The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Jeremiah had lots to lament over. The people didn’t listen. Certainly the leaders were prideful and woefully obstinate towards God. The things everyone held dear were destroyed. People of all ages were being killed and taken captive. NO matter how bad is got — Jeremiah knew what his only hope was in, that being in the Lord.
We being very flawed humans definitely get it wrong often if not daily. We sin, we make bad decisions and choices, we’re stubborn, selfish, and prone to reactive outbursts. We live in a ‘cursed’ world and atmosphere which is in continual decay and makes our lives difficult. Currently in this time most of the people do NOT call out to God nor give Him any mind. The religious Church heap even more burdens on the ‘faithful’ with their formulas and rituals (attendance, tithes, and events). Kinda like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day — but with it’s own rules twist. It all feels like ichabod. Ichabod means inglorious and is used to express regret for departed glory. Has the Spirit ‘left’? In many places I would say yes, for He actually is to reside in individuals not areas or buildings. The Spirit of God communes with us IF we let Him. If our spiritual leaders are void of the Spirit of God what do you think those sitting in the pews will experience?
Many times I feel like Jeremiah. I see my own depravity and weaknesses. I lament over my own shortcomings. I lament over my community’s and city’s lack of faithfulness to God. I lament over my country’s leaders who no longer want anything to do with a personal relationship with Jesus. Many often think God is a ‘mean God’ who just wants to punish people. When the fact is .. He warned us and even pleaded with us not to do certain things .. but we did them anyways. Because of our poor choices there are now consequences for our choices and bad decisions.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
These ‘wages’ are the consequences of our own bad behaviors and bad decisions. But.. there is a way out for those that ‘know’ Him.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Confession is a very courageous act. We have to go against our fleshly nature and drag it all out before Him and admit we were wrong. Then we are willing to take the consequences for our actions and words if He will only forgive us. (Parable of the prodigal son) Pride just gets us into more trouble. Too many of our leaders are FILLED with pride (and we ourselves).
And James takes this courageousness to the next level.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16
Real spiritual maturity has this humility, gratefulness, AND confession in it.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for providing a ‘way out’ for us … of these shackles we so eagerly accepted from your enemy. Holy Spirit forgive us for not listening to you, please continue to show us your path. Please fill us again with your love. Help us to see how detrimental our own pride is.