Jeremiah 3-4

August 12

Jeremiah 3-4

"“I myself said, “‘How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me." (Jeremiah 3:19, NIV)

God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, led her across the desert providing food and water in a barren land, He took her across the Jordan River into the land He had promised Abraham. He removed the other nations as Israel took possession of the land. He promised to contine to bless her as long as she remained faithful to him. But as they watched the other nations, they began to adopt their customs and their ceremonies. They worpshiped idols made of wood and stone instead of following the living God who had blessed them. But God did not give up on them, He continued to call them back to himself.

"“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God." (Jeremiah 3:22, NIV) But they did not come to Him. They continued their rebellious attitudes and actions. God ended up removing them from the land leaving only a remnant, but God continued to wait on Israel to turn back to Him so He could bless her.

God has given us deliverance from our slavery to sin and death. Jesus came and died for the forgiveness of our sin. No matter where we have been, no matter what we have done, God has provided deliverance, if we will accept the gift of eternal life through a relationship with Jesus. Though we are all sinners, though we have all gone our own way, God continues to call us to come to Him and He will heal us and cure us of our rebellious attitudes.

God is broken hearted when we turn away from Him, but He continues to call and to wait. He wants to bless us, but He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to follow Him. He has a cure for all that ails us, if only we will trust Him.