DAY 225. O AGUST 13. OUR GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL TO THE END.
Our thoughts today come from Jeremiah chapter 50, verse 6. My people have been lost sheep,
their shepherds have led them astray, and caused them to roam on the mountains, they
wandered over mountain and hill, and forgot their own resting place.
Now the big picture surrounding this verse. Jeremiah has a lot to say on behalf of God
where the nation of Babylonia is concerned. It was a superpower of its day, and must have
seemed unconquerable to its enemies, especially the tiny nation of Judah. He concentrates
on the fall of his beloved Jerusalem for the whole of the last chapter of his book, and
it makes sad reading. The weeping prophet weeps right up to the end, but never denies
his God.
Now our action step for today. As Judah is led away into captivity, God must have known
that if his people had only obeyed him, then none of this suffering would have taken place.
Yet despite constant disappointments as his people let him down, God continues to use
them, and even us, in the twenty-first century, though we let him down repeatedly too. It
must break God's heart when he witnesses the repercussions and consequences of our constant
disobedience and tardiness. If I were in charge, I would have given up a long time ago, and
taken over the reins of power to make sure that things get done properly and at the right
time. As this colossal book of weeping memoirs comes to a close, it reminds us that God remains
faithful to an unfaithful people. The tribes of Israel and Judah were unfaithful, as many
of us are today. Have you let God down recently? Or should I say, how have you let God down
recently? Like Peter found when he let down Jesus right up to the point of denying that
he even knew him. We have a God who always gives us another chance when we truly repent
and turn to him. If you are in need of a fresh start today, then God is ready to give it
to you. All you have to do is say, Sorry, and ask.