How To Reconnect With God & Receive A Word

Last week, I started something new. I reached for my Bible and prayed for God to give me a word. "Lord speak to me through the words You've already written. Show me what You want to tell me through the words You've already spoken."

God's word is His word. And yes, the Lord speaks to us in many ways including dreams, visions, and even through the Holy Spirit. But sometimes those words require discernment. Is this vision or dream from the Lord? Am I hearing correctly? I wanted a word I didn't have to question and so, I turned to the unquestionable word of God and He led me to Jeremiah 31.

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt." Jeremiah 31:3-4

• God loves you.

• God is rebuilding you.

"They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble." Jeremiah 31:9

• God leads us in the way of righteousness and prosperity.

• He leads us along the path of protection and provision.

"Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all." Jeremiah 31:12

• God tends our souls like a good gardener, removing the weeds and nourishing us so that we bloom beautifully and bountifully.

"For I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13

• God does not leave us in our grief. He redeems it.

"My people shall be satisifed with My goodness, says the Lord." Jeremiah 31:14

• We are not called to blind obedience or forced satisifcation. We are promised we will be satisfied with the way God works in our lives and with the relationship He builds with us.

"Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord." Jeremiah 31:16

• We are promised reward. We are promised we are not working in vain. Our faithfulness and obedience is not for nothing.

"There is hope in your future, says the Lord." Jeremiah 31:17

• There is reason to hope. His word says so.

This post is about the practice of reconnecting with God. Practically speaking, you can pray a similar pray as I did and let God direct you to a specific message He has for you. And yet, I also want to speak on the message He gave me.

Jeremiah 31 is a chapter of the Bible I'd never read before. These words--this truth--was hidden to me prior to this day. And yet, it is EVERYTHING I've needed to hear for so long.

Yes, other verses in the Bible speak to the same truths. With God, there is always a reason to hope. Because of Jesus, our greatest sorrows are not permanent. And yet, to see so many words of reassurance written in a single chapter of the Bible is a powerful experience. I didn't have to go searching for hope. It was right there--compact and concise. And unlike other verses of encouragement that may come from a disciple led by the Holy Spirit or be inspired poetry, these are the words of the Lord directly from the Lord.

Jeremiah 31 isn't just a message God gave me. It's His word, His promise left for us all. I pray this word speaks to you the way it did me. I pray that through this practice of letting God direct you to specific words He's left for you to find you will feel more connected to Him, more loved by Him, and more in-tune with Him.