Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 7-9
One thing about our loving Father which I always appreciate – mentioned as we begin our reading for today is that He is always a God of second chances.
However what follows immediately is a second characteristic of God – honesty – always calls things the way they are! Is that why deceit is something that He particularly finds objectionable in His people? It’s something particularly painful to discover about myself!
God also points out that this stubbornness or rebellion has always been a characteristic of His people right from the beginning as far back in their history as when they came out of Egypt. I think that we have talked about the verse in Micah more than once – what God requires! Amongst the characteristics and mentioned first in the list or is it last because of importance? – to walk humbly before our God. If you asked me to make the list, I probably would have missed listing it! Because I am not aware of how quickly I drift towards doing things MY WAY!
God also mentions something particularly objectionable to Himself – the Israelites (& Judah!) “burning their sons and daughters in the fire!” I understand this because in Corinthians God is called the God of all compassions and I like this title of God! However I suddenly realize that the way I treat others, and in particular my own daughters, sometimes could be described as “burning them!” with my sharp tongue of criticism, particularly when I’m frustrated! (So I need to humble myself again?!) And then God’s sadness over the characteristic of our unwillingness to “turn around” when on a wrong course – because we either in ignorance or unwillingness –
“But My people do not know the requirements of the Lord.”
And He also sadly says:
“Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?”
– good question indeed!
Even their leaders have failed
“They dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious.”
What about me if given a position of leadership?
What man is wise enough to understand this?
Who has been instructed by the Lord and can explain it?
Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one
can cross?
Is this why Jeremiah is a weeping prophet, because there is no one wise enough to understand? So the Lord declares (!)
“Let no the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight.”
And I wonder to myself, are these the words I can hear Him softly whispering in my ear today? Have I even taken the time to be interested in the things that DELIGHT Him? What do I need to change in my life that these things may permeate my life and environment? Please help me, Lord!