Jeremiah

So Lucas and I have started reading through Jeremiah together. Let me start this off by saying how incredible that is. I love that God has given me a man who not only cares so much about my spiritual well being that he is encouraging me to get in the Word daily, but also that he is wanting to go through a book of the bible with me. This is something I've always prayed God would give me in a husband and so I'm ellated that God has given me Lucas who possess that quality.

Okay, now back to my point... Jeremiah. Lucas is having me read a commentary as I go through it because by reading commentaries he said that is what made him love scripture so much. Well, now I know why. I think study bibles are good (those are all I have ever used) but there is so much more information in commentaries. I am blown away by the message behind Jeremiah and the hard things he presented to Judah. I think what blows me away the most, is how much of myself I see in Judah.

I won't go into the whole two chapters I read today, but I will share my most "gasp" moment where I was convicted. It was in Jeremiah 2:9-11 which says, "Therefore I will yet contend with you," declares the LORD, "And with your sons' sons I will contend. For cross to the coastlands of Kittim and see, and send to Kedar and observe closely and see if there has been such a thing as this! Has a nation changed gods when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit." That floored me! The evil and idolatrous nations around Israel were more faithful to their false gods than Israel was to the true God, Yahweh!

How many times is that true for me and the people around me? I think of school this past semester, or work situations. My friend Doug, who is a very strong atheist, is very unwavering. I have talked to him many times about my faith (and he is so wonderful to listen because I in turn listen to his point of view) but he is just that, unwavering in his disbelief.

I think about my situation right now. For those who don't know, I was laid off from WoodsEdge this past Thursday. In the midst of this, I waver trusting God for my future and his sovereign hand on my life and freaking out at the fact that I don't have a job and have bills that keep coming in.

That is where I get convicted. I know many people who are an "evil and idolatrous people" who are more faithful to their idols, obsessions and prized possessions than I am to God. Man oh man! Even retyping it out, I want to confess and repent over and over. Jesus help me! Help me to be faithful and unwavering if my faith and trust of You. Help me to not trade anything for Your glory and those things which do not profit!

I want to leave you with another convicting (funny) passage. In Jeremiah 2:32-33, Jeremiah is talking about how a bride does not forget her wedding dress or rings on her wedding day, and yet Judah so often forgets God. "Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number. How well you prepare your way to seek love! Therefore even the wicked women you have taught your ways." What kills me is verse 33 where Jeremiah says sarcastically to Judah that they have become so skilled in pursuing illict love that even the harlots/prostitutes (wicked women) can learn new secrets of seduction from them. That is not only hilarious to me but makes me wonder.

Anyway, I don't know if this has any relevance, but I didn't feel like writing down my thoughts so I typed them instead and you get the product of my scattered brain. Enjoy!