Jeremiah 14: 10 Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
In Jeremiah’s day there was a great falling away. Israel was a divided nation as the U.S. is today. The only way we can be united again is for everyone to compromise. The devil is no compromiser. God is no compromiser. There are only two masters: God in heaven and the master of darkness—the devil.
I can’t help but think of how many other evil entities are out there against us. They are tripling security in NYC for that marathon. Terrorist still manage to get through somehow. Even with that danger around, there is a greater danger from the destroyer of souls. It behooves us to get on track and focus on Jesus. Readiness is needed. Get serious. Be serious about it. Don’t let anything distract you.
It only took a few decades for Israel to get in the shape they were in during Jeremiah’s time. Solomon put away the strange gods but the people had brought them back. The devil will never stop trying to get people off the blood-stained path of Jesus Christ. We have to deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. He set the road, straight and narrow. It’s called the highway and the Bible says that neither stranger nor fool need ere in it. In the middle of all the evil is the path of salvation. Are we on it or have we taken a detour? I’ve noticed how many people drive when distracted. For the most part they are on their cell phones. Women hold them a certain way and men another. The truth is we have to watch. To keep from getting killed you have to stay in the right lane.
Israel was still going to the temple thinking it would stand forever. Yet they changed. That’s the buzz word even now. It’s God’s word too. Change must happen. You must be born again. Settle it now. God is right. He’s never wrong. He needs no changes. The gospel is complete. Jesus needs no help in saving souls. God is on the throne, not us. He did not have to apologize to Israel for wandering off. They wandered. Look at verse 13. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Anything under the sun passes for a church these days. Man can give us nothing but trouble. Only God gives peace when we let him change us. When we seek him first, everything else works out.
Most people in every generation have chosen not to follow Jesus. People have ended up in hell but God didn’t put them there. They walked there on their own. You can’t do what you want and get to heaven. You may not have a “deathbed.” Your death could be instant with no time to get things right. Never say “it will never happen to me.” Others have said that and it has happened. We must respect God. Be grateful. We must not get to the place that we take God for granted. In your private practice of being a Christian do you read the Bible and pray? Or do you do what you want. When we do that we put ourselves wide open for the wolves to tear us apart. Nothing will override your choice to follow or not follow God. You can blame no one but yourself if you stray. As purposed as the devil is, God is greater. In order to wander we must push ourselves in the direction of the devil.
The prodigal son went away and went down fast. None of us are all that far from the hog pen. When we fall we should say “Lord, help me to get up.” Don’t wander from his truth and what he’s saved you to be. It’s your choice. When the prodigal was in the far country he couldn’t see his dad but he knew he was looking for him. He had wandered away but came back asking to be as a hired servant. You cannot follow Jesus and march to your own pace. Sheep follow the shepherd. When the dad saw his son he said his son that was lost had been found. He took the son back into the house. I’m glad the Father took him there.
God knows our heart and life. If we’ve wandered to any extent, it’s too far. If you’ve never been saved you can be. Romans 10:9 says That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. All sin can be forgiven if we trust the forgiver of our souls.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 