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Awe-Inspiring

Jeremiah 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.

There is so much in this verse!  Everlasting covenant: Jesus has come for us and we are being transformed through Him.  It's interesting that God says He will never stop doing good to us.  I am right away taken to the pain and suffering that we experience and think "good?"  But there is so much good that we can get from all of the parts of our journey with Jesus as long as we are willing to open our hearts to His leading and transforming.  We are continually refined and that is a good thing.  The last portion stands out about being inspired to fear God.  I don't like that the word fear has a negative connotation in our culture.  Here it isn't a scare tactic, it is awe-inspiring, the reverent fear that sits back and looks on in complete amazement.  I don't know about you, but I have found that on this journey there have been many, many times when I sit back and giggle at how God has worked something so intricately, or marvel at how He shows up when all seems lost.  What I am most thankful for with God is the truth that He does not force us to love Him.  As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite.  He loves us.  What we choose to do with that is up to us.  How will you respond?

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