Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NRSV)
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Verse 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt-a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. Verse 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Verse 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Devotion
In “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness” we sing with Mary, “To Israel, your servant blest, your help is ever sure.” We, like Mary, are the recipients of God’s great gift of grace to Israel centuries ago when God established a new covenant with Israel. We, like Mary and ancient Israel, have the law of God written on our hearts. We, like Mary and ancient Israel, are God’s people. We, like Mary and ancient Israel, have been forgiven, and God no longer remembers our sin. Thus we sing with Mary, “My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord,” and anticipate again God’s coming in the person of Jesus during this holy season of Advent.
Prayer
Ever-gracious God, you fill us with joy as we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child. May we live out of the joy this day. Amen.