God wraps his arms around us in covenant love, even on the bad days, and especially in the bad days. God doesn’t promise to hold us above the pain, but does let me know that in the midst of what’s going on I’m being held. The promise of being held is a hard lesson to learn on a bad day.

Lamentations 3:22 says, “The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail"