Law in their hearts
Day 374, Wednesday, Aug. 20
Jeremiah 31:10-40
In a welcome change of tone, today’s reading is mostly hopeful, looking forward to the day when the exile will be over.
You’ll also notice today’s reading has several passages that are familiar to us from being quoted in the New Testament.
In verse 15 we read, “A voice is heart in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more,” which Matthew quotes as a fulfillment of prophesy after the massacre of the infants.
Then, in 33-34 we read, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.”
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Wednesday meditation

Job 23:1-17
Then Job replied: “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me. Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me. There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
“But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Prayer focus
Lord, place your law in our minds and write it on our hearts.