Hi everyone,
Wanted to share a devotional with you on Jeremiah 16:10-13 – I’ve Done Wrong?
10 “When you tell these people all this and they ask you, ‘Why has the Lord decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the Lord our God?’ 11 then say to them, ‘It is because your ancestors forsook me,’ declares the Lord, ‘and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook me and did not keep my law. 12 But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me. 13 So I will throw you out of this land into a land neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’
Even when the people of Israel have fallen away, even when God has told them of the imminent judgement, they say, “What have we done wrong?” I think that’s one of the most unfortunate state to be in when you are drowning in sin without even knowing it. It shows how rebellious humanity can be when they do what they think is right in their own eyes. We see clearly here that this is certainly the case for Israel. It’s a pitiful state to be in. How far they have strayed away from God. Even at God’s rebuke, they wouldn’t listen and disregarded the words of God.
I pray that we will never live in a state where we disregard the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, there is obviously something wrong. God is revealing those sins in our lives to refine and grow us so that we can become more like Him. In order to do that, we need to put on humility and listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. God loves us and that’s why He speaks to us. No rebuke is ever easy to take in, but we know with certainty, that it will be good for us. May we listen to Him instead of being in denial and rebellious by talking back to God saying, “I’ve done wrong?” Instead, let’s listen and obey the words of God which ultimately leads to life. Let’s admit our faults and repent. Let’s learn from the history of Israel so we do not repeat their mistakes. May the Lord continue to be gracious to us.
Blessings,
Kelsey