Jeremiah 4:1a “If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the Lord….
What I hear in these two verses of Jeremiah is yet one more invitation from the Lord for Judah to turn from her wicked ways, repent, and come home. The rest of the chapter outlines what will happen if they do not repent and return. It’s easy to stand on the outside and judge them for being fools for ignoring God’s invitation to return, but I’ve seen that play out in my own life too many times to judge.
Jeremiah 4:1b …“If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray….”
So why do we, when our precious Savior calls us once again to repent and return, why do we stay entrenched in our destructive behaviors? Do we enjoy them? Do we think that the invitation is not genuine? Are we too proud to admit our errors? Do we not feel we deserve the second chance? (We don’t, but who are we to argue with God?) There are as many reasons as there are sinners, yet God continues to issue the invitation to repent and return to Him.
Jeremiah 4:2a “…and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’….”
Lord, Thank You for Your compassion and love. Thank You that You continue to invite me to repent and return to You. Help me, no matter what my pigheaded reasons, to swallow my pride and admit my deep need for You. Help me back Home. Amen.
Jeremiah 4:2b “…then the nations will invoke blessings by him and in him they will boast.”
Have a blessed day.