Two-minute read.
They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’
Jeremiah 5:24
Jeremiah chapter five investigates Jerusalem’s morals, diving into the ingrained sin of the nation, which leads to the revelation of the low spiritual state of the people. Instead of heeding the Lord’s gracious calls to repent, the country refused to submit to God’s sovereignty. And just like that, Jeremiah reveals the same struggle we have today. Staying surface doesn’t dig into the depths of our hearts to reveal the ingrained sin we all have.
Picking up our crosses means we must die to our selfish desires—and we all have selfish desires. A friend called me a Pharisee yesterday because I questioned his heart’s motivation. As I said to him, we are all sinners needing grace.
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Prov. 12:1
Fearing the Lord means acknowledging His sovereignty and our sins. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior begins a journey into the depths of our soul, revealing the darkness within and exposing it to God’s light. Looking at the good, bad, and ugly in our lives takes work and doesn’t happen quickly, but it does transform us.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for searching our hearts, revealing our iniquities, and recognizing our need for Jesus. Please help us keep our eyes focused on You, giving us the strength we need to deny ourselves and pick up our crosses. Let us experience a regular harvest of love, joy, and peace as we submit to You.
IJNIP. Amen
