READING:
One-year plan: Jeremiah 15-19, 2 Timothy 1
Two-year plan: 2 Kings 6:24-8:15, John 9:35-41
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I know that the basic truth of this devotion is simple — one that most of us already know. Nevertheless, I think it’s a word all of us need to hear over and over again. Jeremiah warned God’s people that the enemy would hunt them down in God’s judgment, and they could not hide from His justice. Indeed, God said, “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes” (Jer 16:17). He knew their sin, and all their efforts to keep that information from God were futile.
In fact, the Lord said these words to His people: “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind” (Jer 17:10). Given that these words follow the conclusion that the human heart is “deceitful above all things” (Jer 17:9), I’m reminded of just how foolish we can be at times. We sin and then assume we somehow get away with our wrong, convincing ourselves that God’s not watching. Sure, we know better, but the way we act suggests otherwise: why would we continue to do what we do if we truly believe that God sees it all? On and on the excuses roll from a heart that is indeed deceitful.
Our only hope? The grace of God who redeems and restores His people to Himself. He disciplines us in our sin so He might break us from that bondage. His name is magnified when we return to Him in brokenness and repentance.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you live with the recognition that God sees all?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, stop me from listening to my deceitful heart.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Jeremiah 20-23, 2 Timothy 2
Two-year plan: 8:16-9:37, John 10:1-21
*portions first published in 2019