ESOCS Devotional 22 July 2022
TEXT: JEREMIAH 7:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.” (Jeremiah 7:3 KJV)
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. There has to be a decision on our part where we amend our ways and do something differently. This is especially true with our faith. To see some change in our life, we have to amend our ways and start to follow God’s word.
The prophet Jeremiah was given the very difficult calling of God to warn Judah of the approaching, devastating judgment that would soon come on Judah and Jerusalem and their inhabitants, unless the people would hearken to His call to repent of their sin and iniquity. God pled with His people through Jeremiah (Jer. 3:12-14, 22).What a heart God had for His people! What more gracious offer could He make to His sinning people who rejected His commandments and worshiped other gods?
Again and again, God appealed earnestly through Jeremiah to His wayward people (Jer. 7:3, 5). But the leaders of the people continued on in their rebellious ways against the commandments of God. They rejected warning after warning from God through Jeremiah and other prophets throughout the reign of several kings until God could bear their sin no longer. In God’s time, judgment came as prophesied. Many of the people were carried away in captivity to Babylon. The cities of Judah became desolate. Jerusalem was burned.
Reading the story of Judah’s sad failure, doubtlessly makes many of us feel like echoing loudly Jeremiah’s cry in our nations today, “Amend your ways and your doings!” We feel deep concern as we see sin and iniquity abounding on every hand. Judgment seems impending. But knowing that the merciful heart of God is as great today as in Jeremiah’s day toward those who repent and do righteous deeds, we have hope and not despair (Rom. 5:20).
Revival in a nation begins with revival in the Church, and revival in the Church begins with you and me. It is not safe to assume that I have no ways or deeds to amend. Keeping a watchful eye on our ways and deeds and amending them where needed is essential if we are to pray effectively for revival. And oh, the importance of watchfulness and holiness in the light of Christ’s coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle, so clearly sets before us. What higher incentive could there be than to be ready to meet our beloved Lord Jesus Christ who is coming for a glorious Church. (Ephesians 5:25-27).
- We can avoid much of the “doom” in our lives by just being obedient
- Father, bring me back to your path and help me to walk in them diligently
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: I Kings 8:22–30; John 13:21–38; 14:2–31
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ESOCS Devotional 22 July 2022
