JEREMIAH 8:1-3

What we are facing today is often a series of consequences arising from the choices we have made in life. As people of faith, we make these choices solely within the framework of His commandments. Thus, a wrong choice is one that places us on the side opposed to His commandments and decrees. 

Unfortunately, it was that path which the people of Judah chose. From the very beginning, God did not want His people to be divided in their allegiance. God alone is to be worshipped and must take precedence in the lives of His children; yet, sadly, Judah chose to set up other gods alongside Him. Amidst the crisis looming over Judah, they sought strength from other powers. The gods of other nations were placed in the Temple. Indeed, in verses 31–34 we see how they offered sacrifices to the gods they worshipped. 

Amidst this situation, God upheld His justice. The Lord is indeed Most Merciful, but He is also Most Just. What Judah did was a violation of His decrees, which had been upheld since the time of Israel’s forefathers. Thus, in very plain language, God proclaimed the judgement that befell Judah. Not with the intention of destroying, but to instruct and show His people the way.

At this time, we learn to continue striving to obey Him and to love the Lord with our whole being. That obedience is reflected in the life choices we make every day. Do we prioritise God and all His will, or do we choose to follow our desires and create idols in our lives? Let us not find ourselves on the wrong side, for God’s way of teaching His children is sometimes very harsh.