Journaling Through the Bible: Journaling Through Jeremiah (Paperback)

Jeremiah, AKA, "The Weeping Prophet", was the unfortunate man of God who was called to proclaim that the nation of Judah would suffer famine, foreign conquest, plunder, and captivity in a land not their own. I love the beginning of the book describing when his mission began. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)Like many of us, Jeremiah argued with God, came up with a million excuses why he was incapable of doing the task, and reminded by God that he was just a chosen vessel, that no matter how broken, would be used to speak the words of the Lord.Jeremiah demonstrates full human emotions throughout the book, walking through bouts of anger and depression as he suffered at the hands of his tormentors. But he always returned to his resolve to obey God knowing that it was not in his power to do otherwise.Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Jeremiah 20:9)Even through the torturous events that riddled the story of the life of Jeremiah and the house of Israel, Jeremiah is a book of hope, mercy & forgiveness!But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:33-34)The book of Jeremiah, although the story of one of the lowest points in the house of Israel reverberates with God's covenant to the people. It screams grace, mercy, forgiveness, HOPE accomplished only through a transformation of heart and mind, and obedience born out of commitment and relationship.The book of Jeremiah is the home of one of my favorite and in my opinion, most peace-giving verses in Scripture. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)He knew my beginning, my calling, before I was ever born, AND I have an expected end. According to this book, our lives are not random happenstance, but the divine plan of our Almighty God!