I, The Lord, Have Spoken

Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos

In Jeremiah’s day, he grieved at his nation’s disregard for God. They had become idolatrous and immoral. It broke Jeremiah’s heart, as he loved his homeland of Judah. He pleaded with them to repent, and to turn back to God, or judgment was surely going to come upon them, but they refused.

Jeremiah was taken to the most difficult crossroad, and a decision had to be made. Did he love his country or God more? We know he chose correctly, as he loved God above everything. But with this decision comes great grief and great responsibility - he needed to boldly take a message from God to them, knowing that their hardened hearts wouldn’t receive it…

Jeremiah knew that NOTHING but truly knowing God, could save this nation now… he spoke a message from God to them… “But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly KNOW Me, and understand that I AM the Lord who demonstrates unfailing LOVE, and who brings JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 9:24)

Judah was destroyed as was prophesied. Their refusal to repent of their sin signed their own death certificate. God is a God of forgiveness and mercy, but if a nation laughs at Him in rebellion, and continues in their immorality, God will let it be destroyed. He brings justice where He wanted to bring forgiveness. And where rampant sin was, He will restore righteousness.

Friends, we’re watching our nations repeat Judah’s mistake. As God calls for repentance, the nations boast in full-term and post-birth infanticide. They take pride in their pride parades; in the remaking of what marriage is, in what a girl is, or a boy is, and proudly flaunt that the family unit is unnecessary, as the government institutions should raise the children. “God won’t be mocked. What man sows, that will he also reap.” Judgment is near. May we, like Jeremiah, remember that our individual faithfulness to God is seen, and though our hearts may grieve as the nations fall to ruins, “His steadfast love to us never fails, and Great is His faithfulness.”

In this we have HOPE.

The Lord has spoken it.