Without a blush: Jeremiah 6

Scripture:
  ¹⁵“Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done?
         They were not even ashamed at all;
         They did not even know how to blush.
         Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
         At the time that I punish them,
         They shall be cast down,” says the LORD.
    ¹⁶Thus says the LORD,
         ”Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
         Where the good way is, and walk in it;
         And you will find rest for your souls.
         But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Observation:  Israel faces impending destruction and once again God offers them a way out (vs. 16).  But their ears are closed (vs. 10), they hold on to a superficial peace (vs. 14), they have hardened themselves against the shame of their sins (vs. 15).  So much so, that nothing causes them to blush in embarrassment (vs. 15).

God invites Israel to walk in the ancient paths, a good way, where they will find true rest for their souls.  Israel’s response: “We will not walk in it.”

Application:  What a sad state of affairs.  The people Israel had forgotten how to blush.  Our society is no different.  One only needs to surf the channels of television today to see what two decades ago would have caused a grown man to blush.  It enters our world without a second thought.  Its impact on society has been devastating.

We reject the ancient paths of peace and rest that God offers.  While God’s judgment is imminent, Jesus’ offer continues:  ²⁸“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  ²⁹“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ³⁰“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Prayer:  Lord, help me to not forget how to blush.  Our society’s preoccupation with sex and violence disturbs me deeply.  Help me to be an agent that proclaims the offer of peace and rest that is offered in the cross of Christ.

Running on Empty: Jeremiah 2

Scripture:
    ¹²“Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
         And shudder, be very desolate,” declares the LORD.
    ¹³“For My people have committed two evils:
         They have forsaken Me,
         The fountain of living waters,
         To hew for themselves cisterns,
         Broken cisterns
         That can hold no water.

Observation:  Israel’s transgressions can be summed in two words:  abandonment and self-gratification.  They have completely forsaken the God who delivered them from Egypt, the God who made a covenant to completely take care of them provided they would love, follow and seek Him with all their heart, soul, strength and mind (Deuteronomy 6).

They have also sought to find satisfaction for their souls in everything but God.  They have constructed systems and pursued pleasures that can’t hold water, so to speak.  Their idolatry and the pleasures they pursue will run out of their souls like water out of a cracked cistern or well.  They “walked after emptiness and became empty.” (verse 5)

Cisterns were man-made collection points for rain water, but if their walls were not made of impervious clay, or if the rock wall was cracked, the life-giving water would simply drain out of them.  There would be nothing to satisfy the peoples thirst.

Jeremiah says their efforts to avoid God and persue their own pleasures would lead to natural consequences they would come to regret (verse 19).  The people would be put to shame (26, 36).

Application:  How often do I pursue things that suck the life out of me, that cause me to run on empty?  Jesus promised to all those who would come to Him, the abundant life.  He does not promise a physical prosperity, but He offers a spiritual prosperity that cannot run dry.

Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

What am I pursuing that is filled with nothing but emptiness?  Is it fame, a bigger home, fancier cars, job promotions?  Am I ready to forsake that pursuit and turn to the living God who is the only One who can satisfy the soul?

Prayer:  Lord, forgive me for pursuing status and recognition.  None of that means anything to me.  All I want is You.

Pierced for Our Transgressions

“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.  All of us like sheep have been led astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”
Isaiah 53:4-6

We were watching a part of the recent TV series on the life of Jesus.  When the crucifixion began, my son’s natural instinct was to change the channel.  It was too much to bear.  The reality of the suffering and pain made it difficult to watch.  Could someone have endured such pain and humiliation for me?  Could someone have made such a sacrifice on my behalf?

Spiritual Streakers

“‘Your nakedness will be uncovered, your shame will also be exposed; I will take vengeance and will not spare a man.’  Our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 47:3-4

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you find yourself at school or work in your pajamas or worse yet, with no clothes on?  My experience has been to wake up with a start and in a cold sweat.  Even in my dreams it is downright embarrassing.