Repent and Turn to God

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 1:4-19

 

Jeremiah 1:19

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

(ESV)

 

This week, the United States and the world saw the ugly side of frustration turned to anger.  While it is yet to be determined who was behind the breaching of the U.S. Capitol, it will most likely be determined that it was a group of individuals frustrated at the state of the world lashing out in anger.  While the media focus is on the few that breached the Capitol in anger, we must also focus on the thousands that had gathered to peacefully voice their frustrations without lashing out in anger.  God’s people must lead the way during these chaotic times by taking their frustrations to God in prayer and not lashing out in anger (Matthew 5:9). 

 

The heading for the passage in Jeremiah 1:4-19 in the English Standard Version (ESV) is “The Call of Jeremiah.”  While Scripture does not provide the age of Jeremiah, it does tell us he is young for Jeremiah uses this as an excuse for why he cannot be a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:4-6).  God’s response to Jeremiah’s excuse by reminding him that God will be with him and not to be afraid (Jeremiah 1:7-8).  God knows Jeremiah is experiencing feelings of fear similar to Moses at the burning bush and Joshua standing on the shores of the Jordan (Exodus 3:1-4:17; Joshua 1:9).  God then places His hand on Jeremiah’s mouth, reminding him that the words he will speak are not the words of an inexperienced youth but the words of God (Jeremiah 1:9-10). 

 

God then speaks to Jeremiah, giving him the vision of an almond branch (Jeremiah 1:11).  Many of those reading this, including the one writing it, may have never seen an almond branch and do not have any basis of interpretation as to what the almond branch symbolizes.  However, the Hebrew word for almond in the original text sounds like the Hebrew word for watching.  In Jeremiah 1:12, God reminds Jeremiah that He will watch over His word to perform it so God’s vision of an almond branch is a visual reminder to Jeremiah that God will watch over the words He gives to Jeremiah. 

 

God then gives Jeremiah a second vision of a boiling pot facing away from the north (Jeremiah 1:13).  God then tells Jeremiah about disaster coming upon the land from the north (Jeremiah 1:14-15).  This prophecy foretells the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon due to the forsaking of God by the people and their worship of other gods (Jeremiah 1:16; 2 Kings 24:10-17).  God had warned Israel of the consequences of forsaking God and worshipping other gods in Leviticus 26:14-46 so they have no excuse.  God’s word to Jeremiah is to dress for work, indicating carrying on as usual, speaking the words God has commanded him to speak (Jeremiah 1:17).  God ends his word to Jeremiah with a reminder God will make Jeremiah strong and fight for him so his enemies do not prevail against him (Jeremiah 1:18-19).    

 

While Jeremiah is a young man, fearing rejection due to his youth, there is an urgency for Jeremiah to speak out against the sin in the land for kingdoms from the north are about to invade the people of Judah and send them into exile.  Judah has become comfortable in their forsaking of God and the worship of other gods and oblivious to the threat coming from the north.  God is calling Jeremiah to speak God’s words to Judah, giving them an opportunity to repent and avoid the consequences of their sin.  Judah is experiencing great reformation under the leadership of Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-23:27), but their heart is still set on forsaking God by the worship of other gods.  However, God is gracious, giving Judah one more opportunity to change their hearts and turn back to God. 

 

God’s people in today’s world may not build altars to pagan gods and offer sacrifices on them but we can have things in our lives that take the place of God.  Therefore, we must ask ourselves the question, where do we turn when times get tough?  If it is not God, we have identified a god in our lives that takes the place of God.  While things like the government, education, career, and family can be good and are necessary, we must not place them in a position of god in our lives for they will disappoint us.  Our reaction when tough times come must be turning to God and pointing others to God during tough times. 

 

One’s initial turning to God happens when someone decides to make Jesus their savior by accepting his forgiveness from sin.  If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, I want to invite you to do that now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Congratulations to those who just prayed taking the initial step of turning to God.  I encourage you to now find a church and attend services, either in person or online, to learn the truths contained in the Bible.  As we learn these truths, God will reveal areas of our life that we need to turn over to Him so we can grow spiritually strong during these chaotic times.  I also encourage everyone to share this post with others so they too can experience the benefits of life turned over to God.  May God bless everyone reading this post.