Topic: Who Can Stay His Hand? [January 6, 2017]
Text: Jeremiah 31:27-40
Key Verse: “Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:37).
The alchemists were an ancient group of philosophers who sought to produce a substance that could turn base metals such as mercury into gold. They also hoped to manufacture a product that could extend man’s life. They called it elixir of life which could be useful for rejuvenation and eventually for earthly immortality. It was a far-fetched goal they never achieved.
It sent them into derisive oblivion in history, because they went into a field exclusively God’s specialty: making the impossible possible. In the passage we are considering, God proclaims that He alone is capable of turning the base things, notably the heart of base man (in this case the sinful souls of the children of Israel) into one fit for a new covenant.
The earlier covenant that God made with their fathers metamorphosed into a new one whereby He will inscribe His indelible law in their hearts such that “they shall teach no more every man his neighbour… for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD.” Now, this is the profound impact of the Cross of Jesus Christ, changing fallen men and women like Peter, John, James, Paul, Mary Magdalene, along with today’s Christians into great golden vessels of honour for the Master’s use.
Paul, formerly injurious, a blasphemer and persecutor, convincingly testified about this inimitable work of God’s grace he obtained by mercy (1 Timothy 1:12-14). God wraps up His future work on Israel and those following Christ by declaring that the only thing that can stay His hand from fulfilling His promise is if man can annul His decree on the unchangeable law of day and night. Can that happen? A heathen king gave this answer when he came face to face with God’s awesome power: “… he (Almighty God) doeth according to his will … and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35).
Thought for the day: Only God’s power can transform sinful man.
Bible Reading in one Year: Matthew 12-13
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
