I have worded the title to this lesson this way for a reason … based on the preaching of Jeremiah the Old Testament Prophet. Quoting God now, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” God can determine NOT to remember something, Jeremiah 31:34!

And the New Testament Book of Hebrews twice uses this terminology of the Lord! Like this: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12, but add Hebrews 10:17 to this glorious list as well.

Yet, back to Jeremiah, there is something God specifically remembers and apparently loves to ponder! Jeremiah 2:2, in part: “Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the KINDNESS of thy youth, the LOVE of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.” God remembers young Israel’s KINDNESS and LOVE to Him!

Wow!

I wonder today if WE are as kind to God as when we first met Him, when He first saved our souls! The noun “kind” (kindness) used here is “hesed”” in Hebrew. It particularly involves “covenant loyalty!” As in the marriage ceremony, the vows we promised to our mate, staying faithful to her “til death do us part!”

That’s what delights the Lord!

I think the love Jeremiah mentions in our Text is elsewhere called “first love!” Full of fervor and dedication, almost “doting” on someone! Yes, God specifically remembers such as that!

So today, based on the Word of God (what great Authority), let’s practice “kindness” and “love” toward our Lord! Let us not grieve or quench Him in any way!

(If there are six things God hates, yea seven … then maybe there are six things in which God delights, year seven! And if I am anywhere near correct … two of these things are “kindness” and “love” to Him!)

Expressed specifically by those He has saved, delivered!

Now … lesson over.

Homework … “the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals” … analyze and develop and sharpen these disciplines in your life, as you once did when initially meeting Jesus!

In other words, have I maintained the fervency and vigor of my “kindness,” of my “first love” toward the Saviour?

One day He needed a drink of water, John 4:7, maybe today He “needs” your love and kindness!

Surely that’s the least we can render unto Him … for “all His benefits” toward us! See Psalm 116:12 for the vocabulary I’ve just used here.

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jeremiah 2:2 also says Israel “wentest after God” in the wilderness, at first anyway. The essence here (something else God fondly recalls) is “walking” with our Lord!

Jesus’ Words would have been … “Abide in Me!”

You all get the picture by now I am sure.

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