Through The Bible in a Year - April 17, 2026

“I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband.” – Jeremiah 31:32

God says: “I took you by the hand and led you out of slavery. I led you to the Promised Land. Yet, you broke relationship with Me.”

Sometimes we read words in the Bible that seem like arid or abstract spiritual concepts. But listen to real and intense pain coming from God’s heart: “I took you by the hand... and you broke my covenant, though I was your husband.”

A father tells this story: When his son was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, they were trying to understand a chronic illness that couldn’t be cured. One day, as his son writhed in pain and agony, the father sat on his child’s bed and began to pat him on the back to bring comfort.

For the first time ever, in the frustration of his disease and pain, the son slapped  away his father’s hand.

“As a father, it hurts me to tell you that father’s story. I tell it because of way the son then responded: the slap hurt the son,too. He couldn’t believe he’d done it to the one who so loved him. He never did it again. The pain experienced by both father and child, when a father’s hand was rejected, deeply affected them both.”

If there’s something worse than rejecting the hand of a fatherwho loves you, it’s this: God says to the children of Israel (that he elsewhere collectively addresses as “my bride”) “That’s not only what you did. You broke my covenant, though I was your husband. I dedicated myself to you unconditionally. I loved you. I gave myself for you. And you betrayed me. You gave your devotion to an idol that could never do anything for you.”

We need to feel the degree of that pain, too. But here’s the wonder: Despite the rejection, despite the betrayal, God says to his people, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. ThereforeI have maintained my faithfulness to you.”

Respond: Whose hand have you slapped away? When has God reached out to comfort you and you rejected Him? When have you betrayed the covenant relationship He offers? Today, know this: He hasn’t stopped reaching. His hand is still there. Take it. Acknowledge in faith and repentance your need of Him. He will never leave or forsake you. He will never slap your hand away.

Prayer: Lord, I’ve slapped Your hand away. I’ve rejected Your comfort. I’ve betrayed Your love. You dedicated Yourself to me, and I turned to other things. Forgive me. Thank You that despite my rejection, You still love me with an everlasting love. Your faithfulness continues. Help me take Your hand again. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.