Monday Reflection \u2013 October 04, 2021
Full Hundred<\/p>\n\n\n
For they have turned their backs to me, and not their faces. But in the time of their trouble they say, \u201cCome and save us!\u201d Jeremiah 2:27<\/p>\n\n\n
I recall learning this important gem while I was in high school \u2013 sow a thought, reap a deed; sow a deed, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. I sincerely and deeply believe these words are true. Who we are and what we do begin with a thought in our minds. The reality is clear that when we sow good thoughts and nurture them, we form a good character and reap a blessed destiny. On the contrary, when we sow bad thoughts and such are nurtured, our character is bad and our destiny deserved. Admittedly, we have good and bad thoughts, but it is what we nurture and practice consistently that matters. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
In Jeremiah 2, the Weeping Prophet addresses Israel, a people whose sinful ways had become so astonishingly grave. They were rebellious and unashamed of their evil and corrupt ways. They were ungrateful for all God had done for them, and pursued idol gods with unrestraint. Israel had developed the habit of disobedience to God and this was clearly reflected in their character. God describes such behaviour as shameful.<\/p>\n\n\n
In today\u2019s text, God accuses His people of turning their backs to him and not their faces. I find this a very striking imagery with some serious lessons. I visualize the image of a human body with the face and back in the same direction. It is not a full turn, but one that depicts half-heartedness and lack of fulsome commitment. We should know that God accepts only all; nothing short of full commitment or none at all. God will not compete with idol gods, so that our yes to Him must be only to Him and to no one or nothing else. The sooner we learn this, the better for us. Many of us may think God is pleased with our commitment to Him without realizing that He is not, because our desires are also elsewhere. We get caught up with the material things of the world and with ourselves that are competing for our attention.<\/p>\n\n\n
The imagery also conveys a deep sense of hypocrisy. The faces are turned to God as if to say, \u201cIt\u2019s all about you God\u201d, but the heart and desires are focused elsewhere. We should know that God knows all things, and nothing can be hidden from Him. We can\u2019t trick God or play with God, for as someone said, \u201cGod ramp (play) ruff\u201d. God demands truth and sincerity. The people of Israel did not turn their faces away from him because they wanted to call on God when they were in trouble, hoping that God will see the gravity of their situation imprinted on their faces and run to their rescue. God knows that His people would reject useless idolatry when the crises of life came, for they were of no help in the\u00a0time\u00a0of\u00a0trouble. Yet in that day, God would be justified to ask: \u201cWhere are your gods that you have made for yourselves?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
God beckons to us everyday to reject the world and turn completely to Him. To give Him our full hundred and offer our best in service to Him. When we turn away, we should quickly and sincerely repent and commit to be better and do better. Let\u2019s strive to live always to the glory of God. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
Jermaine Gibson\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monday Reflection \u2013 October 04, 2021 Full Hundred For they have turned their backs to me, and not their faces. But in the time of their trouble they say, \u201cCome and save us!\u201d Jeremiah 2:27 I recall learning this important gem\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[13],"class_list":["post-631","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-christian-living"],"yoast_head":"\n