God Wants a Record

Let me ask you a question. Do you write things down that God has done or how scripture has spoken to you over the years? You should It's in the Bible. We must record God's actions in our lives. We must keep track of God's leading and guiding through the Word. Jeremiah wrote things down, just as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Ezra and Nehemiah did. Just as Moses did. Just as they were commanded to do. 

Jeremiah 30:2–3 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. 3 For behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the LORD, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it.”

The people of Israel were doomed to exile. God wanted a record of His promised restoration written down so they might know He is reliable and faithful. He never gives up on His people. I think we all suffer from short-term memory concerning God's goodness and long-term memorization of life's battles. This inevitably leads to depression and anxiety. The problem is our sinful nature is always present to bring us down, and the devil is always present to accuse us. 

We need to keep a record of God's goodness.

We have a record of God's chastisement of Israel as well. And Jeremiah records that here. 

Jeremiah 30:4–5 (ESV) These are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah: 5 “Thus says the LORD: We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, and no peace.

But so often, we fail to remember the promise that every chastisement is ultimately for our good and development. Just look at the very next passage. 

Jeremiah 30:8–9 (ESV) “And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and I will burst your bonds, and foreigners shall no more make a servant of him. 9 But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

Just in case Israel wasn't getting the message, Jeremiah spells it out. 

Jeremiah 30:10–11 (ESV) “Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. 11 For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

Sometimes, tough love is the only thing that works for rebellious sinners. Such was the case for Israel, and God made that clear. Their idolatry and lusting after the nations around them only brought wounds to who they were made to be.

Jeremiah 30:14–15 (ESV) All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant. 15 Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these things to you.

Not only does God promise to restore Israel, but He will punish those instruments of their chastisement. 

Jeremiah 30:16–17 (ESV) Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured, and all your foes, every one of them, shall go into captivity; those who plunder you shall be plundered, and all who prey on you I will make a prey. 17 For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’

All of this is one thing to see in Israel; it is far more difficult to experience in our own lives. But there is a phrase at the end of this chapter that reminds us that Israel experienced it in real-time, and God made sure they knew He understood their failure to realize that this hardship was good for them. 

Jeremiah 30:24 (ESV) The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.

This is why we must write it down. We must keep a record. Soon, the trouble is over, the work is accomplished, God has proven faithful again, and we move on without even a thought. If we fail to remember, then history will repeat and we will either go back to our old destructive ways or find ourselves confused by God's discipline again.