“To follow Jesus is to be a wholemaker, essentially to love the world into new being and life.” – Ilia Delio

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Listen to my song “Seasons” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Jeremiah 31:3-4

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt.

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What a different view of God this scripture verse gives us than the punishing, retribution-seeking God that we often see portrayed in the Old Testament.

That is the god many people seem to believe in.

But it doesn’t jive with the God who is love (1 John 4:8).

In my opinion, the tyrant god was created by people projecting their own desires for retribution onto God.

Jesus gave us the definitive reflection of God.

He is quoted as saying that if you know him, then you would know God (John 14:7).

Jesus believed in a justice that didn’t punish nor seek retribution – but restored.

No matter how many times people turned from God throughout the Old Testament, God never abandoned them.

This is what they eventually realized.

Jesus preached that you must forgive an infinite number of times (Matthew 18:21-22).

He also commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

This is who God is: the ultimate Forgiver and Lover.

Restoration is what is happening throughout all of creation.

But it doesn’t happen without deterioration.

All things die – then there is rebirth.

It is the cycle of God’s creative process.

We have to let go of one thing so another can begin.

Though our bodies will eventually die, our souls will go on.

So, do not fear!

All things are being made new (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:5) – including you!

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Listen to the song of the day “Seasons” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!