Jeremiah 2

The more I read Jeremiah, the more I can identify with those Israelites. Before, I can stand and say, "how dare those Israelites do that to God". But now reading closely, I'm really not any better. It is indeed a pity that we were once betrothed to God, but we chose to play the harlot. It is quite foolish of us to choose the finite cistern instead of the infinte fountain (vs. 13). When we can find everlasting life in the fountain of living water, we chose the broken cistern that will not only run dry but will not refill itself and will certainly not bring us life but death. Why must we continue to dry out and wither? Why don't we return to the living water?

Humans are foolish in that we only remember God in our troubled times. After the troubles are terminated, we go back to living our sinful lives. It is so true in vs. 27 when it states, "For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, 'Arise and save us'". Isn't that so true? We will forsake God when we don't need Him, but call out to Him when we are in need. We must break this cycle of being 'backsliding children'. We must return to Him fully and remember Him daily and not only when we need Him. We must 'Return' to be His children. The relationship between a child and a Father is one that is intimate. It is one where communication is exercised daily. We must draw closer to our heavenly Father, because He wants to draw close to us. But "He who called [us] is holy, [we must] also be holy in all [our] conduct" (1 Peter 1:15).

God calls out to us only hoping that we admit our iniquities. He will only 'plead His case against us' if we say, 'I have not sinned' (vs. 35). But today, as we admit our wrongs and return to Him, He will await us with His abundant love and mercy that is sealed with an everlasting covenant. He says, "Return to Me..." Just what else are we waiting for?