Day 212

I am back from my sabbatical month (thank you), and the reading this morning is a passage with great relevance to our day (really to any day). Jeremiah 6 speaks of disaster coming for Jerusalem because of their continued rebellion, idolatry, and oppression. The people have neglected the word of the Lord. Listen to these words from chapter 6:

13 “For from the least to the greatest of them,

everyone is greedy for unjust gain;

and from prophet to priest,

everyone deals falsely.

14 They have healed the wound of my people lightly,

saying, ‘Peace, peace,’

when there is no peace.

15 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?

No, they were not at all ashamed;

they did not know how to blush.

Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;

at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,”

says the Lord.

16 Thus says the Lord:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

The description of the people is not flattering: greedy, dealing falsely, false prophets proclaiming a false peace, and unashamedness to their abominations and rebellion. This is within the people of God - within those called to be in covenant with him.

And yet the Lord throws them a lifeline. He calls them to go back to the good way. He calls them to go back to the way of God and walk there and find rest. But yet they continued to refuse.

This makes me consider the church today, our church, and my own heart. Where am I (you) walking in rebellion? Where do I (you) need to repent? The call from our gracious God is to turn back to him, walk in his ways, and find rest there. There is no rest for the soul in rebellion. But there is great peace, power, and joy in the soul that repents and seeks refuge in the Lord.