Built By Love

Built by Love: God's Enduring Promise

Bible Passage: Jeremiah 31:3-4

Have you ever asked yourself the question, what do I really know about love? Love is something many people want but very few know how to define what that looks like. The word love is one of the most overused and misunderstood words in the human language. When we talk about the love of God, my mind draws a blank because it cannot perceive what the love of God is. The one thing I do realize about love is that love is not what you say; love is what you do. Love is not a noun to be defined, but a verb to be acted upon. Love is not the words you speak, it is the way you show up.

In the text this morning, coming from the book of Jeremiah the 31st chapter, God is assuring the northern kingdom of Israel that he will restore them after the exile.Many in the nation of Israel were killed by the sword, but to those that survive, he promises restoration. Some of you this morning are going through some hard places and some strenuous but if you can just there is a of restoration.

What is it that motivates God to do what he does for us?

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:

Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:

Thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, (Jeremiah 31:3–4, KJV 1900)

1. Love's Eternal Promise

Jeremiah 31:3

The Bible uses very colorful language to describe the nature of God, but one of the most powerful statements that the Bible makes is “God is love” (1John 4:8) In the midst of Israel’s rebellion and disobedience against God, he never stopped, loving them. God loved his people enough to send the Prophets to warn them but they still would not listen.

It might be hard for us to believe, but even when God allows us to suffer, the driving force behind it is his love.

For I know •the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I have loved thee with an everlasting love:

The love that God loves us with his no ordinary love. It is impossible for a holy God to display an ordinary love.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1–2,)

Israel was in the middle of suffering captivity, but God sent a word of comfort to let them know they were not forgotten. Have you ever where you felt abandoned, , left for dead and all alone?

When we recognize that the weight of his love is more powerful than the weight of your trial.

According to Romans, there is nothing that can separate you from the love of God.

We will always quit before God’s love does

The type of love in the text is an intimate form of love. It involves flirting or in the Hebrew to “breathe after” it is a love that longs for and desires the object. It is a love that is flirtatious and consistent. God’s love is no ordinary love.

Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

What does God use for bait to bring us to him? People in this life think they know what they want, some have laser focus on dreams, goals, and aspirations, but there is a hole in the heart of every human that cannot be filled with anything except God himself.

We chase everything and came up with nothing. We think it’s the job, with a , or the money that’s truly going to bring us peace and happiness, but God something that man about, but it draws him to God.

Loving kindness

HESAD

hesed involves active intervention on behalf of someone in need, combining a sense of love and loyalty that motivates merciful and compassionate action,

What distinguishes hesed from ordinary kindness is its depth and durability. It transcends typical friendship and social obligation, representing an inclination toward “amazing grace” that operates independently of what emotions dictate or what recipients deserve

God’s hesed proves especially remarkable because it persists even when His people prove unfaithful to Him.1 The gospel message itself—God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus—flows from this hesed, addressing humanity’s fundamental need for restored fellowship with God, offered freely as a gift grounded in Christ’s sacrifice.

2. Rebuilt by Love

Jeremiah 31:4

Perhaps explore how God reassures His people with the promise of rebuilding and renewal. This verse illustrates His commitment to restoration, highlighting the transformational power of His love. This anticipates the work of Christ, who rebuilds lives through His salvific grace. Remind the congregation that no matter how broken they may feel, God's promise to restore and bring back joy and dancing is steadfast. Encourage them to open their hearts to the restorative work of Christ, trusting in His faithfulness to renew their souls.