Today’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 2:23 through Jeremiah 5:19
How does the Lord put up with human beings?
Today’s scriptures made me so sad. It’s no wonder Jeremiah is called the “weeping prophet;” the message he had to deliver would have made a strong man cry!
Friends, we serve a merciful God. Israel and Judah were living under the law and God still reached down over and over to save them.
They had no idea the lengths that their Heavenly Father would travel to redeem them—they didn’t know about Jesus!
They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me, ‘Come and save us!’ –Jeremiah 2:27
Do you have a wayward child, spouse, family member, or friend?
A person who is literally sucking the life out of you because of their destructive lifestyle?
You love them so much. You pray for them, encourage them, and prop them up emotionally, financially, and sometimes physically. You’ve lost sleep, your appetite, and your joy because of their “issues.”
Your Heavenly Father understands.
In today’s reading he pours out his heart to his people through Jeremiah.
- You are like a restless female camel desperately search for a mate (2:23)
- You are like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind at mating time (2:24)
- Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught (2:26)
- I will not be angry with you forever. Only acknowledge your guilt (3:12-13)
- Return home you wayward children (3:14)
- My wayward children, come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts (3:22)
- Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns (4:3)
- O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power (4:4)
- Your own actions have brought this upon you. This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart (4:18)
- My people are foolish and do not know me (4:22)
- They are stupid children who have no understanding (4:22)
- They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right (4:22)
Does this sound like a father who loves his children so much but is just about at his limit?
But aren’t we all like these wayward children, we turn our backs on God when everything’s going well but run to him in times of trouble and cry out “Help Lord, come and rescue me—NOW!!!!”
It breaks our Heavenly Father’s heart!
God is just like us or I guess I should say we are just like Him. He wants a relationship with the people he loves. He doesn’t was us to call on Him, just when we need something.
He wants us to need to be with Him.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for using you as our emergency god. We want to be children who bring you great pleasure.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 5:20 – 6:30; 2 Kings 22:3-20; 2 Chronicles 34:8-28
Open our eyes Lord, may we see you!