Backsliding

O. T. #1735  "Backsliding"
July 16, 2020
Jeremiah 2-Part 3
Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that My fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of Hosts. (verse 19)

LET IT GLOW

Have you been refreshed at the fountain of living waters-Jesus Christ? He is our source of love, freedom from the chains of sin, and our hope.

Take a look at verse 20a, NLT, Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you said, 'I will not serve you.'

God broke the yoke of slavery that oppressed Israel in Egypt and tore away the chains of their slavery.

Does anything have us in a yoke like the oxen were connected together to pull a heavy load?

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

 Does an addiction, bad habit, or bad attitude keep you down? Or maybe one of your loved ones?  Are you in chains financially, in a relationship, or a job? Ask Jesus to set you free. He may not remove the problem, but can help you carry the load. It may be a matter of attitude about the situation that needs to change.

LET IT GROW

What is God telling Judah and us in verse 20?
* Your wickedness will bring its own correction/punishment.
* Your backslidings (apostasy-renunciation of religious faith) turning from God will shame you.
* You see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon the LORD your God and not to fear Him.

There were numerous defections, turning away from the God of Israel in Scripture. Jeremiah repeats this recurring theme some 13 times in his book, as well as it found in other Scriptures four times.(Falwell)


Think it over and see how evil and bitter it is for you to abandon the LORD your God and have no fear of Him. (Life Application Study Bible)

Sadly,  we know how it turned out for Israel-the spent 70 years in captivity in Babylon. The point Jeremiah was making was that they brought this on themselves.

We must continuously be on guard against temptations of sin and backsliding away from faith in God. Dear one, do not allow your small sin nor the sin of others to take you down the road of backsliding. Stay closely walking with Jesus day in and day out. Keep your spiritual eyes and ears open to the schemes Satan uses to tempt us away from Jesus.

LET IT GO
Keep me yoked to You, King Jesus.
Be our rest for our weary souls.