Just One

O. T. #1739  "Just One"
July 22, 2020
Jeremiah 5
"Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and look now, and take note. And seek in her open squares, if you can find a man, if there is one who does justice, who seeks truth. Then I will pardon her." (verse 1, NAS)

LET IT GLOW

There have been so many people down through history who made a difference and changed history. And most of them did it just one person at a time. We can think of scientists, explorers, preachers, presidents, kings, and leaders that fit into that category.

From Genesis to Revelation, we see God's hand on the lives of individuals who thought and said and did what was right-regardless-and as a result, history was made. (Swindoll)

God gave Jeremiah what seemed to be an easy assignment-if he could find just one person that executed judgment (divine law; justice) and seeks truth (faith), then God would pardon and forgive Jerusalem.
Surely there was one who lived by God's laws and had faith in the God of Judah. Apparently, there was not even one such person to be found in the streets of Jerusalem. How sad. What a rebellious people they were.

We might think about those who were faithful to Jehovah-Jeremiah and Baruch his secretary, those who hid them from Jehoiakim, and Ebed-melech the Ethiopian. They may not have been in the streets at the time Jeremiah searched for the one.

Are we being the one in our family, in our neighborhood, in our church, in our community, that strives to live for God and lives by faith? Look at the influence Jesus had during His time; Moses and the change brought about for God's people; the disciples and Paul during the New Testament time; and Billy Graham in our world.

Dear one, your influence as one Christian can bring hope to others, so stay faithful.


LET IT GROW

The wickedness of Judah is seen in her attitude of ingratitude. They were not thankful for the food which God provided for them. The rains and sunshine for the crops to grow came from their God. Since the people were ungrateful for what God did for them, we read of the results in verse 25:
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.

If only Judah had turned from idol worship and turned to God in repentance, they would not have been taken away into a foreign land and Jerusalem would not have been destroyed along with the Temple.

So, how is our daily gratitude? There is so much that God provides for us that we take for granted, at least I do.

LET IT GO

Thank You, Father God for salvation, protection, food, medications, air conditioning, my family, love of others, etc.