God's Promises: Faithfulness Through Tribulation and Restoration

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Jeremiah 30, exploring the profound promises of God and their relevance to us today. Using the metaphor of a golf game, we examined how God has a "complete game"—He is precise in His short-term actions and has a long-term plan that spans eternity. We reflected on the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecies, particularly focusing on the promises made to the nation of Israel. Despite their constant rebellion, God remained faithful, fulfilling His promises in the short term and setting the stage for future fulfillment.

We discussed the significance of God's promises that have yet to be fulfilled, emphasizing that God is a promise-keeping God. This gives us hope and assurance that what He has declared will come to pass. We also touched on the concept of the "day" versus "days" in Jeremiah 30, indicating a future period of tribulation and ultimate restoration. This period will be marked by God's judgment and purification of His people, leading to a time when the yoke of sin and oppression will be permanently broken through Jesus Christ.

We also addressed the importance of understanding these Old Testament prophecies in light of New Testament revelations. The promises made to Israel are not nullified but are part of a larger, unfolding plan that includes the church. This understanding helps us to see that God's work is ongoing and that His promises are sure, even if they have not yet been fully realized.

In conclusion, we were reminded that God's bird's-eye view encompasses all of history and the future. He sees the end from the beginning and is faithful to complete the work He has started in us. This gives us confidence and hope as we navigate the uncertainties of life, knowing that God is in control and His promises are true.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Complete Game: Just as a golfer needs both a short game and a long game, God is precise in His immediate actions and has a long-term plan that spans eternity. This assures us that He is in control and His promises will be fulfilled in due time. [35:40]

2. Faithfulness Despite Rebellion: The history of Israel shows a pattern of rebellion and failure, yet God remained faithful. This teaches us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our actions but on His unchanging nature. He will fulfill His promises regardless of our shortcomings. [36:47]

3. Future Fulfillment of Promises: Many of the promises in Jeremiah 30 have yet to be fulfilled, indicating a future period of tribulation and restoration. This reminds us to look forward with hope and anticipation, trusting that God will bring His plans to completion. [38:49]

4. The Role of Tribulation: The tribulation period is not about uncontrolled wrath but about God's purposeful judgment and purification of His people. It serves to call the nation of Israel back to Himself and to bring about ultimate justice and restoration. [51:41]

5. God's Grip on Us: We often feel the need to cling to God, but it's comforting to know that He is the one holding onto us. His grip is secure, ensuring that the work He has started in us will be brought to completion, giving us confidence and peace. [01:14:43]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[33:58] - Pastor Craig's Confession
[34:38] - Golf and God's Complete Game
[35:40] - Jeremiah 30: God's Bird's Eye View
[36:47] - Faithfulness Despite Rebellion
[37:53] - God's Short Game and Long Game
[38:49] - Future Fulfillment of Promises
[39:48] - The Already and Not Yet
[40:39] - Hope in God's Promises
[41:25] - Diving into Jeremiah 30
[42:22] - Days Are Coming
[44:03] - Partial and Complete Fulfillment
[45:37] - Historical Context and Future Implications
[46:22] - The Day of the Lord
[48:05] - God's Compassion and Discipline
[51:41] - The Role of Tribulation
[01:02:16] - God's Judgment and Restoration
[01:06:10] - Breaking the Yoke of Sin
[01:14:43] - God's Grip on Us
[01:18:16] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 30:1-3
- Jeremiah 30:4-7
- Philippians 1:6

### Observation Questions
1. What does God promise to do for Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 30:1-3?
2. How does the sermon describe God's "complete game" in relation to His promises? [35:40]
3. What is the significance of the shift from "days" to "the day" in Jeremiah 30, as mentioned in the sermon? [43:15]
4. According to Philippians 1:6, what assurance do we have about the work God has started in us?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of a golf game help us understand God's precision in His short-term actions and His long-term plan? [35:40]
2. In what ways does the history of Israel's rebellion and God's faithfulness provide hope for us today? [36:47]
3. What is the purpose of the tribulation period as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to God's promises? [51:41]
4. How does Philippians 1:6 encourage believers to trust in God's ongoing work in their lives?

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt impatient or frustrated because you couldn't see how the pieces of your life were coming together. How does understanding God's "complete game" give you hope in such situations? [38:49]
2. The sermon mentioned that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our actions but on His unchanging nature. How can this truth change the way you view your own failures and shortcomings? [36:47]
3. How can you actively remind yourself of God's promises that have yet to be fulfilled, especially during challenging times? [38:49]
4. The sermon discussed the role of tribulation as a period of judgment and purification. How can this understanding shape your perspective on current global or personal trials? [51:41]
5. Philippians 1:6 assures us that God will complete the work He has started in us. What specific steps can you take this week to trust more in God's grip on your life rather than your own efforts? [01:14:43]
6. How can you incorporate the hope of God's future promises into your daily life and interactions with others?
7. Think of a specific promise of God that you are holding onto. How can you share this promise with someone who might need encouragement this week?

Devotional

Day 1: God's Complete Game
God's precision in immediate actions and His eternal plan assure us of His control and faithfulness. Just as a golfer needs both a short game and a long game, God is precise in His immediate actions and has a long-term plan that spans eternity. This metaphor helps us understand that God is not only concerned with the here and now but also with the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. His "complete game" assures us that He is in control and that His promises will be fulfilled in due time. This understanding gives us confidence and hope, knowing that every detail of our lives is part of His grand design. [35:40]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: Think about a situation in your life where you feel uncertain about the future. How can you trust in God's complete game, knowing that He has both short-term and long-term plans for you?

Day 2: Faithfulness Despite Rebellion
The history of Israel shows a pattern of rebellion and failure, yet God remained faithful. This teaches us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our actions but on His unchanging nature. He will fulfill His promises regardless of our shortcomings. This is a powerful reminder that even when we fall short, God's love and faithfulness remain constant. His promises are not nullified by our failures but are anchored in His steadfast character. This gives us the assurance that we can always return to Him, no matter how far we have strayed. [36:47]

2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt you had failed God. How does knowing that His faithfulness is not dependent on your actions change your perspective and give you hope?

Day 3: Future Fulfillment of Promises
Many of the promises in Jeremiah 30 have yet to be fulfilled, indicating a future period of tribulation and restoration. This reminds us to look forward with hope and anticipation, trusting that God will bring His plans to completion. The concept of "already and not yet" helps us understand that while some promises have been partially fulfilled, their complete fulfillment is still to come. This future-oriented perspective encourages us to live with hope and expectancy, knowing that God's ultimate plan is one of restoration and renewal. [38:49]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you are still waiting to see fulfilled in your life? How can you hold onto hope and trust in His faithfulness during this waiting period?

Day 4: The Role of Tribulation
The tribulation period is not about uncontrolled wrath but about God's purposeful judgment and purification of His people. It serves to call the nation of Israel back to Himself and to bring about ultimate justice and restoration. Understanding this helps us see that tribulation is not merely punitive but redemptive. It is a process through which God refines and purifies His people, preparing them for a future of peace and righteousness. This perspective can transform how we view our own trials, seeing them as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. [51:41]

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Think about a current trial or difficulty you are facing. How can you view this tribulation as a means of purification and growth in your relationship with God?

Day 5: God's Grip on Us
We often feel the need to cling to God, but it's comforting to know that He is the one holding onto us. His grip is secure, ensuring that the work He has started in us will be brought to completion, giving us confidence and peace. This assurance allows us to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that our salvation and sanctification are ultimately in His hands. It is not our grip on God that matters, but His grip on us. This truth provides immense comfort and security, especially during times of doubt and struggle. [01:14:43]

John 10:28-29 (ESV): "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel like you are struggling to hold onto God? How can you find peace in the assurance that He is the one holding onto you?

Quotes

1. "And we see all these things. We see all these promises and God calling his shot. And those come true. They come to fruition. But do you know in Jeremiah 30, it's like if God's purposes were a golf ball, it's like God gets up on the tee and he tees up that golf ball and he hits that golf ball into the stratosphere. And we're going to see in Jeremiah 30 that God doesn't abandon the short game, but he's going to give us. He's going to give us a unique bird's eye view." [37:53] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And here's what I believe to my core is that God is a promise-keeping God. God is a promise-keeping God. So here's what happens when you look at some of these passages like Jeremiah 30, and you can go and you can see the short game. Of what God had in store for his people. And just to give us an idea, when we talk about the short game of God, we're talking about a 70-year period of time, right? So it's just, again, a reminder that many times we can get impatient, we can grow weary, we can get frustrated, we don't see how all the pieces of our life are coming together." [38:49] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And we can look with expectation. And we can look with excitement, believing that God is going to make good on his promises. He's done enough in the revealed promises that he gave us about his Messiah, Jesus Christ, and what Christ came to do. And you look at the Old Testament, and you look at all those prophecies that were fulfilled in Christ. Some of them are yet to come. But we can look at what happened. And in the life, the death, the resurrection of Jesus. And we can have hope that not a single one of those promises is going to be left undone. And we get to look with expectation and hope today." [40:39] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And there's a complete fulfillment that's going to happen. And when we look at the day, which we will in a minute, and we look and we see what is meant by that, it lets us know there was something that happened, right? And it's not just a day. In 537 B.C., after the three generations passed, as God had declared through Jeremiah, as we've been looking through the book of Jeremiah, there would be an event in 537, where King Cyrus of Persia would defeat the Babylonians, and there would be a partial fulfillment. The people would return back to the land. The temple would be rebuilt. But we know that it's not the end of the story." [44:49] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And why is this important for us? You know where I stand, right? And there's godly people that have different perspectives, right? So, I mean, we can engage and have godly Christ-like conversations around how the end times are going to play out. But I think Jeremiah 30 is important for us to recognize that these are future promises because we still look with anticipation of what God is going to do and these promises that are going to be fulfilled. And as I understand, I understand the scripture and I go back to books like Jeremiah." [50:22] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Because do we want a God that really turns a blind eye to all the evil and all the injustice that's in the world? I don't. I don't. And there's coming a time... When what is broken and wrong in this world will be made right. And we have to continue to believe that. You know, a reason why, again, why I think these are events that are yet to come in Jeremiah 30 is there... It begins, it says, we have heard a cry of terror, of dread. There is no peace. There is no peace. There is no peace in the world." [01:03:25] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And when Jesus breaks a yoke, when Jesus breaks the chains, it's a permanent breaking. There is no turning back. And did you see it says they will serve and serve the Lord. And when Jesus breaks the yoke, when Jesus breaks the chains, he unfamiliarlyじゃない to the ways of the law and the law in the kingdom of God. are diminish enslave him you are future. These are promises that are a future promises for the people of God. That we can lean into even today." [01:06:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And when we look at this passage right here it says this is the declaration of the lord of armies i believe we're talking about a a pre-incarnate example of jesus christ right here and it makes sense because humanity is encased and is capable of breaking the chains there is nothing on this earth that is able to break the chains of what's being referred to here because ultimate captivity can't come through a person or another human being right we we become captive to our sin we had a sin problem that was a yoke there was a chain that couldn't be dealt with it had to be dealt with through God himself and this is what we see here this is a permanent breaking of those chains that only happened through Jesus Christ and what God has done for us" [01:09:13] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And why we have to be confident that what God starts from his bird's eye view even if things look like they're falling off track or even if things look like how in the world is this going to work out for some good we can be confident from God's bird's eye view that he's going to finish the work that he has started in each one of us and isn't it great to know we can take that pressure off of ourselves we don't have to be the ones that are that are clinging and it was such a transformative thought in my mind when i finally understood one day because i spent a lot of my life feeling like i was trying to cling and hold on to god like i just can't let go i gotta cling and i gotta hold on and while there's an aspect of that that's true what john says is that we can't be snatched out of his hand so what that means is that as much as we might think we've got to hold on and grasp god you know he's he's the one that's doing the gripping and holding on to us we can be reminded of that today that god loves us enough that he's he's holding on to us he's got us in his grasp ensuring that the work that he started will be made complete on the day of christmas christ jesus the day of christ jesus the day of the lord just like we see back prophesied in jeremiah 30 the day of the lord" [01:14:43] (110 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And it's important for us to go back and look at these old testament promises because they still hold true today father we come before you we love you we thank you and we're reminded today lord that again you're in control we pray for rick lord that you would continue to heal his body thank you that we can be reminded today that sometimes we just need to be the church family and we can be interrupted lord so that we can gather together and pray in an intentional way so thank you" [01:18:16] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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