Day 220.
They know no bounds in deeds of evil;
they judge not with justice
the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper,
and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
Shall I not punish them for these things?
declares the Lord,
and shall I not avenge myself
on a nation such as this?”
An appalling and horrible thing
has happened in the land:
the prophets prophesy falsely,
and the priests rule at their direction;
my people love to have it so,
but what will you do when the end comes? (Jeremiah 5:28-31 ESV)
Our sinful condition is so sad. It is hard to read the judgments that are coming upon Israel. The prophets explain well how just God’s judgment is. And yet, the things that Israel has done, or not done, to incur God’s wrath are no different than the ways of the world today. As I think how things can change it makes me long for Jesus to return. What are we to do in the mean time? How are we to live in such a world? The cultural norm of looking out for yourself and ignoring the needs around you is a heavy, heavy influence. We never feel like we have enough to do the things we want (and feel like we need) to do. Living now in a manner that reflects justice when it goes against the tide of culture is no easy thing…
Lord, will you give us the will and the strength to live righteously before you, as salt and light in our decaying and dark world? Will you fill us up with your Holy Spirit?
