The Heart of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 4

The Lord gave the command to Judah to break up their fallow ground, to circumcise their hearts to the Lord, and to return to the Lord.  Yet they didn’t listen, and so the Lord sent judgment.

:: V.10 Jeremiah questioned the Lord about the deceitfulness of promising peace, and then sending the sword against His people.  While the Lord has given us promises in His Word, I still have a free will.  If I choose to go my own way, the promises do not apply and the Lord is “forced” by my actions to send chastisement in order to bring me back in line.

:: V.19 Jeremiah was deeply affected by the news of what would happen to His countrymen.  He couldn’t hold his peace because he saw the war and heard the warning, and he wanted everyone to hear it.  I know the judgment that is coming on the wicked.  Am I sounding the warning and sharing the way of salvation?

:: V. 22 – how sad, and may it not be said of me: “My people…have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”

A World We Never Touch

The lyrics from this song have been stuck in my head lately.  They have caused me to contemplate what I am doing to touch the world around me with the love of Jesus.

He walked along the shores of Galilee.
From clay he formed the healing balm that caused the blind to see.
When stones of wrath weighed heavy in their hand,
He knelt to write His mercy in the sand.
Jesus came to set the captives free;
showed us by the way He lived, the way we need to be.
Our love is more than words could ever say -
We must touch them with compassion to help them find their way.

How can we reach a world we never touch?
How can we show them Christ if we never show them love?
Just to say we care will never be enough.
How can we reach a world we never touch?

Could we be so busy being saved?
Trying to impress a world, that’s long since lost its way?
We pride ourselves in being set apart,
Yet we don’t take time to touch a broken heart.
Even if we found the time to care,
would we take the risk involved in always being there?
While we hold the very thing they need so much –
Sometimes the Word of God can pass through just a simple touch.

How can we reach a world we never touch?
How can we show them Christ if we never show them love?
Just to say we care will never be enough.
How can we reach a world we never touch?

We hide behind these walls and the security of friends
While beyond the stained glass windows, the world is lost in sin.
How can we reach a world we never touch?
How can we show them Christ if we never show them love?
Just to say we care will never be enough.
How can we reach a world we never touch?

There is a particular person that always comes to mind when I hear this song. May you reach out and touch someone today.  As you let the love of Jesus be displayed through you, you can change someone’s life for eternity!