Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – Jeremiah 2:26 (NLT) – Verse of the Day Reflection with Pastor Bob

Jeremiah 2:26 (NLT)
26 “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets— all are alike in this.

What defines someone as a thief?  If you steal a paperclip from work, are you a thief?  Should you go to jail?  Should you be shamed before your family and the community?  What if you REALLY needed the paperclip and you would have asked if someone had been around?  What if it was a stapler, or a desk chair, or a laptop?  In a world where many define truth and morality as relative to a particular situation, oftentimes, we can justify our wrong actions.  But what happens when God defines what we do as wrong.  The prophet Jeremiah is given the word to share with Judah and Israel that they are like a thief, only ashamed of what they do when caught  This holds true from the king to the prophets, to the people.  The moral rot is pervasive from root to stem.  As a result, Jeremiah tells Judah that they are going into exile for a long while, until they can once again understand who God is.  They have been caught, and now the Lord will show the world who they are, a thief coveting false gods.  Israel does repent, and returns home to Israel after 70 years.  That’s a long time away.  Are we thieves?  Does God consider our nation or the world thieves?  Do we seek after false gods?  The answer is definitely yes in terms of us as a nation, and the Western world itself.  The mockery of Christianity at the Olympics had little repercussion from athletes or governments.  A non-apology was offered, and readily accepted.  Those who watch the View might have heard Whoopi Goldberg tell those who were offended to just turn off their televisions, whereas if it was a cause she endorsed, she would regard that as an outrageous suggestion.  Yet, it was meant to offend, so let us 1) not be offended, 2) understand that they are thieves seeking after false gods, and 3) Instead share with those who are, the love and truth of Jesus Christ.  In that way, we stand firm for what we believe, despite what others do, or even the nations do.  We can stop the thievery by offering freely the joy of the Gospel.  Peace and Blessings, Pastor Bob

In the Love of Jesus Christ, Pastor Bob – church

pastorbobtitus@gmail.com, (412) 520-5407