Jeremiah 5:7 (NIV)
“
Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet the committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes……..Should I not punish them for this?” declares the Lord.
…Wow, what a
holy ghost slap down. This description of the wickedness by the people of Judah and Jerusalem angered
God because these people bowed down to worthless idols, refused to repent, and return to
Him. The
Lord challenged anyone to find one righteous person in Israel, but there were none.
God was angry with the priest, prophets, and kings as well. All throughout the book, Jeremiah describes the disgrace of a nation and the anger of
God.
This word is so prevalent to our nation and the
body of Christ today.
God asked Israel what
He did to cause their fathers to stray from
Him. Funny thing is....
He asked me the question. It broke my heart to hear this, because
I had been so stubborn towards God several months too long; mouth closed towards him; angry with
Him because of the decision I made to put
idols before Him. I traded in the reverence of
God in my life for corruption and filth.
God spoke to me,
“Although you wash yourself with soda and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me” Jer 2: 22.
God sent Jeremiah to deliver a warning to
His people; People who were like prostitutes, adulterers towards
Him
and their spouses; foolish in their own minds thinking they were
righteous and without sin against Him; false prophets and priest who
abused their authority, not being led by the spirit but by the politics
of positions
God favored them to have; had eyes, but choose not to see and ears but, did not hear;
the word of the Lord was offensive, with no pleasure in it.
God
said that since they choose to serve foreign gods in their land, he was
sending a foreign nation to destroy them and serve in a foreign land.
For months I was dead, unable to hear from
God, no desire to seek
Him, only idle, and isolated.
Although I strayed, God remained. He continued to extend
His hand of mercy towards me but,
I would spit in His face and slap His hand away. Just like in
Jer. 2: 35 I would say, “I am innocent,
He is not angry with me, and I have not sinned”. The only time I turned to talk to
God was when I wanted something and after that I turned my back again.
He continued to say
“if you would only return to Me….I will not be angry forever, Only acknowledge your guilt-…” Jer. 3:12-13.
In the depths of my spirit, I hated being in this season. Pressing day by day, I wrestled sit at
His feet. I desired restoration but, wanted it to be sincere. Of course, plans became detoured and my purpose in life unsure. With the little desire I had left, I pulled away for people and responsibilities because I knew I was not in right standing with
God. Slowly, but surely, I was slipping into depression and didn't even know it.
Through this season,
God continued to pierce my heart with
His words, until one day I finally
surrendered. I had enough. I was ready to
repent with a sincere, godly sorrow that overwhelmed my being. I asked someone to pray with me. But it wasn't just anyone. She has that direct line to
Christ. Not a game at all. She told me to
confess and repent, while she interceded on my behalf. It was humiliating to speak the disgrace that was coming out of my mouth... but then
God spoke. Instantly I was
prostrate before me and He lifted every burden. My soul had peace, my spirit restored, my desire back, and
His mercy upon me.
God started speaking through this lady to me. My purpose assured, I had a task ahead of me that required obedience, transparency, prayer, and meditating on the word of God.
What's so funny is God confirmed everything that lady spoke earlier, that same evening during my quiet time in
Jer. 31:22-35.
" How long will you wander o unfaithful daughter?...This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel.......I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people......For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." When I asked God to show me what to blog today....... He lead me to
Jer. 5:7... Very humorous our God.
#transparency
The book of Jeremiah was my warning and it speaks to the
body of Christ today.
God said that
He would cure us of our backsliding if we would just
admit our faults and turn to Him. But we live in a society where everything is expectable; holiness is not right, it’s played out; instead of power in prayer, you choose power in position; no reverence to
God; attention whores; indulged with things, some hidden and others boastful in immoral, filthy pleasures.
The good news is that
God has sent us a fair warning and extended
His hand of mercy to us.
He loves us and has only His best for us.
He has all power to deliver and save. Just imagine, a few words, a single
surrender to Christ, has the power to alter the direction of your life and your soul. We cannot carry our burdens alone. I encourage you to read the book of Jeremiah. This warning, in one aspect or another may be for you.
Stop slapping away the hand of God, spitting in His face with your lifestyle full of wickedness and idols. We are not righteous by our own means; but, it is
God who puts His righteousness in us, that we may live holy and free.
Only by His grace and mercy………..
My lovely
thrifted spring outfit was
gifted and
thrifted my sister
Jasmin in Texas. My earrings, belt, and necklace are
thrifted. The shoes are from
www.shoedazzle.com and other accessories are from retail stores.
-Sheika, Team TT
