Staying Close To God
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 13 and Psalm 17 (NIV)
(Jabez Fong, Student, Trinity Theological College)
READ:
Jeremiah 13 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
God gives Jeremiah a set of puzzling yet specific commands in Jeremiah 13:1-7 to buy a loincloth, bind it around his waist, and then to later put it in the cleft of a rock by the Euphrates. Much later, God commands him to retrieve the same cloth, and to no one’s surprise, it is spoiled and good for nothing.
God explains in Jeremiah 13:8-11 that the loincloth is a symbol. In the same way that the loincloth was fine when tied close to Jeremiah, Judah was also fine when they clung on to God. Conversely, when they abandoned God to pursue other gods, they like the loincloth ended up being spoiled and good for nothing.
This unfaithfulness leads to the judgement of God that is sent upon them (Jeremiah 13:12-14).
Verses 15-17 call the people to listen to God, repent of their sin and give him the glory.
APPLY:
Judgement oracles are terrifying, since we see the judgement and wrath of God threatened upon his unfaithful people who have failed to recognise him and submit to him. Alarming as it might be the chapter vividly portrays the dire consequences of sinning against God.
How can I avoid the same outcome that the people of Judah had to endure for their faithlessness? The answer is implicit in the symbol that God gave to Jeremiah – staying close to God, and not be separate from him. Doing so will preserve me from being good for nothing and spoiled. I can also learn from verses 15-17 to give glory to God, and to listen to him when he speaks to me. I should also live in humble submission to God’s will in my life.
DO:
Stay close to God in tangible ways, such as reading Scripture which is the word of God, taking the time to meditate and reflect on its teachings, and apply it to my life. Additionally, I should stay close to faithful friends in community who will sound the warning bells when they sense I am not close to God, so that I can humbly seek Him.
PRAY:
Lord of mercy and grace, thank you for your word of warning to me which reminds me that apart from you I can do nothing good. I ask for forgiveness for the times when I have foolishly and pridefully walked away from you. Help me to cling tightly to you and to grow deeper in you as I seek you with all my heart. Amen.
