God used Jeremiah to confront Israel about its idolatry and unfaithfulness. The book prophecies destruction and judgment for 52 chapters. At one point, God reminds Israel of its own addictions, that the people are not faithful to God, but continue to be seduced by every new stranger or idol that comes along. God argues that He is Israel’s husband, but Israel is an adulterous wife, addicted to pursuing every new man that comes along:
“But you say, ‘It’s hopeless; I love strangers, and I will continue to follow them.’” Jeremiah 2:25.
Can you relate to that kind of addiction? It can leave you powerless—and it shames you, as the next verse explains, “so the House of Israel has been PUT TO SHAME” v.26. But God understands—He knows it is hopeless. God knows Israel is an evil, faithless wife that can’t stop cheating on God even after all He has done for His chosen people.
“As a woman may betray her lover, so you have betrayed Me, house of Israel” 3:20.
But God offers a solution. He is still the Rescuer. God is still ABLE.
“Return, you faithless children. I WILL HEAL YOUR UNFAITHFULNESS” 3:22.
God is the answer. That’s right—the very same God that we betray, the One to Whom we seem incapable of remaining loyal—He is the One Who can HEAL YOUR SIN. Jesus is the answer to your sinful choices and raging addictions. You can’t fix yourself by yourself. Take it to Jesus. Give Him the sinful thing that shames you the most. Because He is the only one who can HEAL your unfaithfulness.
Dear God, we confess our sin, we repent of doing our own thing, and thinking we can be holy on our own. We need you. We need your forgiveness, and we need your power. Help us love you and hate evil. Give us the power to say no, and to rely on Your strength not our own. Help us to DESIRE holiness, to “Be holy, as You are holy.”
ΑΩ
Household Words: 