(This post is the next in a series of posts containing my first blush reactions to passages I come across in the reading of Scripture. I am currently going straight through the book of Jeremiah and will be sharing with you which verses the Spirit causes to jump out at me and the unrevised, unpolished feelings which they invoke.)
“Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.” (9.5)
It sometimes surprises me the things I lie about. And it seems so natural, so little guilt associated with it. God, I pray that my heart would be broken over the slightest alteration of truth. Make me to desire truth above any false gain.
“Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.” (9.6)
How much harder do I make things on myself by constantly turning to my weaknesses instead of the strength of the almighty God? My pride leads me into avenues which harm both my witness and my communion with God.
“With his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.” (9.8b)
God isn’t looking for us to pay lip-service to each other. This is not love. How closely does this action mirror my own worship sometimes.
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.’” (9.23-24)
How often do I boast in the perfect attributes of God? Or am I timid to speak of the wonderful things which God has revealed to me? Timidity is not of God (2 Timothy 1.7). Let me praise him aloud before men, even if they declare me a fool and disrespect my name. Because it’s not about my name, but his that I serve.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh.” (9.25)
It doesn’t matter if your a good person. God doesn’t care about the flesh because all flesh is corrupt and contemptible. Therefore, it is in mercy that God will look at our hearts which are circumcised with Christ (Colossians 2.11), by the Spirit that our hearts are softened (Ezekiel 11.19, 36.26). If our trust is in the works of the flesh then we are doomed, but if our faith be in Christ who died for us then we shall gain eternal life.
“Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.” (10.14-15)
It is so true, that final line, that the moment of punishment is the death of idols. This is even so in trials. How often do we see people, ourselves, running back to God when things go wrong? When it’s smooth we glory in our handiwork, in our material idols and self-gratifying pleasures. But as soon as things get tough we condemn our idols and appeal to God for relief. God, I pray that I wouldn’t waste my time constructing vain statues to my own sin! Let every work of my hands be glorifying to you!
“But I said, ‘Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it.’” (10.19b)
It is my propensity to flee from afflictions, to seek refuge as soon as hard times arise. But Jeremiah’s soul is calm, his heart is determined, that he must bear this pain. It is the same thing I see in Hebrews 13.13; willingly we should take on a portion of the suffering which Christ bore himself on our behalf. The Gospel has always been spread by the blood of believers (Acts 8.1-4), and though I pray against death, I know that whatever harms come they will serve Christ better than my arrogance in good health and spirits. God’s power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12.9). Make me submissive to this understanding.
