LEARNING DAILY

 

Jeremiah 4:4, “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.”

 

Romans 2:29, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

 

The prophets of the Old Testament continually warned the Jewish people that God was angry (and that is not a strong enough word) with them because they were worshipping foreign gods and living ungodly lives.  Read the verses in Jeremiah 4 and see that He called the people out in specific things they were doing.  Carefully reread Jeremiah 4:4. Notice God told them He desired them to have a change of heart.  

 

God gives plenty of warning to His people before He brings judgment.  It is His desire that all men and women would come to Him with a repentant heart.  He delays judgment until there is nothing else to do.  “To avoid the terrible calamity coming upon them, the people of Judah had to undergo a complete moral renewal by committing themselves to truth, justice, and righteousness.  They must be open to conviction of the Spirit, repent of their sins and breakup the hardened soil of their heart (v.3)” (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). 

 

Do I need to remind you just how far the people of Judah had moved away from following the Lord?  Even with the detestable things Judah was doing, God’s desire for them was to repent.  This is the same God who is now warning the people of this nation and this world to return to following Him.  His outstretched arms are calling us to repent of the terrible things being done in our country.  Romans 2:29 is clear that a change of heart is needed.  “This is God’s work of grace in the hearts of believers whereby they participate in the divine nature and become capable of living a pure life separated from sin for the glory of God.  Thus, the holy living becomes the outward sign that we are under the new covenant” (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). 

 

I know I keep going back to this them; I just cannot seem to get away from it.  Be encouraged to be strong in your walk with Jesus Christ.  Remember Jesus’ teaching regarding the “narrow way” to eternal life is a daily walk.  Do not let the events we are seeing discourage you in any way; do not allow your hearts to be hardened in any way.  Our Father in heaven sees all and knows what is happening today.  Just like in Jeremiah’s day, our Father is extending His hand calling for repentance.  Is there a day when it is too late?  I don’t know!  I do know that judgment is coming to this land because of the terrible ungodliness of the people.  Place yourself in the care of the Heavenly Father today.  Pray for those in your family who need to do so.  I pray for you to have a “hunger and thirst for righteousness and to seek first the kingdom of God” this day.

 

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