Jeremiah 30:11 ‘I am with you and will save you,’ declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.’

This is part of one of many messages the Lord gave to Jeremiah to pass on to the children of Israel, his chosen people. This was a nation with which the Lord forged a special relationship over time. He provided leadership through the prophets who taught them what the will of the Lord was but they would often rebel and do as they pleased. God would grant them favor repeatedly and forgive them. So great was God’s love for them, he would even destroy whole nations for their sake.

God is just and, like a good parent, he administers discipline but shows mercy at the same time. Why? Because he is faithful to what he has covenanted with his children. If you are a believer and feel that you are being disciplined by God, it is not a time for despair. Rather it is a time for hope. Look at the pattern in Jeremiah 30. You will see that God promised his people: “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds…” So whether your present wound is physical, emotional, financial or otherwise, God can restore you.

In the same way God said to Israel: “I am with you and will save you” he has covenanted himself to believers today: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 5:13). Do not trust in the way you feel nor give in to your current circumstances, instead depend on the relationship you have had with the God of the new covenant and, like David, cry out for help. “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (Psalm 18:6).