August 8

Jeremiah 7-9
One can almost feel the Lord’s tears as he laments over the people who have turned against Him.  He sees the lip service and the external forms of worship, and it saddens Him that there is nothing internal.  He looks for the circumcision of the heart and doesn’t find it.  It’s interesting that in this section God extends the borders beyond Israel and Judah to include all nations.  Even at this time, God is recognizing all people of all nations as His very own.  It has always been His desire to have a relationship with everyone.  To share in His fellowship through the acceptance of His terms is nothing short of fantastic!  His will and way is not grievous.  Rather, it is just an extension of the joy He has planned from the beginning.  Many refuse to follow the Lord because they believe it will be difficult, that they will be giving up the finer things of life.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  From the very beginning, any law or command that God has established will only make our lives better if we follow them.  His commands are for our benefit, to improve our quality of life.  To live in Christ is to enjoy freedom from the bondage of sin and Satan, to have life and have it more abundantly!