Grounded in God's Promises

Everyday Prayer with John Calvin
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-9

This passage begins with a brief description of the circumstance of the prophet. 33:1 tells us, "The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard." The reference to the "second time" echoes back to 32:1-2. This passage begins by describing to us the awful difficulty facing the prophet. It reminds us of another man of God who was shut up in prison because he was faithful (See Gen. 39:19-23). As the LORD was with Joseph, he is also with Jeremiah. He has not abandoned his servants to the enemy, and he is mindful of their condition. It is here in this miserable state that the LORD says to Jeremiah, "Call to me and I will answer you" (33:3). The God of the covenant promised that he would hear the prayer of his servant, and he would answer him.

Though we may not be stuck in prison, there are times of great difficulty in the life of the Christian. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted. We live in exile as we pilgrim through this life. We are not at home in this world. Our home is awaiting us -- a new and better country.

Meanwhile, God has promised to hear our prayers. The faithful God, through the work of the Great High Priest, hears us when we cry out to him. God promised to hear Jeremiah when he prayed, and he promises to listen to us when we pray. McKim writes, "That promise was true for Jeremiah, and it is true for all Christian believers throughout the New Testament. It is a promise made to us today. Prayer is grounded in God's promises." (59) John Calvin also remarks on this sure promise when he wrote, "our prayers depend upon no merit of ours, but their whole worth and hope of fulfillment are grounded in God's promises, and depend upon them, so that they need no other support, nor do they look about up and down, hither and thither." In other words, we do not cause God to hear our prayers. He has promised to do so. We also do not deserve an answer from him, but he has condescended to answer us when we call out to him. Therefore, as we pray, we remember that our prayers are not grounded on our eloquence but on the God who is faithful to hear us and act for our good. He heard the cry of Joseph and Jeremiah while they languished in prison. He hears our cries because they are grounded on a sure and present hope of a faithful God who does good for his people.