Going Backwards
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me hear Your very heartbeat and move in step with You. I don’t want to offer meaningless sacrifice.
Read Jeremiah 7:21-29
[21] “‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! [22] For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, [23] but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. [24] But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. [25] From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. [26] But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors.’ [27] “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. [28] Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips. [29] “‘Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is at the heart of God's desire expressed here?From God’s point of view it couldn’t be simpler. He says to his children, “I love you and I know what is best for you! So just do what I say and all will go fine” (23)! But, like kids can tend to feel, we prefer to do things our way. Sure, keep up on going to church and giving in the collection (21,22), but the rest is mine. Actually God has the right to guide us, because he has delivered us from bondage (22) and made us his people. Without him we are just individual slaves. And it’s not that God has neglected his duty in bringing us up. “Day after day, again and again” (25) he has reminded us of how to live so that “it may go well” with us (23). But at the end of the day he will not force us to live the right way. If we insist on ignoring his correction and believing lies (28), he will leave us to walk the path we have chosen, even though it leads to disgrace and destruction.
Apply
Ask God if there are areas in which you are offering self-chosen sacrifices rather than giving God your obedience.
Closing prayer
Lord, help me come to You with a sincere heart. Help me to do what You say and not deceive myself when I don’t.
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