SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 5
NO ONE IS UPRIGHT (vs. 1-31)
God is looking for an upright man to spare Jerusalem but he could not find one. Even the great men or spiritual leaders in the city were unrighteous. They had stubborn and rebellious hearts who refused to repent. Their children had forsaken God and worship other gods. They lied and committed adultery and thronged to the house of prostitute. Therefore, God will bring a distant nation of different language to come. They will devour their harvest and food, their sons and daughters, their flocks and herds, their vines and fig trees. They will destroy the fortified cities with the sword. God told Jeremiah to tell them: “As you have forsaken me and served false god in your own land, so now you will serve foreign in a land not your own.” (v. 19). Because they had turned aside with wrongdoing, they will be deprived of any good things. They have stubborn and rebellious hearts that have turned aside and gone away from God. They did not appreciate rains in autumn and spring nor the regular weekly harvest. (v.24) Instead, they were wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and set traps to catch men. (v. 26). Their houses were full of deceit. They had been rich and powerful with the evil deeds beyond limit. They did not plead the case of the fatherless nor defend the rights of the poor. (vs. 27-289). Even the prophets prophesized lies and the priest ruled by their own authority.
THOUGHTS:
God is willing to spare the city if there is one man who is just and honest. How is your testimony in your city and community? Can you represent in your city as the only witness for God among the people? Are you righteous and faithful to Him and His Word?
The eyes of the spiritual leaders were blind to God for they did not see the judgment of God. How about you? Can you anticipate the forthcoming judgment during the second coming of Christ?
God wants you to be honest and speak the truth. He does not like hypocrisy, lying or pretense. So, when you sing, pray, speak or serve him, be sure that your lifestyle is acceptable to Him.
When Jeremiah spoke to Israel and Judah, they were deaf and refused to listen. So they had to reap the consequences of their disobedience. When God speaks to you through His Word, are you willing to listen?
Judah and Israel had received bountiful blessings from God with plentiful harvest. But due to their disobedience, God had to strip away all the benefits they had been enjoying. Do you want God to remove your cherished resources ? Or do you want to commit to Him now?