Take a Warning or Die a Fool…
Jeremiah 6:8, 10, 15-16, 20 NIV
“Take warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it.” To whom can I speak and give a warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.”
“Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.”
“What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.”
Maybe it’s shame, pride, fear, whatever it is keeping you from God; just know that it is not of God. The Lord loves you so much, even when you don’t feel it, see it in your life, or believe it. He loves those who love him and don’t. Don’t abandon God when he never left you. Don’t push him to turn his face away because He is always forgiving, but don’t be stubborn till it’s too late. Facing serious judgment and punishment, each day, each breath is a chance to turn to Jesus. Take warning, heed instruction, and be accountable. This requires humility. You don’t know it all, and you never will. You aren’t God, and you can’t do it on your own. Surrender to God, accept his everlasting love, and repent. The temporary pursuits and pleasures of the world and the routines will only get you so far. Far, but not fulfilled.
You don’t need to have it all perfect to come to God; you can be messy, broken, insecure, and even angry with him. But once you actually take the time to have an intimate relationship with Him, try praying daily, setting a quiet time alone with God. Pour your heart out about anything, tell him how you feel, things you want to see change, ask for discernment and guidance in decision making, and tune your heart and ears to hear his voice. This will take practice and discipline. Nobody is perfect on the first go, and you’ll feel silly talking out loud for some time, and hearing silence. God already knows you, but longs to hear from you. He’s in your past, present, and future. He wants you to rest and give the burdens to him. The Lord loves you and enjoys one-on-one time with you, but he also made you for community, fellowship among you and others, tell others gently what you learnt from reading his word, encourage others to do it with you, correct others in their own call for repentance, and spread his love through the gift of life through Jesus.
Let us pray,
Never, Lord, do I want to be hardened like bronze that I cannot receive wisdom from you or even through those you put around me. Never, I want to be so stubborn that my foolishness leads me away from you or danger, because I was so stubborn that I didn’t realize it. Remove us from any pride and help us to reflect whilst being accountable for the ways we carry ourselves that aren’t pleasing to you. Never do I want to deny you, reject you, abandon you, or abuse the things you bless us with. Help us always delight in you and your word, taking time each day to get to know you intimately. Help us not to think we have to be perfect because we’re not. Lord, help us to surrender all ourselves to you, and not empty offerings, fastings, and sacrifices. In everything we do, let it be true and proper worship, may we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to you, as we take up our crosses and teach us to deny our flesh daily to make more room for your spirit. Thank you, Holy Spirit, thank you, Jesus. It is in your mighty name we pray, amen.
Reflection Questions
- In these verses, what offends God? Have you behaved in the ways of the people of Jerusalem? If so, what are the things you can work on to be receptive to God’s teachings?
- How does God’s call to repentance in verse 16 contrast with the people’s complacency and their false worship teach you about the heart posture?