“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,’ says the LORD.
Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I set watchmen over you, saying, Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet! But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’” – Jeremiah 6:13-17
This was written by the prophet Jeremiah 2,650 years ago…but I hope you hear and see the similarity with today. Everyone is greedy, even the prophet and the priest…so much greed…so much pride…so much self-reliance…so much seeking control over others… so much …that no one is trustworthy. And that is “good news”!
The passage tells us that everyone around us seeks to fix the greatest problems even those things that seek to cheat death with a “band aid”…saying everything is fine go about your business as if nothing is wrong because; “You can trust me…nothing is!” When they haven’t a clue what they are talking about. And that is “good news”!
This passage also talks about all the scandals that have been publically and privately committed that most are not being held accountable for…and really don’t care about because they figure they are either better than everyone because of their position or…they are above the law. It is not just the authorities above us but it is even filtering down to the “regular” people. The spiritual and physical adultery seen in holding on to our private idols as we pursue the unhealthy agenda of personal freedoms describe through abortion, identity and a new definition of equity abound in the “rank and file”. No one is ashamed of such abhorrent positions anymore. “They were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush.” And everyone who is struggling wonders, Why? But for those who are watching and listening, this is “good news”!
Then there is the open refusal before God’s face, “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’… We will not pay attention.’” While so many sins can remain hidden these are the worst. Shaking your fist at God and telling Him “NO!” reveals a person’s heart quicker than anything else. And God decree is the same as it has been since the Fall of Man, “Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,’ says the LORD.” But interestingly enough this also is “good news”!
How is all of this bad news … “good news”? And what are we to do with all of this going on around us?
First of all, it is “good news” because we can obviously see that men can’t be trusted with the things in life that really affect our health and happiness…just as God has said and shown from the very beginning. When we put more trust in people and institutions than God Himself we will get burned. We will be caught up in similar misery all because we want to do things our way or the way of someone else. (Think Psalm 1:1-2) In fact, it is through the pain and struggle that God teaches us just as He is seeking to do here …giving Jerusalem yet another opportunity to repent…and those who are His will… though by this time some of the fire of God will affect them as well… as a consequence for their foolishness, selfishness and unholy behaviors.
Secondly, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient (old) paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls… I set watchmen over you, saying, Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!” I hope the answer to how we navigate all of the sinfulness in our midst (along with our own) is clear…for it is meant to be. The answer has always been the same and always will be the same. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Only “in Christ” can we find rest in this weary land from the sin being flung at us…from the sin we struggle with each day. Only “in Christ” can we even begin to pay attention to the trumpets for they are being prepared to be blown as you read this…today, tomorrow, 2000 years from now…Christ wants us to be ready and in Him we are and can be…because He is that ancient path/ old road… for salvation has been the same since Adam and Eve.
Whether it is the Old Testament or the New, God’s Word is one and it is absolutely true.
God Bless y’all today.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
