Discipline is hard and punishment feels terrible…but Jeremiah reminds us that since it is God who metes out these things, there is hope. Hope because of Gods character, who He is and the reason for it. His intentions are to draw us into right thinking and obedience…not because He likes order, but because we can flourish within the boundaries He created.
Gods instructions are clear and He uses all of scripture to tell us how to live a life of flourishing. Yet it was easy for the Israelites and even for us to respond with, but that doesn’t mean me…I can still do what I want. Destruction and chaos are what comes when we are going our own way.
How incredible is the fact the God sees us, knows us, cares for us and even loves us?!? It may be easier to think this at times when we are near to God, but Jeremiah is saying this prayer while they are struggling/rejecting God. They are far from Him, yet are intimately seen.
Lord, bring my heart close to You. Remind me of how clearly You see me. Don’t let my self centered thoughts be convincing that You are not near…let me feel Your presence and know Your care for me. Help me trust You and nothing else!
God has given us clear instructions on how to live a life of flourishing. Yet we so often ignore His Word, and do whatever we think is best…many times doing the exact opposite of His instructions. Why do we insist on this rebellion? Lord, strengthen my resolve to be surrendered to You!
Just like the Proverbs, we see that wisdom is something we can boast about…but only if it is knowing God! This is more than a brain level awareness, it requires transformation of our actions!!!
Jeremiah is a challenging book to read if you are looking to know God more accurately. It is much easier to learn about Him from what he is rejecting in this book…that is what we see here, a list of all the ways His people have pursued other gods. You get the sense that they were doing the right things, but directing it at the wrong thing…God desires that we pursue Him. Lord, help me to seek You in every moment of every day!
