.png)
“I will surely gather them from all the lands… They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.” Jeremiah 32:37-41 (NIV)
This prophecy is SO beautiful. Let’s just file this under “things that were said to others that I wish were said to ME”! But even though it was said by God through the prophet Jeremiah to the exiled Israel and Judah (and it’s important to read the Bible in context), I can at least see something amazing here that applies to me – something about the character and nature of God.
God delights in giving good gifts to His children, even sinful, wayward ones. And here it seems that one of the good things on the menu is the faith/resolve to follow Him! “Singleness of heart and action so that they will always fear me” – Yes, Please, and make mine a double! Knowing that God promised this to the Israelites gives me the idea that I can pray for that for myself. I may not have had that thought otherwise.
Isn’t the faith part up to me?
No, He can help with that. I love that God can supercharge both the heart and actions – for we can’t have a solid faith with one and not the other. He says that He will “inspire them to fear me,” meaning we don’t have to conjure up our own faith; it is a gift He loves to give, and He gives it even to those who have strayed from His commandments a million times. Mind blown!
Renewed prayers for myself, my husband, my children, my friends, my readers … that we will seek and find this “singleness of heart and action” as a gift from God.
Tricia McCorkle is a Contributor for Humble Faith Ministries, Jesus follower, Southern California wife and mom of three who loves writing, teaching math, singing in choir, and making cakes. Tricia has a passion for all people to know God's love and feel included in circles of faith.